Erica Keller

Age:28

Race Discipline and Category: Cross-country, sport.

Years racing: 1

Bike(s) of choice: Full suspension Specialized, recently converted my old Cannondale Hardtail to a single speed- it's been a lot of fun to ride.

Mountain bike history: I wanted a mountain bike when I was about 8 years old. My father bought me a pink road bike. I was heart broken. When I was 20 years old, had a small amount of cash in my pocket as an undergrad student, and came to Olympia to stay with my uncle (Todd) for a summer, I got my second chance. I found a used Cannondale, custom built by Jeff Hames, in Port Angeles after test-riding about 10 bikes in Seattle. I rode it out along Hurricane Ridge on my way home with it, and I've been riding ever since then. I mostly used it to commute to campus during undergrad and vet school but got out on occasional weekends for some technical single-track, and tired out a few guy-friends. Then I became employed, bought a used full suspension bike (from Rachel) and then I started racing, just last year.

Race history/goals: My first two races were at the end of the Budu series last year and were a lot of fun, after those, I decided I didn't mind the mud if it meant riding with a bunch of other nutty bikers and possibly winning a race or two. I raced in the Indie series; Women's Sport class, and won for my age group. Not bad for the first year, and staying busy as a new vet. Over the winter I converted my first bike into a single speed and hope to race in the Budu series with it. I am also hoping to ride in some longer endurance rides this year as well as the Indie series again. FOCF racing has been a lot of fun too- The Super D weekend was awesome last year!

Favorite riding area/trail: Capitol Forest- 8-50-6, though during the winter down towards Porter is better.

Favorite race course: Hmm. The sick puke course this past fall was awesome in it's variety of terrain and degree of challenge in it's length. As well as the weather!

Favorite bike buddies; My canine running buddies; Blueberry and Sarnin (Sarnin is soon to become a biking buddy- we'll see how she does on the trails this year!).