With bottomless optimism and an incredibly supportive nature, Joy is a pillar of our team. If you’re new to bike racing or just nervous about lining up at the start line, Joy is the team member who is there to talk you through your fears and encourage you along. And when she’s not cheering you on, she’s out tearing up the cyclocross and mountain bike race courses as well. We are so happy to have Joy on our team! Read on to get to know Joy a bit better.
Q: When and how did you take up cycling?
Joy: I’ve enjoyed riding a bike since I was a very young. Riding a bike always gave me a sense of freedom and makes me feel more in tune with myself and my surroundings. I originally used a bike for transportation. But I would always want to ride as fast as I could and beat my previous travel times, and I found myself secretly racing cars and other riders.
Q: How did you find/decide to join Spokeswomen Racing?
Joy: It’s a story of fate I guess😊… When I decided to enter my first season of cyclocross, I wasn’t even thinking about joining a team. I met some really nice ladies that I was competing with and one girl, RJ, told me about this awesome team she had joined, Spokeswomen Racing. She had really great feedback about the team, but I decided not to commit right away. The next season, still flying solo, I was approached by another girl on that same awesome team, Heather. She was very convincing, but I still wasn’t ready to commit. Later on, I was shopping at Goodwill and found a used Spokeswomen jersey! I decided to take that as a sign that I really needed to join this team. I bought the jersey and then attended their next annual Meet the Team road ride, wearing the jersey, which surprised and thrilled everyone. I joined right after that, and I’m really glad I finally did.
Q: We’ve heard rumors about your roller derby racing background. What was that all about?
Joy: Oh yes, a long time ago, I played Roller Derby. My first season was with the Windy City Rollers, just as leagues started to break out across the country. After moving to Seattle, I joined the Rat City Rollergirls. My persona was Seraphina Scorcher. I was quick and sneaky, and I played the position of Jammer, which is the one who has to try to skate past the blockers, which is also the one who tends to get beat up the most – and sometimes I got the crap kicked out of me. Playing roller derby, I indulged in my competitive side, and met some really awesome ladies, some who I still keep in touch with today. I was in my mid 20’s when I started playing, so I was younger than most of the league by 5-10 years, at least. I was very inspired by the athleticism and determination I witnessed from these older ladies. They really changed my outlook on what women are capable of doing.
But weekly practices, monthly Bouts (including set-up) and other duties required to keep the league going were very consuming. Not to mention, there was a lot of stress on my body and on my relationships. I decided to call it quits after being injured for most of my 4th season. Leaving the league was bitter sweet. It was a great experience to be part of something like that, but it took over my life too much. It even took away enjoyment for riding my bike, and that was a real bummer. Going forward, I only want to participate in competitive events that are also lots of fun.
Q: You joined the board recently. What motivated you to take on a leadership role within the team?
Joy: Yes! I decided to join the board because I’m seeking more leadership experience, and I want to hone my skills as a natural leader. I bring to the board a willingness to listen to any and all concerns and relationship building skills. I’m drawn to problem solving and seek to produce harmony and happiness wherever and however I can.
Q: What are your preferred cycling disciplines and why?
Joy: Recently, my preferred cycling discipline is mountain biking. I love being in the woods, and the dirt trails provide fun and interesting terrain that is also challenging. I’ve advanced in my skills enough that I now have a lot more confidence with meeting those fun challenges. I get to use more of my body and when I’m feeling the flow of the trail it’s just like dancing or doing yoga, and I love that feeling! However, cyclocross will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll miss it this year due to Covid.
Editor’s Note: Watch out for Joy on the race course – she’ll both cheer you on AND pass you if you’re not careful. Many thanks to Joy for sharing so much about herself.
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