Name: Camie Kornely
Category: 1 road/3 track
Race Age: 42
Current Team: Breakaway Courier/NSX Carve Systems
Day Job: Teacher
How you got into cycling: It’s how I got around as a kid – back when we had such freedoms. You know, big flowered banana seat then later graduated to a blue Omni 10 speed – down tube shifters. But cycling with spandex didn’t happen until I moved to NYC. I was a private trainer with a client who challenged me to ride all the levels on the stationary bike. When I could do it and he couldn’t he invited me to ride.
How you got into racing: That same client sponsored a team and had me ride with those guys one morning in Central Park. They challenged me to a sprint that I won and they said I should go race. I was put in touch with Zui Hanafusa who said I’d drop people at the line with my leg intimidation. Zui took me to my very first crit where I got dropped at the line….seriously.
Favorite local course and why: I really like the Raritan Crit course. It’s a 6 corner, technical crit where there’s a small dip in each of the turns that sort of propels you forward. It feels like being on a roller coaster! And as part of the Somerville weekend the vibe is always exciting and full of energy.
Greatest achievement racing: The friends I’ve made. The cheers and feeling of winning a race is great, but it fades. You ask this question and I don’t remember the races so much as I remember the people with whom I’ve shared the moments. I’ve always been sort of a quiet, introverted, homebody and through racing I’ve met some really great people who I consider my family…..including my husband.
Worst memory of a race: Catskills – 2013. I wanted to be there when my team crushed it, so I signed up in spite of the many warnings (I DON’T do up). I just figured it would be a road race – I can deal. The first day I was last in the time trial. The second day I think I walked my bike twice and when I saw the finish line and realized I had made it, I cried. I think I cried again when I realized I had just barely made the time cut and would do it again the next day. The final day I made it to Devil’s Kitchen with the group thanks to Caryl Gale and as they all rode up I did my own thing which included more walking. I started to walk around the big rock near the middle of the climb where Helen Hatch (then a 3) was flying up the climb cheering me on…..mind you, I was walking. Let it be know that I also consider this a good memory because I finished the race!!! But I vow to never return.
Goals/Aspirations: I think I’d like to see what I can do on the track. I sorta see racing as like a chess match and at the track each chess match is a little different….it’s about the game….I guess I’d like to keep playing the game as long as I can.
What’s the most fun thing you missed out on in order to do a bike race: I miss the time with my son and family. I took a step back this year on the travel part to spend more time at home. I enjoyed all I’ve been able to do, but it’s also time I won’t get back. It’s all about the balance.