Editor’s Note: After trying a local bike race in her hometown of Moscow, Idaho, Ginger sought out and joined our women’s team in 2021. Despite the distance, Ginger is one of our most active and engaged members with a passion for community service that exemplifies our team’s mission statement.
Q: When and how did you take up cycling?
I have always been an active and outdoorsy person, but I didn’t start cycling until I met my husband. He is an avid cyclist and he introduced me to mountain and road biking starting in 2018. I’m an older beginner — my first time on a mountain bike was when I was 36 years old, and the road bike followed the next year! I immediately fell in love with the sport and quickly started riding every chance I could.
Q: How did you find/decide to join Spokeswomen Racing?
As my interest in cycling grew, I began searching for more women with whom to ride, and I wanted to try bike racing. I wanted to find a group that did both, but here on the Palouse the riding scene is quite small, and a dedicated group of bike race-focused women just doesn’t exist. Again, my husband encouraged me to look for a team outside our area and he actually found the Spokeswomen team online. The team was everything I was looking for – women supporting women, racing-focused, and a commitment to social action. I was overjoyed when I was accepted to the team despite being so far away!
Q: What is the cycling community like in a small town in rural WA/Idaho? Are there many other female cyclists? What are the local racing opportunities, if any?
The cycling community here is wonderful but small. There are only a handful of women who ride on a regular basis, and even fewer who race. The nearest races are usually Spokane, which is almost 100 miles away! This year the local cyclocross scene almost went away, although I was able to put on four rides/informal races to keep it going. It’s a challenge to get to races many are three, or usually four or more, hours away. We do have some of the best gravel and mountain trails I could dream of, and in some ways the smaller community is nice – there are many days I’m the only one on the mountain! It’s like our own private trails.
Q: Tell us about your day job. Community service seems to be an integral part of your life.
I work as the education director for a local church, which sounds a lot more “religious” than it actually is. My role puts social action and community service at its heart, and my main objective is to create loving and sustaining community. I run several groups that aim at supporting families, especially those in struggle or crisis, supporting local food programs, even giving away warm weather gear to anyone in need. We host a homeless family shelter, a free food pantry, and this fall we acted as a warming shelter and food reclamation center during a community crisis. I spend a lot of my time helping our children and youth find ways to support these causes as well.
Q: How did you get involved coaching youth mountain biking?
I was riding one day and encountered the youth team on the mountain. Seeing all these young kids out there really inspired me, and I asked the head coach right then and there how I could be part of it. I started coaching with the team the next spring and it was amazing – these kids are so excited, so dedicated, and so eager to learn. Plus they learn so quickly!! I feel so lucky to help young riders find their joy and passion on bikes. I’m now a level 2 Washington Student League coach and have three seasons under me. My son is now old enough and just finished his first season! I love seeing him and his friends out there loving bikes and the outdoors.
Q: What kinds of challenges have you overcome to enjoy cycling and bike racing?
Simply believing I could race was one of the biggest hurdles I faced. I never thought I could find the courage to put myself out there. Despite being somewhat (really) competitive by nature, I thought I was too old, too slow, too anything. A friend of mine suggested I try cyclocross and the first race I tried got me hooked! I had never smiled so much on a bike. From there I started to race more seriously.
Another challenge that I have is balancing family, work and riding. I have an almost 12 year old and full time job, which of course takes a lot of my energy and time. I love being a mom and have found that letting go of a “perfect” training schedule has allowed me to enjoy riding more, and it has also allowed me to be a better parent and spouse.
I have also had a few injuries that have forced me to look at my training and body in new ways. My injuries gave me the motivation and perspective to bring Pilates and cross training into my weekly training sessions. Pilates has been a huge positive change for my mind, my strength, and mobility! I had a hysterectomy recently, but I am hoping to come back even stronger this spring.
Q: What are your 2024 goals?
My biggest excitement is the Spokane 24 hr race on Memorial Day weekend! I’m heading up the Spokeswomen Recreational team, which is going to be a team of up to 10 women riding at a fun, more relaxed pace. It will be perfect for beginners or those just wanting the experience of the 24 hr race. It will be a blast!
spokeswomenracing.com 