Reba's 2010 Custom Race Jersey
Happy Holidays and thanks for reading this year. Thanks also to everyone who wrote questions to Ask Reba this year and my sponsors who supported the winners with prizes! I loved reading and answering your questions. Just so you know, even if your question was not selected as the winning one, don’t despair! I took the time each month to answer almost every single question that was written. So if you have not seen the answer to your question, they are all in the Ask Reba Archive. Even if you did not write a question, you can still check out the answers and you might learn something new!
For the final month of Ask Reba in 2010, I will be giving away one of my very own Specialized 2010 custom race jerseys. I’ll be getting new ones soon, so this is your chance to win a sweet, one of a kind jersey. You can have it signed or not signed, it’s up to you!
What cross-training is best for cyclists in the winter?
Reba, I hope you have realized that you have set the bar very high for us chicas over 40. That being said, do you plan on riding competitively ( or just ride ) when you are 50 and beyond? What steps are you going to take to insure you will be up for the challenge?
Hey Reba,
I’ve been adventure racing for 4 years now, but recently have began to focus primarily on mountain bike races. What has been the your key ingredient to getting and keeping sponsorships (especially with todays economony)? I’ve really struggled finding companies and/or brands interested in partnering with athletes, what do you suggest?
Case
Hey R2,
I was wondering if you ever considered the xTerra series and/or other USAT events? How well do you think core athleticism and talent in one sport would carry a single sport person in the mutisport arena with proper training? Outside of the obvious, how would you train for a triathlon?
Basically, Rebecca+Triathlon=?
i actually have a 3 part question
i am looking into purchasing a 29er. i know that you race a Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29er.
my question is are 29ers’ non-beneficial to someone of a short stature? (i’m 5″4…………5″5 on a bad hair day)
also, what crank set-up do you use and why?
any training tips for endurance racing? i LOVE riding long/ endurance events
Hi Reba,
For my 2011 MTB season I have selected one of two races as my “A” race for the year. I have entered into the lottery for the Leadville 100 and a backup race a week later know as “24hrs in the Sage” in Gunnison, CO (WSC Alumni) if I miss the LV lottery cut late February 2011. I know both of these are requiring a lot of training & mental preparation for game day.
Any helpful hits on base training I might need to focus on right now until late February when I know which of these two great races will be my focus MTB for the 2011 race season.
Also right now I train and race a few marathon distance XC Classic events here in the upper-Midwest during our winter season with helps me as a great cross-training during my race racing off-season. I also ride on my Computrainer for maintaining off-season balance in exercise.
Sincerely,
Brian
Des Plaines, IL
Having accomplished so much so far what are you striving to accomplish in the next two years?
what kind of meal do you eat before a race and after a race to recover?
In todays world determined and driven people always want to better themselves…whether it is in cycling, our occupation, or just life. I always say there is always room for improvement or something I can do better . At your caliper of cycling what do you do to continuously better yourself???…..if seems at times you might would feel like you have hit a wall and feel like you have done it all and there’s nothing else you can do or haven’t already done. What advice would you not only give toward cycling but also in life???
People that are driven and determined people always want to better themselves whether it is in cycling, our occupation or just life in general. What do you do to continuously be better and do better in competetion…. competing at the highest level of cycling that you are just seems like at times you would feel like you have hit a wall and feel like you have already done this or done that and feel like your not improving or getting better. How do you continuously improve in your cycling career and in life in general?
Rebecca
I will start to race next year. How do you prepare mentally to overcome obstacles during a race?
Hi Rebecca:
What is your best remedy for sore quads?
How has living at altitude in the off season helped you when racing closer to sea level?
Something that seems to plague me every few years is a loss of enthusiasm for riding. After so many successful years, how do you maintain your enthusiasm and joy for the sport year in and year out? And not just enthusiasm, how do you seem to consistently get better with each year?
Are you racing at Trans Sylvania Epic in 2011? If you are; What are you goals for it?
I can only imagine that racing at the highest level of competitive endurance mountain biking must come with all sorts of pressure. How do you balance the pressure to always make training your number one priority with keeping perspective on the big picture of family, friends, and just enjoying life?
Dear Reba – of course, you are a true role model for me, on the bike, and off. I am 41, and you give me the inspiration to raise the bar higher, even as I am getting older. My question for you, as snow falls, is, How do you convert xcountry ski workouts into ride-equivalent training? I am going to be nordic skiing, end of January, and any input would be great! – thanks for your example!
What song do you sing to keep yourself going when the going is extra tough? Like going up the power line climb at the Leadville 100.
Will we ever see women in the Tour de France or other major international races?
@BarbChamberlain
@womenbikeblogs
In order to have been crowned “Queen of Pain”, you must know a thing or two about pain: so tell me, what is it like to be at the place where enjoyment has ended and PAIN has truly begun?
I’m pretty good climbing, but descending not so much. My friends say I go downhill like the elderly make love (not in those exact words). How can I conquer my fear and let go of the brakes?
What’s the technical term for the tubular rubber pieces on the side wall of a mountain/road bike tire? I believe these are rements of the injection molding process.
Maslow has his hierarchy of needs. What is your hierarchy of needs on race day?
What song do you sing in your head when you have nothing left and you have to dig deep? For me DMB “All along the watch tower”.
My daughter, son-in-law, and myself went to watch Leadville this year. Congrats on the Great Ride! Just wondering what tire pressure you use there.
What do you think about 9 hours into an event and the end is still hours away?
Are you doing the Tour Divide?
Cake “Going the Distance”