Redbeard Racing: Rosemary
Where did you grow up?
A few places across the eastern U.S., but mostly Pittsburgh, PA.
When & where did you first learn to ride a bike?
When I was 6, my parents gave me a bike as an Easter gift. My dad taught me how to ride on the tennis courts in our apartment complex.
How did you get into track racing?
In the summer of 2016, I did one of the women’s intro to track clinics at Kissena. I had no plans to start racing, but I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. In February 2017, I was part of forming a new women’s/gnc team, Spin Peaks.
Do you have a pre-race ritual?
Nope! If I only have time to stretch or warm up, I’ll always pick stretching.
How do you take your coffee?
Black.
Tell us about your track bike(s) and why you love it/them.
I have an IRO that I bought secondhand. I rode it around the city for almost a year, then converted it to be my track bike when I started racing. I love it because it was my introduction to riding fixed, but I’m looking forward to getting a new race bike.
What has been your most meaningful victory on the track to date?
It wasn’t my highest placement, but my most meaningful race was competing in the state championships endurance program last year. Doing a 40-lap points race is tough, to say the least.
Favorite post-race meal?
Spinach masala dosa at Dosa Delight in Jackson Heights.
Favorite velodrome to race in, and why?
I’ve only ever raced at Kissena!
What do you do to pay the bills?
I’m a project management contractor for FEMA.
And the most important question: lock-ring or no lock-ring?
Lock ring, just in case.
