Seattle Style: Lindsay Felker is just another woman scientist bike racer who also seems to be a perpetual motion machine. Although she is relatively new to bicycle racing, she has quickly advanced up the ranks all the while pursuing other athletic passions which include ultra distance running (marathon distances are training runs), ice-climbing, and backcountry skiing. Lindsay is also dedicated to giving back–she is a co-founder of a new women’s-only team that aims to mentor new riders and have a positive impact in the community via close ties to a charity organization. In her spare time she teaches climbing classes for the Seattle Mountaineers. Wow!
Questions:
Age: 30
Place of Birth: Kirkland, WA
Education: BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Spanish from the University of Arizona
Work: Researcher at the University of Washington, Genome Sciences.
Bicycle quiver:
Track: Custom Tiemeyer
Road: Ti Litespeed Ardennes w/ S80s (I chose SRAM)
TT: Cervelo P2
CX: Kona Jake the Snake and custom Raleigh single speed
Mountain: Custom Cannondale hard tail w/ a leopard print paint job (purrrrrr)
Grocery grabber: 1965 steel fixie with cross tires, a sparkle saddle, and a bell
This summer started out with a less-than-ideal experience at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, where I got kicked in the head in the first 1/4 mile of the swim but somehow managed to finish, albeit hours past my expected finish time. I was racing at the track the following week, winning the WA State Criterium Championship, climbing/skiing Mt. Rainier, and running the White River 50 Mile ultramarathon within the four weeks that followed. I finished off the season with the Cascade Crest 100 Mile. After cyclocross, during my “off-season” I stay busy with running, and when the temperature drops, skate, downhill and backcountry skiing, mixed in with some Cascade-style alpine ice climbing.
It seems like you always have an ultra run coming up. How did you get into it and what’s the attraction?
It all started with the Seattle Marathon back in 2004. After running several road marathons, I heard of this club called Marathon Maniacs—a bunch of crazies that like to run. A lot. I then got wind of the local trail running/ultra scene and I’ve been hooked on trail running ever since. I’m also an avid mountaineer (albeit not lately) so the idea of running in the mountains really appealed to me. Ultra runners joke that after awhile 50 ks start to feel like 5 km fun runs; not a lot of thought or training goes into running other than how many PB&Js one should pack. I’ve stopped counting but I think I’ve run on the order of 40+ marathons/ultras in the past few years. The folks who participate in and organize these events are a class act. Often the events require trail work for all participants or the organizers donate proceeds to the Washington Trails Association and other charities. This summer I got lucky and scored a last minute spot on the Cascade Crest start list, one of the toughest hundred mile events with over 20 k feet of elevation gain. “Cascade,” which I realize has a different connotation for cyclists, is an incredibly well orchestrated event by Charlie Crissman. With about five days to prepare, I had pretty low expectations. My buddy offered to pace me the last 47 miles and that’s about all the advance planning I was able to pull off. It turned out to be one of the most magical and mentally challenging experiences of my life. I died (inside) and came back to life so many times! The rush felt upon finishing something like that is indescribable. Running alone through alpine meadows at night underneath a blanket of stars is an experience I’ll never forget. Now that I’ve got my CC100 finisher’s buckle, I’m looking to add some more notches to my belt. There’s a long list of other tough races that I’m hoping to finish: Hard Rock 100, The Bear 100, Bighorn 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch Front 100—all part of the Rocky Mountain Slam of ultra running. Unfortunately most of these races are so popular that they choose participants by lottery, so it might be awhile.
You are a co-founder of a new women’s cycling team. How did that come about?
Myself and a few other rad women in the local peloton started a new women’s-only team and we’re just now getting the word out. We’re modeling our team, Spokeswomen Racing, after Farestart powered by Cobalt Mortgage team concept with emphasis on regular involvement in the organization. Our title sponsors are Peterson Bicycle and Jubilee Women’s Center. Jubilee is a women’s transitional house on Capitol Hill that provides extensive support to formerly homeless women. Our team’s focus is not only to race our bikes fast (we have some really talented riders) and mentor new riders, but to have a positive impact in our community.
How does the team support Jubilee?
Our riders teach cooking, computer skills and bike maintenance classes, provide meals, fundraise, and volunteer a lot of time to Jubilee– it’s awesome. For me personally it’s great to be the co-founder of a team that I’m really proud of on a variety of levels. I have a special tie to Jubilee as my mom, who I lost to cancer a few years ago, was an active volunteer there and helped renovate the house.
Tell us about how you discovered bicycle racing? What competitions are you looking forward to in 2012?
I’ve only been racing bikes for two years. An old buddy, you may have heard of her, Jen Wheeler, got me into it. We used to commute together and she told me that if I raced I’d win prizes. Jen was also correct in thinking that I’d enjoy being a part of an athletic community where attractive and fit men spend hours on end in revealing, neon-colored spandex outfits.
Some other events on my athletic bucket list are the Epicman Challenge, a 60 hour triple Ironman distance race in Hawaii. I’d also like to climb an 8,000 meter peak in the Himalayas– I went trekking alone in Nepal two years ago and I also have some unfinished business with a climb there.
My first year of racing was unfortunately filled with crashes. I think my biggest triumph has been tackling that fear and getting back in the game this year. I had a blast racing this year’s crit series with a long solo TT effort at the Bellingham criterium and then a field sprint victory at Derby Days.
I also learned to race the Madison at the track this year, a terrifyingly fun event that feels like riding your bike in a video game. The co-ed season finale Madison was a highlight for sure. Lastly, I placed second in the MFG Cyclocross series for women’s single speed (I’m hopeful not to miss any races next year).
Given the breadth of your athletic pursuits what does your training schedule look like?
I have some custom workouts designed by local PT and coach Beth Lyndon-Griffith that keep me in balance and uninjured. I do those year-round mixed in with some weight training. I’m sort of a fair-weather rider which affords me time to ‘’multi-task.” Rather than enduring the rain and cold on my bike, as soon as the snow flies I spend more time in the mountains. In the late winter I try to do a training camp someplace warm and knock out a week of solid riding. My favorite training destination is Maui, which is famous for its 10,000 ft Haleakala climb and the Hana Highway. Now that I’ve upgraded my road category, I’m planning to up my cycling game a bit in order to stay competitive next season.
How do you balance all of your athletic pursuits with work and the other aspects of your life?
I’m really into hip-hop dance. I take classes at Velocity and Westlake dance centers. I also volunteer at hospice in the wintertime. I’ve been actively involved with the Seattle Mountaineers for the last eight years and when I have the time I try to give back to that organization as much as I can by instructing for their basic and intermediate alpine climbing courses.
Balancing my time isn’t particularly complicated. I think we naturally make time for the things that are important to us—and I have a lot of interests and fitness is a core value of mine. I’m always on the move. I don’t sleep much or watch TV. I also have a really hard time sitting still, so that helps.
Tell us about your work as a DNA librarian/gel jockey:
I’m a researcher at the UW in the Genome Sciences Department. My work broadly focuses on sequencing genomes better, faster, and cheaper with the goal to better understand the genetic basis of various diseases, ultimately improving public health.
What’s your favorite Seattle-area ride?
My favorite road ride is Snoqualmie Falls, and Duthie Hill has some pretty sick trails if you feel like riding dirty. I also really dig the cyclocross meet-ups in the Fall at Woodland Park.
Do you have any advice for other women thinking about getting serious about ultramarathon racing, cycling in general, bicycle racing or climbing?
Clear out some space in your garage! Take the track class at Marymoor—it’s a great introduction to cycling and racing. It’s also a safe place to learn some bike handling skills and about riding in a pack at speed. As far as ultra running is concerned, check out the Marathon Maniacs race calendar and pack some PB&Js. Get a good masseuse or foam roller too to work on your IT bands—common problem for cyclists and runners who up their mileage too quickly. If you’re interested in learning to climb, join me for a class at the Seattle Mountaineers! Take their scrambling, crag, or basic alpine climbing course. I can’t say enough good things about that organization and their commitment to connecting people to the environment and protecting the outdoors.
