Meet
Vanessa
Home place
Northeast Texas, USA
Why I Ride
I ride for so many reasons, but the greatest reasons are for a healthy mind, clarity, and pain management – or perhaps, tolerance.
What I Ride
Trek Madone sl-r 6, Trek Supercaliber 9.9
Favourite Race so far
24 Hours in the Canyon Slicks & Knobbies. This is the only event I get to ride both my road and MTB, plus its a giant fundraiser that provides amazing resources to cancer survivors. The race director and his crew have done amazing things with involving the community, raising awareness and funding for cancer survivors to improve their quality of life, and highlighting the second largest canyon system in the United States.
An endurance highlight
The Florida 500, 2024. This was my longest effort (by 230 miles) and first RAAM style event. I know I could have completed the distance several hours faster, but I met my primary goal of completing the distance and qualifying for RAAM. My fueling was on point, I had not cramping, no catastrophic events, and my crew was on point.
My most challenging moment
24 Hours in the Canyon 2022. (This was just a hard year: had hypothermia in February; mauled by dogs in March; fractured tibia in July and again in September riding mountain unicycle) I became hypothermic, lost all of my power, and began vomiting at mile 90. Crossed the time station to transition to MTB, but it didn’t register my chip and had to go back 15 minutes later just to vomit in front of everyone. I lost five hours of racing, but managed to get back on the MTB and pulled first place female. I learned a lot from this effort and really the year as a whole.
What I tell myself to keep the bike moving forward
This really depends on the current goal. During races I like to remind myself it’s easier than trying to deal with my ex-husband or worker’s compensation insurance.
Racing or Riding Goals
The Great Himalayan Ultra 900km, RAAM 2027 solo, and hopefully reviving NCOM
What endurance teaches me
Patience. I’ve developed a skill of developing long term goals and understanding how the immediate future impacts meeting a goal several years away. I’ve also developed skills to help work through burnout and boredom.
Favourite treat-food on the bike
Apples.