Real name: Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz, so I’ve just accepted it!

Where do you live? Park City, UT

Explanation of your handle: The spousal unit started calling me Dr. Liz when he first realized that I had a few extra letters stuck on after my name (this was long before we got married), and hasn’t ever stopped. As an aside, with my married name, the Dr. ‘Married Name’ makes me sound like a baddie in a James Bond movie….

Age (general or specific): 35 (when did that happen? Last time I looked I was like 23 or something…)

Occupation: Officially I’m a research associate faculty person. In actually, I am the Queen of Tasks That No One Else Wants to Do. In my Real Life, I’m a wanna-be ski racer. I just started racing Masters a couple of years ago and am having a ball. The spouse convinced me that biking would be good off-season training. (And being me, I’m now thinking triathalons might be sort of fun… )

Favorite bike: At the moment, I’ve only got one – my very first bike (well, first since the Schwinn that I had when I was six that had red and white streamers on the handlebars). It’s a Motobecane that the spouse got for me new on eBay for cheap. It’s actually a really good bike, but a little heavy, so I’m looking into something else.

What's in your stable? The Motobecane, and (as I have just been informed) my husband’s compact frame Guru. The LBS guys are certain I will fit perfectly on the bike, and it will be much lighter. And won’t cost me anything, other than the fitting!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? When? I’m new to this whole bike thing – I just started two and a half months ago, and speed is not exactly my thing. I think my all time fastest is coming down from Deer Valley into Park City, when I topped out at 34.6 mph. And I was scared to death. I’m sure I’ll get used to this speed thing eventually (especially since the spouse cruises down hills at 45+ mph – but then he raced as a teenager, and has been on and off bikes his entire life). I hope.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: The biggest? Erm. I’m not sure. But the most recent was ‘sorry I didn’t respond to your email, I’ve been swamped with work’ (when, in fact, I skipped out to go for a bike ride…the same lie works equally well when ski season rolls around).

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I came to an intersection and was able to actually clip out of the pedals confidently, and come to a stop without falling over. Since I had had MANY failed attempts (and luckily very many understanding people in cars who didn’t run over the chick who just ended up on the ground…), it was thrilling!

Most fun ever had on a bike? It’s hard to say. I’ve had a lot of nice rides that go through some really pretty (although really hilly) alpine areas. I live in such a beautiful spot that every ride that doesn’t involve idiots on the road is a fun one!

Oh, and pictures? This was taken on one of our local hill climbs by DH. The clothes are an eBay special, and quite comfortable! The bike is the Motobecane.



BTW, thanks for all your great tips! The DH has been riding forever, and doesn't seem to quite understand some of the 'issues' that the new, female rider experiences. You guys (in the general, gender-neutral sense, of course!) are fantastic!!!! Thanks!!!

(I keep editing this as I update my profile...) The avatar is from a race at Grand Targhee last year. Yes, that is a knee brace on my leg (ACL replacement 2 years ago after going 10 years without an ACL).... And the 'Powered by Rossignol' thing is a tribute to my main ski racing sponsor - Rossignol has been extremely generous to me (mostly because of the efforts of the spouse), and I like to give them credit whenever possible.