I'm very lucky that my mom is my biggest role model and supporter. She was out riding centuries when I was in high school and I had no idea how cool she was then. She got me and one of my sisters into cross country skiing, she's flown down to florida to run the 7 mile bridge race with one of my other sisters. She is just incredibly supportive of the whole lot of us when it comes to any athletic adventure. In fact, she has all of our pictures on her fridge with a little note that says "Team Sturdy Women."

As for my own cycling, I started because my BF convinced me that it was something we could do together and it would keep me in shape year round. Well, almost as soon as I started cycling, he decided to take up tennis instead

He's still a bike rep, so it will always be a huge thing in our household, but it's funny that as soon as I passed him in mileage this summer he lost interest in riding.

It's a good thing I love riding with the local Bellas and by myself when necessary.

And yes, he totally supports me by asking how my ride was, where did I go and how far, gets me all the cool gear, and even suggested I buy one of the new Look 585 carbon frames that he's repping this year. Hmmm. tempting, but still expensive at half the price!

My friends don't really understand all the time, money and effort that I expend on cycling, but they understand that everyone has their thing.

cheers,
Kate