She rides 20,000 miles a year. Really. - Page 2

Mr. Pink · #16 03-23-2018, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echelon_john

What a sad response.

Everything in moderation. And, at her age, I had a job. Some people are lucky, I suppose.

oldpotatoe · #17 03-23-2018, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

OCD on a trust fund.

No kidding..almost 55 miles per day, everyday. Say 15 MPH average, 3-4 hours a day, everyday..I like to ride a bike but....no thanks.

ripvanrando · #18 03-23-2018, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

No kidding..almost 55 miles per day, everyday. Say 15 MPH average, 3-4 hours a day, everyday..I like to ride a bike but....no thanks.

I think her training log would be more lumpy. Like riding 2100 miles to the start of the Tour Divide and then doing what 2600 miles in 17 days shaving 3 days off the record or riding 3500 miles to the start of TABR and then 8,600 miles back home to Alaska.

I wonder how she would have faired in UCI type racing. I do not know what elite woman put out but I suspect Lael makes around 4.6-5.0 W/Kg. She is a very strong rider.

https://www.outsideonline.com/199747...ed-tour-divide

Jaybee · #19 03-23-2018, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Everything in moderation. And, at her age, I had a job. Some people are lucky, I suppose.

I don't know her financial particulars, but I had assumed "sponsors" (Specialized, Revelate, Patagonia all called out on her blog) instead of "trust fund".

Regardless, she has an apparently awesome life for her. I'm happy about that.

Tandem Rider · #20 03-23-2018, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Everything in moderation. And, at her age, I had a job. Some people are lucky, I suppose.

Maybe she is lucky enough to have a genetic gift of a big motor, and also lucky enough to recognize it, and also lucky to have the psyche to handle the stresses of pursuing one's natural abilities. I think it's great, she's chasing her dreams and making herself happy without hurting anyone else. Her job is to ride her bike very well and make her sponsors look really good, so folks with "real" jobs (disposable income) will buy the sponsors's products.

m_sasso · #21 03-23-2018, 07:00 AM

Employment, in the interview from PLP she mentioned she was working in a pizza shop, does tour guiding and has started a youth cycling program with a friend/partner.

Climb01742 · #22 03-23-2018, 07:03 AM

I don't know how she supports herself. But my reaction was, how cool is it that she's found a way to live the life that makes her happy? Maybe I'm wrong but I assumed she keeps her expenses low (eating at gas stations and camping out kinda pushed me toward that conclusion.) I find inspiration in people who've found lives by taking a different road (sometimes literally). I suppose we each see in situations what we're looking for. I see someone I want to cheer for.

DG24 · #23 03-23-2018, 07:08 AM

I would suspect there is some level of sponsorship at this point. But she appears to have a fairly committed and focused lifestyle. Odd jobs to fund her riding. Certainly no trust fund. Have to admire and give her credit for that.

http://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2018/0...durance-racing

paredown · #24 03-23-2018, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiamme red

Here's a long interview with her from PLP: https://youtu.be/6155-Tow9nA?t=1s.

Watched most of this last night--what a lovely soul.

I especially liked that she is working with young girls to get them out on their bikes.

ptourkin · #25 03-23-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

OCD on a trust fund.

You want to post some citations for that? She was working at a pizza place in Tucson and finding time to climb Mt. Lemmon this winter.
She had some support from Specialized for the Trans Am but it was mostly just a bike. She is extremely frugal. Double Tour Divide was done on a shoe string.

Bitter and jealous is a bad look.

roguedog · #26 03-23-2018, 07:45 AM

If you watch the PLP video, her environs do not speak trust fund. Looks like a small, moderate apartment. I was wondering about events like Trans Am, is there any prize money?

I always think it's kinda of wonderous luck for someone to find their thing and then able to live that passion to Tandem Rider's point.

Btw, I love PLP. Love that it's not marketing driven and it's different and real.

fa63 · #27 03-23-2018, 07:53 AM

It is amazing how little one can learn to live off of, if you choose the right location and don’t have kids.

Great story, she seems happy doing what she loves.

Climb01742 · #28 03-23-2018, 08:01 AM

How often do our comments about a subject or person wind up saying more about us than the subject or person? Thank you, folks, for posting the PLP and NPR links. She really is riding the road less traveled. Not an easy road. Yay her.

p nut · #29 03-23-2018, 08:29 AM

I used to read her world travels with her partner, Nick, on their blog:

https://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/

She's definitely put in her time, riding, day in and day out. And natural talent helps, too. Very gifted athlete.

ripvanrando · #30 03-23-2018, 09:06 AM

I recently read a financial rendering of a 3 year RTW bicycle odyssey. It was about $25 total cost per day. How hard is that to save? Not very.

I spent some years in my early adulthood travelling to far flung parts of the globe on my bicycle during a time many thought I should have been working. I never spent more than 10 bucks per day on average.

It is nice to know that that free spirits are still out there.

I trust that Lael works and saves to fuel the next adventure.

To those who think Tour Divide is not a race......line up and give it a go.