The women athletes profiled on Northwest in Motion have a common trajectory: They typically enter their respective sports in their mid to late-20s as the result of serendipity. Their first forays into athletic competition are usually the result of joining a race or event on a whim with the encouragement of a friend. To their surprise they win the event and discover previously … [Read more...] about Sophia Liu: Olympic Hopeful ‘With a Little Help from Her Friends’
Women
Gearing up for a Bikepacking Epic
Although Jamie Van Beek and Corbin Hudacek had to alter their Hood River to Canada bikepacking plans because of the 2020 smokestorm, they meticulously planned on being self-sufficient for seven days. Here are their gear lists with an important caveat: For a ride this long, it's likely that the food at the start of the ride will outweigh all the other gear combined. Jamie's … [Read more...] about Gearing up for a Bikepacking Epic
Hudacek & Van Beek: Hood River to Canadian Border
On September 6, just a few days before the 2020 smokestorm hit Washington, Corbin Hudacek and Jamie Van Beek teamed up for a 7-day south-to-north off-road cycling adventure based on the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. The duo covered 640 miles and over 72,000′ of climbing in 7 days all off-road and gravel except for a few paved … [Read more...] about Hudacek & Van Beek: Hood River to Canadian Border
Kaytlyn Gerbin Running to New Heights
Although she's been a life-long athlete, 31-year-old Wisconsin native Kaytlyn Gerbin is relatively new to running and even newer to mountain sports. Regardless, she's quickly ascended to the top level of trail running, and is at the leading edge of putting up routes that combine running and mountaineering. After completing a mathematics degree at the University of Wisconsin … [Read more...] about Kaytlyn Gerbin Running to New Heights
Gravel Cycling Infects the PNW
We can credit/blame the coronavirus pandemic for all manner of secondary and downstream disruptions to humanity. While recreational activities are a relatively minor theme against the backdrop of everything else that is going on, for those of us who have the privilege to recreate, I'd argue that maintaining our physical and mental health helps us keep the vibe just a bit … [Read more...] about Gravel Cycling Infects the PNW
Trackies Attempt One-Hour Records
As life under pandemic conditions gestates and reconfigures, some race organizers are gradually moving away from virtual events to live events that can be done in socially-distanced ways. For example, Washington's bike racing organization (WSBA), held a time trial ("TT") series over the course of six weekends. Time trials can be done quite easily in a socially distanced way by … [Read more...] about Trackies Attempt One-Hour Records
How to Choose Cycling Shorts
In the world of bicycling gear, shorts are often an afterthought. They’re not as exciting as an airy new helmet or adding another gear to your drivetrain. Some riders don’t even wear bike shorts, while others settle for poorly-fitted and uncomfortable options. And that’s a real shame, because whether you ride roads or trails, a well-fitting pair of shorts makes a world of … [Read more...] about How to Choose Cycling Shorts
Tabatha Collins: Broke the Record. Still Breaking the Stigma
During 2019, 47-year old Tabatha Collins aimed to set a new Guinness World Record for “Most Ultras Run in One Year by a Female.” Part of her inspiration came from her love of running. Another bigger inspiration was the loss of her older brother Todd, who died because of a drug and alcohol overdose in 2007. Mental health issues were at the root of his overdose. New Year’s … [Read more...] about Tabatha Collins: Broke the Record. Still Breaking the Stigma
Sophia Liu’s Olympic Quest Nears Finish Line
As noted in our original profile of runner/scientist Sophia Liu (Liu Ziyang), her athletic journey is similar to that of many other top Seattle-area women athletes. She discovered her remarkable athleticism by accident: grad school mates encouraged her to try running "just for the fun of it," after which she promptly won a marathon. Meanwhile, Sophia is dedicated to an … [Read more...] about Sophia Liu’s Olympic Quest Nears Finish Line