by Bill Moss

Somewhere up in the quiet, rolling hills of Central Massachusetts, on a glorious spring day, one New Yorker accustomed to capturing moments was creating a few of her own. Photographer and videographer Maria Quiroga, of Third Nature (aka Bicycle Workshop), won the Sturbridge Women’s 34 Road Race on Saturday in a downhill sprint finish. Less than 24 hours later, she crossed the line in third place on the uphill finale to the Palmer Library Women’s 34 Road Race. I caught up with her, after her heartrate returned to normal, for a few questions and some insight from a rider who is quietly racking up the results in these parts. In 2006 as a cat IV racer she powered her way to time trial wins at Silvermine and Tewksbury, podium spots at Lou Maltese, Unionvale and Doc Reiley, 4th at the Fall Bear Mountain Race, and 2nd place in GC for Cat 4 women at Fitchburg (13th for 3/4’s) and Christiana Stage races (16th for Pro-4). Not bad results for someone with just about a year of racing under her bibs.

BM- How long have you been cycling?

@##=#<3,L>@##=#MQ- I started cycling about 5-6 years ago. I joined the NYCC (New York Cycle Club) and did the SIG (special interest groups). I rode about 2-3 days week until about a year and a half ago when I started riding 4-5 days a week. I think it was in 2002 or 2003, I took about 8 months off from cycling when my knees got really bad. I was told by my doctor at the time that I could never ride again without surgery. This was an unacceptable, so I got a new doctor, started doing Bikram yoga and bought a better bike.

BM- What brought you to racing?

MQ- I went to the women’s racing clinic a few years back but my knees were in such bad shape at the time, that I just finished the laps and proceeded home to take painkillers and apply ice. I thought I would never be able to race. Then last year I started occasionally doing laps around lunchtime in Central Park with a small group of men. We did a rotating a paceline at fast speeds and a few of the guys told me I should try racing. It took a good 6 months, but then I finally got the courage up to do a park race at the end of last May. I was hooked!

BM- How do you like the racing environment in NY?

MQ- I like the NY racing scene. The racers, male and female, that I have met have been so supportive and friendly. Of course there is the occasional “high school” moment, but for the most part I have made some great friends.

BM- Did you have any expectations going into this past weekend’s races?

MQ- My goal was to finish the races in one piece and get a little closer to getting over my fear of crashing. A few weekends before I had been dropped from the pro123 women’s field at Battenkill. My back was still hurting from a crash in Central Park back in March, and my mind wasn’t ready to be racing.

I started training with Brent Moorehouse and Shannon Martin recently. Brent coaches me and has helped me mentally get back into racing since crashing. Shannon is a nutritionist and has taught me how to eat better. I am a vegetarian and getting the proper fuel at the right times has been key. Before working the Dynamic Duo, as I like to call them, I was coached by Will Schneider who taught me a lot about racing and training. I knew nothing about racing and having knowledgeable people help me begin this new hobby has been amazing.

BM- What was going through your mind in the final miles?

@##=#<1,r>@##=#MQ- I was trying to work my way to the front of the field. I knew that this particular finish was dangerous, so I wanted to stay out of trouble. I found myself boxed out as the Boston team organized themselves. They then formed 2 long lines of three right in front of me. I remember thinking “this is not where I want to be, what can I do about it?” Suddenly there was a gap between the team’s two lines and I just took a chance, gave it everything I had and sprinted for the line. I remember thinking after I crossed the line. “Did that just happen?”

BM- What was your reaction when it was official?

MQ- Shock, disbelief and then a few minutes later I did a little dance in my head.

BM- After winning Saturday, did that put more pressure on you to do well Sunday?

MQ- Not really. But I wanted to try to place in the top 5. I was lucky my teammate Nancy came to support me on Sunday. She let me know when a team was trying to box me out and told me where to go and when. I still have so much to learn and my teammates have been great about sharing their knowledge.

BM- Do you think you could beat Schmalz in a one on one?

MQ- Maybe if he was on a tricycle.

BM- It looks like now he’s on a unicycle, kind of the same thing. Anyway, I know you’ve raced in a few men’s fields, how do you compare them to a similar women’s field – more/less aggressive, team tactics, (Lord knows the guys talk a lot of trash – this website is proof) etc…

MQ- The men do talk trash sometimes, but I have to say that they have been really great to me. One example was when I first did the Gimbels long ride last fall. I was starting to fall back on one of the last climbs and some of the guys cheered me on and even gave me a little push up the last bit of the climb. Regarding men’s vs. women’s field, I have found that the women can be just as aggressive when they want to be and they sometimes talk trash too.

BM- Who do you enjoy watching on the local racing scene?

MQ- I really admire Anne Marie Miller for not only getting back to racing after her accident, but also continuing to be competitive.

BM- What’s the deal with your new team “Third Nature”?

@##=#<4,L>@##=#MQ- Third Nature is a new bike shop in Teaneck, NJ. Our sponsor from last year, Bicycle Workshop is opening Third Nature this spring. The shop will have high end road bikes, tri bikes and nutrition. We are really excited to represent the shop and we will be retiring the red and black kits later this week.

BM- What’s ahead for you this year?

MQ- I hope to become a better racer and upgrade to a cat 2 by the end of the season. Off the bike my goals are to distribute my first documentary, “Las Hijas” (the Daughters), to complete my second documentary film and to start my third one (this one is has to do with bikes).

BM- What has bike racing taught you?

MQ- I have learned that I am kind of a jock. Who knew?

BM- I think a lot more riders are about to find out!

Maria Quiroga’s Documentary, “Las Hijas (The Daughters)” is playing tonight (May, 2nd) at the Film Anthology Archives 32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street at 9PM.