Ibex recently had the pleasure of catching up with one of the athletes we sponsor on Team Swell, based in Bend, Oregon. Serena Bishop Gordon has been riding cyclocross for four years and is not only nailing top finishes, but she's also busy saving the world at the same time. Check out Part One of our interview here.
Read on for the inside scoop on how we can all grow to love cross - from astride a bike or a beach chair on the sidelines.
We like your style, SBG. Here's to a great season!
(....continued from Part One)
IQ: Do you train off the bike, considering cyclocross has a lot of running, jumping, beer drinking, etc?
SBG: The majority of my training is on the bike, although I do incorporate a bit of running into my fall training plan. If you can charge up a steep hill with your bike on your shoulder faster than the other girl, you might just take a "W" or move up a couple places in the results. If you can't lift you knees and get your butt up that hill, if might cost you the race. You don't have to run for long, but you have to run and if you can keep your heart rate down while doing it, you are going to be in a much better place when you remount and start pushing the pedals again.
I am also a huge advocate of yoga. Good for the body and the mind.
IQ: For the newbie, what will likely surprise them about their first CX event?
SBG: For the new racers: you are not alone. There will be a lot of people out there who are new to the sport (and have no idea what they are doing). For the new spectators: cowbells, silly costumes, crazy heckling, and a beer. A lot of beer!
IQ: For the more experienced, what was your "key" to jump to the "next level" of competition?
SBG: Great question, I'm working on finding the answer. Racing with women faster, stronger, more experienced than you is a great way to increase your speed, confidence and competitive edge. Get a coach, do what they say, and understand that the development of an athlete doesn't happen overnight. Hard work leads to incremental improvements. You have to celebrate each of these improvements. Maybe it is a great workout or a couple of places higher in your local race. It is important to have lofty, dreamy goals, but is also important to have attainable goals that let you celebrate accomplishments a long the way.
IQ: I have a mad crush on all things cyclocross, but I can't swing another bike right now. What's the best way to get into the sport equipment-wise? (In other words, do I risk too much damage to my road bike, if I just put on some knobby tires and hit the dirt? Any other suggestions?)
SBG: The width of tires used in cross won't fit through the brakes of most road bikes, so putting fat tires on your road bike probably isn't a good option. Putting skinny tires on your mountain bike is a better option. Better yet, you can probably pick up a decent, used cross bike for $400-600. It won't be made of carbon or come with tubular wheels, but it will get you on the course and having fun.
IQ: What's the deal with Belgian waffles and cyclocross?
SBG: Cyclocross has its roots in Europe. Belgium is in Europe. Belgian waffles are from Belgium. Like beer, Belgian waffles taste good, go down smooth, and warm you up on a cold autumn day. Plus, you can put Nutella on them. What's not to like?
IQ: Shameless plug: What are favorite Ibex pieces to wear for training? Post-training?
SBG: For training: Woolies Sleeveless, Balance Sports Bra, El Fito (for when it gets really chilly), and the Zepher Beanie (fits well under a helmet).
Post-training: Izzi Pant (although I lent mine to my sister and she won't give them back!), the Tuck Vest; and I am coveting the FT Hoody Dress.
IQ: With humility in knowing this is far from comprehensive, what else am I missing that the Ibex crowd would like to know...about you or cyclocross or life?
SBG: I dream of being one of the fastest women on a cross bike in the USA. But, dreams are not goals.
Fabian Cancellara was quoted last winter saying "Dreaming is important, but sometimes dreams are never reality. Maybe one day the dream will be different and goals will change. But for now I want to reach my goals. Maybe once all my current goals are in my pocket maybe then I can convert that dream to a goal,"
I am setting goals, hoping one day, my dream will be my goal and I will achieve it.
Thanks, SBG. Rock on! If you'd like to read more from Serena, check out her blog at: www.serenarides.com.
photo credit: Matthew Lasala (Lasala Images)
Read on for the inside scoop on how we can all grow to love cross - from astride a bike or a beach chair on the sidelines.
We like your style, SBG. Here's to a great season!
(....continued from Part One)
IQ: Do you train off the bike, considering cyclocross has a lot of running, jumping, beer drinking, etc?
SBG: The majority of my training is on the bike, although I do incorporate a bit of running into my fall training plan. If you can charge up a steep hill with your bike on your shoulder faster than the other girl, you might just take a "W" or move up a couple places in the results. If you can't lift you knees and get your butt up that hill, if might cost you the race. You don't have to run for long, but you have to run and if you can keep your heart rate down while doing it, you are going to be in a much better place when you remount and start pushing the pedals again.
I am also a huge advocate of yoga. Good for the body and the mind.
IQ: For the newbie, what will likely surprise them about their first CX event?
SBG: For the new racers: you are not alone. There will be a lot of people out there who are new to the sport (and have no idea what they are doing). For the new spectators: cowbells, silly costumes, crazy heckling, and a beer. A lot of beer!
IQ: For the more experienced, what was your "key" to jump to the "next level" of competition?
SBG: Great question, I'm working on finding the answer. Racing with women faster, stronger, more experienced than you is a great way to increase your speed, confidence and competitive edge. Get a coach, do what they say, and understand that the development of an athlete doesn't happen overnight. Hard work leads to incremental improvements. You have to celebrate each of these improvements. Maybe it is a great workout or a couple of places higher in your local race. It is important to have lofty, dreamy goals, but is also important to have attainable goals that let you celebrate accomplishments a long the way.
IQ: I have a mad crush on all things cyclocross, but I can't swing another bike right now. What's the best way to get into the sport equipment-wise? (In other words, do I risk too much damage to my road bike, if I just put on some knobby tires and hit the dirt? Any other suggestions?)
SBG: The width of tires used in cross won't fit through the brakes of most road bikes, so putting fat tires on your road bike probably isn't a good option. Putting skinny tires on your mountain bike is a better option. Better yet, you can probably pick up a decent, used cross bike for $400-600. It won't be made of carbon or come with tubular wheels, but it will get you on the course and having fun.
IQ: What's the deal with Belgian waffles and cyclocross?
SBG: Cyclocross has its roots in Europe. Belgium is in Europe. Belgian waffles are from Belgium. Like beer, Belgian waffles taste good, go down smooth, and warm you up on a cold autumn day. Plus, you can put Nutella on them. What's not to like?
IQ: Shameless plug: What are favorite Ibex pieces to wear for training? Post-training?
SBG: For training: Woolies Sleeveless, Balance Sports Bra, El Fito (for when it gets really chilly), and the Zepher Beanie (fits well under a helmet).
Post-training: Izzi Pant (although I lent mine to my sister and she won't give them back!), the Tuck Vest; and I am coveting the FT Hoody Dress.
IQ: With humility in knowing this is far from comprehensive, what else am I missing that the Ibex crowd would like to know...about you or cyclocross or life?
SBG: I dream of being one of the fastest women on a cross bike in the USA. But, dreams are not goals.
Fabian Cancellara was quoted last winter saying "Dreaming is important, but sometimes dreams are never reality. Maybe one day the dream will be different and goals will change. But for now I want to reach my goals. Maybe once all my current goals are in my pocket maybe then I can convert that dream to a goal,"
I am setting goals, hoping one day, my dream will be my goal and I will achieve it.
Thanks, SBG. Rock on! If you'd like to read more from Serena, check out her blog at: www.serenarides.com.
photo credit: Matthew Lasala (Lasala Images)
