Women on Bikes SoCal August/September 2013

I have always been passionate about fitness and helping others achieve life their life goals through fitness. I am very interested in starting a non-profit group that will assist underserved communities in the areas of fitness and making better choices when it comes to health.

I love riding my bike and running as far as my legs can take me.

I fell in love with cycling the moment I road my bike 50 miles in December of 2004. Since then, I’ve increased my love for cycling and have accomplished many goals. In October of 2009, I completed the Triple Crown (3 double centuries in one year), in 2010, I road my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles.  Today, I share my passion with others helping them to reach their fitness goals by advocating cycling, running, and other fitness activities through my facebook page. I also had the privilege of participating in the Women on Bikes movement by assisting Elizabeth Williams of Cali Bike Tours teach women about bicycle road safety.  I want to continue efforts like these.  I believe my strong desire to help people and passion about exercise will help spread this movement.

Additionally, as a student of University of Phoenix and a member of Toastmasters International, I have developed strong speaking and teaching skills. I am very comfortable in front of people and my smile puts all around me at ease. 

Although I am not a member any bicycle advocacy groups, I am a member of two cycling clubs, Crankin’ Time and Major Motion, which both have a strong presence in the cities of Los Angeles and Compton. 

Like many 20-somethings I’ve met recently, I got back on a bicycle again for the first time since childhood. Bicycles were part of our youth, and sadly, we outgrew them. I stopped playing outside and traded grass stains and scraped knees for shopping malls, movie theaters, internet access, and my first car. I relied heavily on parents and friends to drive me around until I could finally get behind the wheel. Public transit was not an option due to my parents’ concerns about safety and walking around alone, and frankly, riding buses weren’t appealing. For years, I held on to the belief that public transit was not for me.

My mindset began to change as I got older. The long drive to work on the west side of Los Angeles from my San Gabriel Valley neighborhood 40 miles away was unpleasant and costly. Even with carpools, smartphone traffic apps, mastering several alternate routes, and fellow commuters encouraging me to accept this lifestyle, being in traffic for four hours each day was not the urban adventure I wanted.

I eventually replaced the unpredictable rush hour drive with a mellow Metrolink ride connecting me to the frenzied Metro system to take me across town. This transition wasn’t easy, and it took a while for me to get into a rhythm—or simply to get to work on time without feeling too stressed or flustered by the trek to the office. Using transit became simpler and more enjoyable. It changed my life, and I want to pass that on, so I created my walking events. The event combines different modes of transit for visiting local landmarks to help women become more familiar with Metro and walking more in different parts of L.A. I want to educate women about transit and make it enjoyable at the same time in order to shift their way of thinking about buses, trains, walking, and soon, biking. If women can adapt alternative forms of travel occasionally or regularly, they can positively impact their health, families, and communities. A little bit of empowerment goes a long way. This is the kind of message I’m sharing through Women on Bikes SoCal.

Thanks to the scholarship, I have the opportunity to help myself and others to increase their confidence, knowledge, and skills on the road, through bike rides, social media and blogs. If this San Gabriel Valley girl can get back on her bike again and take these wheels beyond my cul-de-sac at my own pace, with my own style, and on my own terms, I know many others can, too!

My passion is anything bicycle  related. I am a bike commuter and travel about 12 miles to and from work. I try as much to actively participate in all events that help promote the use of bicycles. I volunteer with Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Amgen Tour of California, Bicycle Film Festival and Midnight Ridazz events. My interest include volunteering, music, photography and of course bicycles.

I have supervisory skills and experience in a guest services environment so I would able to use that to help me teach and coach about the uses of a bicycle. I am best known throughout my work, family and friends as a bike advocate and try my best to teach friends and family how to learn to ride a bicycle and simple bicycle repairs. I assist friends to be actively involved in events that help promote the use of bicycles and other recreational activities to be more physically active.  I want to keep being part of this community that has done nothing but exposed to me to positive people and has me leading a healthier, happier life with a confident attitude. If chosen, I would be sharing my experience and knowledge to other women around my community.

I am very excited to be applying for this. As soon as I read about this scholarship program, I immediately knew this was a great way for me to try to give back more than what I’ve already gained as a bicyclist.  I will still continue to try my best to be more of a positive inspiration and motivator.