Where is your home base, Kimmi?

Whitwell, TN

What type of races do you enjoy?

Mountain Biking

What have been your 5 race highlights so far?

• Coming in 5th place at Pick Your Poison a couple years ago after not having raced for almost ten years.
• Racing on my birthday in Miami. It was March 3, I turned 33, and came in 3rd 🙂 Funny moment: while in the second place spot my friend (who is lightning fast) telling the other girl behind me she didn’t want to pass me on my birthday.
• During a race in Santos, I tried to pass a clydesdale rider – with his permission of course. I clipped a tree with my handlebar and fell against the guy! He held me up until the trail opened up and he could push me off. I rode away yelling “Soorrrryyyyy!!!” while he was laughing.

What is a cycling dream of yours?

Go on a bike adventure. I’ve had friends tour in other countries or in the US and it looks like so much fun! We went to Whistler in Canada back in 2006 and it was such a wonderful experience. I’d love to either go back there or try somewhere new. There’s also the indoor park in Ohio.

What is your favorite place to be around Chattanooga?

There’s too many to choose from!!

What has been your best moment on the bike so far this year?

Riding my new mountain bike… first new bike in over 10 years 🙂

What is the first cycling memory you have?

Trying to ride my dad’s bike, which was way too big for me. I had to use the neighbor’s fence to climb up on it 🙂

Why do you like to ride & work-out with other women?

I learned to ride with men, and it’s different with women. Women are willing to stop at an obstacle and work with you until you’re comfortable. I have a fear of man-made obstacles (teeter-totters especially), and my friends stood on either side assuring me they wouldn’t let me fall. They wouldn’t move until I tried, and I rode it successfully on the first try! Mainly because I was afraid I would squash them if I fell on them 🙂

What has been your best moment with the Velo Vixens so far?

Learning to ride on the boulders… er, rock garden out at White Oak with Ginger 🙂

What is your favorite piece of Gear?

My ergo hand grips. Anytime I ride a bike that doesn’t have them, my hands hurt.

What is your advice for a future Vixen?

Having a community of women who are as excited as your sport as you are is awesome! This is an amazing group who are about community, education, encouragement and fun.