This journey began before Beric was born. I was introduced to cycling by good friends who wanted to create a crew that rode mountain bikes together on local trails. I slowly developed some skills and built fitness in an effort to keep up with friends. About two years into that journey, Beric showed up. I carried him up Mount Palomar, in my belly, to watch stage 1 of the 2013 Tour of California.
I let my own cycling take a bit of a back seat during Beric’s early years, it remained a fixture in our family life. We would trek to races watching as his dad grew into a successful Master’s racer. Before long, Beric caught the bug too. He wanted to get stronger and faster, and suddenly, I was getting left behind. After plenty of rationalizing and self-doubt, I realized that getting dropped and sitting on the sidelines wasn’t a fixed reality—it was a challenge that could be met with coaching, commitment, and a desire to continue sharing the experiences that mattered most.
Beric and I have now shared countless miles together. Along the way, he has inspired me to discover strengths I never knew I had, and together we’ve created memories that extend far beyond the finish line. Our connection continues to deepen through the challenges, triumphs, and everyday joys that come with training and racing side by side.
My hope is that wearing DFA2 Racing kits becomes a symbol of encouragement to other moms looking to step outside their comfort zones, chase big goals, and race with their whole hearts. And perhaps, just as importantly, to remind our children that some of life’s strongest relationships are built when we choose to share the journey.