Note: This is the first of a (hopefully) weekly series I plan on doing just to see where it goes.

Name: Barb Blakley
Category: 3
Race Age: 37
Current team: CityMD Women’s Racing
Day Job: Product Management Lead for Business Intelligence & Predictive Analytics at a Big Bank

How you got into cycling: I started riding bikes at lunchtime with some bike racers back in Denver. They were legit cat 2 guys and they would basically rip my legs off every day at lunch. We didn’t have showers in our office so I would go back to work and sit in meetings in the afternoon having just toweled off. Denver is very different.

How you got into racing: When I moved to New York a little over 3 years ago, I was totally burnt out from triathlon after an ironman in 2011. I have lots of ill-advised ideas, but that may have been my best. I did the B-SIG to meet people and saw a group of Velocity guys waiting after a race for a muffin ride. I liked their kit – what can I say, I like bright colors – and went up to them and asked if they had a women’s team. I somehow got hooked up with the Stan’s girls, started racing as a 4 that summer, and the rest is history.

Favorite local course and why: I assume this is a race course. As my teammies know I am kind of a Fred at heart so I will provide a race course and a training ride which appeals to my Fred-ish ways. Training ride – The Orchards, with a stop at Bunbury on the way back. I just love that last climb. As far as race courses go, even though Battenkill is always horrible, I do love the course. The dirt sections are so much fun!

Greatest achievement racing: In my first year of racing I won two consecutive races in two solo breaks. That was pretty fun. I was also really proud of my results at Battenkill last year – it was 37 degrees at the start, 34 at the finish, it SNOWED during, and somehow I managed 3rd place even though my teammates will tell you I hate cold weather riding and never do it.

Worst memory of a race: The road race at GMSR last year was generally miserable. I had gotten crashed out the day before so I was covered in bruises and road rash. My ribs killed every time I breathed heavily, and it was raining. But I was happy to finish.

Goals/Aspirations: For bike racing? I just want to get out there and have fun with my friends and teammates. One of my favorite things every year is the first reasonable-weather Central Park race, it’s like the first day of school, seeing friends again.

What’s the most fun thing you missed out on in order to do a bike race: Last year I went to half of King Lear in Central Park (the one with John Lithgow, who was amazing) because I was dying of exhaustion and had promised my team I would do a park race in the morning. That was pretty lame!