photo by Marshall Kappel

Name: Jess Meany
Category: 2
Race Age: 29
Current team: Stan’s NoTubes p/b Velo Classic Cycling
Day Job: Trim Development at The Gap

How you got into cycling: I made a gal pal in Brooklyn who I would try to hang out with on the weekends, but her boyfriend and she had to walk their bicycles besides me to get anywhere fun.  They sold me their old beater single speed Schwinn so that it wasn’t as awkward.  Soon after, I gave into hipsterdom and bought my first IRO Mark V. They showed me how to use toeclips and ride fixed, and I remind them constantly how thankful I am that they believed I had any sense of balance on a bicycle whatsoever.

How you got into racing: My first races were alleycats in Brooklyn, where average races were usually 25-30 miles all over the city in the evenings, stopping at various checkpoints along the way. Some checkpoints during races included getting lip tattoos in the LES and bunny hopping over takeout containers in front of the Met.  I made so many amazing friends that are still close to me today.  My father finally encouraged me to try road biking since I loved my fixed gear so much.  He helped me buy a carbon/aluminum road frame off Craigslist for Christmas. I really began to enjoy road riding, and knew my friend Britlee Bowman was managing a team that dressed in red and white.  I started buying all this red and white gear and running into her on the road with all my matching stuff on and I think it successfully pressured her to invite me to the team.  I am now racing my third consecutive season with Stan’s NoTubes p/b Velo Classic Cycling.

Favorite local course and why: I’ve been riding for seven years now and my favorite moment is still bombing over the Williamsburg bridge in the evenings.  When the weather is lousy and the bridge is empty, the city really feels like it is all yours.  When I’m racing with the girls, a well-paced Central Park race with fast attacks up Harlem Hill at 5:30AM is perfectly masochistic for me.  Also, let’s be real – a race in NYC is still inside NYC.  What other race in the world are you still communicating with joggers, pedestrians, dogs and other cyclists who came to the park at 5:30 in the morning to get some peace, only to realize they are in the middle of a bike race.  It’s amazing here.

Greatest achievement racing: This past year at GMSR I sat 2nd overall in the women’s 3/4 field.  The points I gained from that weekend earned me my Cat 2.  Looking back on the weekend I knew I stood on the podium not because I was the strongest climber or had the best sprint, but because I raced smart.  I had blown up on the App Gap the year before, costing me a couple minutes in the GC.  I was more calculated this year and took into consideration everything racing and my team had taught me, and finally proved to myself that I had earned the ability to CAT UP!

Worst memory of a race: I think many racers worst memories is crashing, and I am very lucky to say I haven’t crashed yet.  But hey, I’ve had my fair share of wipe-outs outside of racing.  Once I flipped a bicycle on the Williamsburg bridge on the way to get midnight pancakes with friends, breaking both my elbows.  Luckily for me, the bones healed fairly quickly. As for terrible moments in racing, I tend to always cramp right before the finish line.  When I was a Cat 4 at Battenkill my throat cramped up three miles before the end.  It felt weird. I know how to hydrate a lot better now.

Goals/Aspirations: This year I look forward to my first season as a Cat 2.  There are races that I can’t wait for- to support my teammates, crush my last year’s STRAVA segments, and maybe even stand on the podium!  However equally important goals are to remember we gotta get in some serious camping and well-deserved ice cream noshes, watering hole swims, and Go-Cart pit stops this season.  Spending time with all the amazing people I’ve met from racing is what keeps me coming back for more.

What’s the most fun thing you missed out on in order to do a bike race: Oh I have bailed on a laundry list of friend’s art openings, friend’s going away parties, friend’s band’s shows.  Two years ago I skipped out on going to the three-day music festival with friends to race in rain, hail and 35 degree weather at Killington.  For my third year of racing I promise I have taken into consideration the importance of life balance.  But hey it’s still April, I guess we have the whole summer to see if I’ll practice this ideal.