Rider Spotlight | Wolfpack Hustle

Competitor Spotlight: Asia Morris

April 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, Marathon Crash Race, News, Race Events, Race Results, Rider Spotlight by Sara Bond

At 22 and with only one race under her belt, Asia Morris took third overall in the geared ladies category at the 2013 Marathon Crash Race. Born and raised in Long Beach, a college roommate inspired her to trade in her beach cruiser for “a little less clunky” bike. It was then that she started riding avidly on Tuesday nights with a group called the Juggernauts in 2008. Asia was busy acquiring her BA from Scripps College in Claremont when she won a sprint race in Riverside in 2010, and only a week ago she competed in her third race in South Korea at King Track placing 2^nd. Natural talent is strong with this one.

“So, I guess you could say you’re catching me at the beginning
of what might be a promising career or just a really fruitful hobby.”

One on One with Asia Morris:

1. What influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

I race because I like to surprise myself. I think the scary part about racing is putting yourself out there, believing that you’re fast, that maybe, just maybe, you’ve put in enough time and training to put yourself above the other competitors. I remember the first time I raced, I hadn’t planned on it at all. I’d been riding for a couple years but not with the hopes of winning any races. I’d always enjoyed the friendly competition with the guys I rode with weekly, but I’d never thought about having any potential to win. I remember I’d tagged along with my boyfriend at the time to watch the Victoria St. Drag Race in Riverside. There were about forty male competitors, some looked pretty serious, others not so serious, and then I noticed there were only five female competitors. I thought, wow, I’ve been riding a lot, maybe I could do well. Just the thought of entering the race gave me butterflies, made me almost sick to my stomach, but that could’ve been the Little Caesars I had just eaten. It was silly, but I won and blew my fears out of the water.

I didn’t race again until Wolfpack this year where a whole new set of fears waited for me, I didn’t exactly blow past them, I mostly crashed into them, twisting my cleat out of place and messing up my knee. I remember falling over before the race even started because I couldn’t get my shoe out in time (I’m kind of new to clip less pedals) I got up and bowed to a round of awkward applause. Then my chain fell off. I’m kind of a klutz so it’s absolutely amazing that I even placed. I expected top sixteen, but 3rd?! That’s crazy. So yea, I race because every time I do well it’s a surprise. Even in Korea, I chose not to expect to do well, but just to do my absolute best. I wanted to go on the trip because it seemed like a crazy thing to do, but I figured if I’m not doing things that seem crazy I’m not really living.

2. What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

This year I placed 3rd in the Wolfpack Crash Race and 2nd in the Women’s Keirin for King of Track in Korea.

3. What do you think about when you train for races?

I usually think about how I’m not training hard enough or how Bud’s rear wheel is getting farther and farther and farther away from me… We’ve been training together for a couple months now and I figure, as long as I can keep up with his chill pace that means I’m pushing myself hard enough. But now I think it’s time to push myself a little bit harder.

4. What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Outside of cycling I’m a creative writer, a visual artist, and sometimes a singer when I’m not paralyzed by shyness. Since graduation, I’ve showed my work three or four times, in a couple galleries and someone’s house, while I just finished up an internship at the Orange County Museum of Art. I’m currently looking for a job in the visual arts and paying the bills as a receptionist.

5. What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Probably when I lost at King of Track. The other cyclist, MJ, kicked my butt by like half a wheel. I wouldn’t have wanted the finish to be any different. It was so exciting, and I learned what I need to do differently for my next track race. That’s the beautiful thing about racing, you can always lose, but then you just learn, train a little harder, and then go back for more.

6. What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or “unsanctioned”?

I’m looking forward to meeting other female cyclists, hopefully some that I can train with.

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by Sara Bond

Competitor Spotlight: Veronica Volok

April 23, 2013 in HANNEL ET, Los Angeles, Marathon Crash Race, News, Rider Spotlight by Sara Bond

Veronica Volok received her first set of Dog Tags at the Wolfpack Marathon Crash Race this year in Los Angeles as 1^st Ladies’ Fixed. Born in Russia and raised in the Bay area, Veronica slangs coffee at the quaint coffee shop, Cento, and runs the Coffee Bar at CHROME Industries in San Francisco. She rides for DESTROY BIKES and with her ladies in FWOD (Fixed Without Dix), an all girl bike club based out of Oakland.

“FWOD is an all ladies and trans only bike club that hosts a ride every Wednesday night in Oakland (Rain or shine). New riders are always welcomed and encouraged to come out every week! Despite FWOD standing for fixed-with-out-dix, all bike types can come and ride. The most important part is having a lady/trans bike community since many bike rides and bike clubs are male dominated. We throw events like alleycats, fundraisers and co-ed rides with a theme. It’s easy to spot us because most of us are wearing brown vests with our FWOD patches on the back. People associate and confuse us as being a “bike gang”, which has a negative connotation with it. We are a social bike club that organizes social bike rides and events.”

In October 2011, Veronica competed in her first race ever at the WOB’s Judgment Day Time Trials placing 2^nd in the women’s fixed category. In 2012, she competed in teams of three on a 68 mile route from Pittsburg to Sacramento in MASH’s fixed gear only Time Trial Race to the HAHB’s. Her team, Team Beaver, only a few miles from the finish line suffered a loss when Veronica flew off her bike into a pole, which resulted in a broken collarbone and a hefty surgery bill.

“I was off my bike for three months, which feels like forever when you’re told you can’t ride a bike for that long. But once I recovered, I got back on my bike and went to the Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose!”

Entering into this year’s Mission Bay Crit hosted by Crihs Tian, she describes it as “one of the hardest and most intimidating races I have ever experienced,” Veronica placed first. “There were these moments I wanted to give up, but I clenched my teeth and kept pushing and pulling and spinning until I knew it was over. Can’t stop. Never Stop.”

One on one with Veronica Volok:

What influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

It sounds cheesy, but my boyfriend is my biggest influence in racing. He is the one who first suggested that I should try racing, and even though I was hesitant, I took his suggestion and was surprised with the results. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am.

What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

I haven’t done any sanctioned races this year…yet.
I’ve only done two unsanctioned races this year; The Mission Bay Crit, which I placed in women’s 1st; and the Crash Marathon Race, which I placed in women’s 1st fixed.

What do you think about when you train for races?

When I train for races I think about what I did in the previous race and how I can improve. There’s always room for improvement.

What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Dogs! I’m a total nerd for dogs and love taking my dog out on adventures, especially on bike rides. I also really enjoy running. Its a good way for me to let out the stress and anxiety that builds ups.

What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Winning first placed fixed in the Crash Marathon Race this year. Hands down. Even though it wasn’t made official, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I remember walking over to Steve, the president of Chrome Industries, and saying, “I did it…I won…” and he gave me the fattest hug as tears exploded from my eyes. Next thing I knew the Chrome family was shaking bottles of champagne and spraying me down. It was surreal. I was crying, laughing, and shaking at the same time. It felt so good to make so many people proud.

What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or the “Wolfpack Unified Title Race Series”?

I’m really looking forward to participate at the Hellyer Velodrome races in San Jose this year, but my biggest excitement will be the Wolfpack Unified Title Race Series. It will be my first time racing in those events so we’ll see how it goes! I just want to have fun and see what happens.

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by Sara Bond

Competitor Spotlight: Craig Streit

April 23, 2013 in HANNEL ET, Los Angeles, Marathon Crash Race, Rider Spotlight by Sara Bond

On a cold rainy night in 2011, Craig Streit and a couple team mates quietly crept into LA, grabbed a set of Dog Tags and escaped across the Arizona border. Ever since, Craig and his team, State Bicycle, have made it a point to disrupt any plans to keep the Dog Tags within city limits again winning 1^st Men’s Fixed and 2^nd Overall at this year’s Marathon Crash Race.

Iowa raised, Craig moved to Arizona in 2001. Over the years he’s ridden in group rides, local fundraiser rides, mountain bike trips, a Trans-America ride and ten years ago, he got into competitive road racing.

For Craig 2007 is when he began to get serious about road racing and moved from Cat 4 to Cat 1 (In sanctioned races, Cat 1 is considered “the best of the best”). “I started racing on a Velo Vie, which was owned by Homay Farsi, Mehdi’s father. I built a relationship with Homay and over the next 4 years I raced on a Velo Vie.” At the same time, he went to the World Track Championships in Carson, CA and got hooked on track racing. “It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I purchased a track bike the week I got back. Unfortunately, there isn’t a track in AZ so I would only get 2-3 track weekends a year and the occasional fixed crit.”

Homay introduced Craig to Mehdi when they started State Bicycle Company (SBC) and asked him if he’d race fixed for them. At first, it was a local crit race or two, but then, it blossomed into events like the Marathon Crash Race. “Every year, State Bicycle Company finds new, awesome events!!!”

One on One with Craig Streit:

What/Who influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

I guess I can’t really put my finger on a specific person or event. I’m a competitive person so racing was just a natural progression.

What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

I’ve had a great season so far both with my Body by Vi road team and State Bicycle Co. Fixed team. Here are a few of my results:

Road: Fixed:

Avondale Crit #1 – 2nd (35+) Not So Underground Crit – 1st

U of A Crit – 4th (Pro/1/2) Wolfpack Hustle Marathon Crash Race – 1st

Sun Devil Crit – 1st (Pro/1/2) Red Hook Crit – 11th

McDowell Circuit Race – 2nd (Pro/1/2) El Tour Twilight Crit – 1st

Avondale Crit #2 – 2nd (35+) Red Bull Road to Ride in Style – 1st

Avondale Crit #2 – 5th (Pro/1/2)

San Tan Crit – 1st (Pro/1/2)

El Tour Twilight Crit – 1st (Pro/1/2)

Tour de Mesa – 1st (overall)

What do you think about when you train for races?

For the most part, NOTHING. Riding is my time to relax and forget about the world. There are definitely times that I replay past races in my head… and imagine future ones.

What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Cycling is by far my biggest hobby (lifestyle); however, I also enjoy hunting/shooting, camping, hiking, climbing, and motorcycling rides… basically anything out door or that involves adrenaline.

What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Probably winning the Cat 3 overall at Superweek. It’s a 16 day long race series in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. It was back when I was a Cat 3, but it was such a great experience to race every day for 16 days in a row. It was my first really big win against riders from all around the country. And it’s close to home, Iowa, so a bunch of my family was able to come watch parts of the series.

What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or “unsanctioned”?

On the roadside of things, I’m looking forward to the Memorial Day Weekend Races back in Iowa (specifically Snake alley…. look it up), Tulsa Tough, and hopefully Boise Twilight. I’m super excited about all the new cool fixed gear races/events. The Unified Title Race Series is an awesome series. I’m hoping to make it to Europe for at least one more of the Red Hook Events, maybe both. Lastly, Puerto Rico was an awesome trip this past fall and I’m hoping to return again.

If in 2014 the UCI decides to move forward and enforce the unsanctioned rule how will you react considering all your latest work in unsanctioned racing?

I haven’t really given it too much thought. I have a really hard time believing it will ever come to be enforced. There are just too many races outside the USAC and UCI that can and will push back on this rule. It’s just a sanctioned vs. unsanctioned issue. There are plenty of events that are sanctioned by different bodies that would also be affected (mountain and cross events, grand fondos, etc.). I’ll cross that bridge when/if needed.