Shred Girl IRL Ali Artzberger Balances Cyclocross with Grad School

Ali Artzberger is an engineering graduate student at Colorado School of Mines with a secret desire to use her engineering expertise to make bikes even better… when she’s not out training and racing cyclocross! The 23 year old came to cycling later in her college years and admits that she’s a newbie when it comes to competitive cycling, but says, “I have passion and desire for days!”

Ali was an absolute blast to chat with as she starts to navigate what the world of competitive cyclocross might hold for her, and I wanted everyone to hear her awesome story and advice.

Why did you start riding bikes?

Before I really came down with bike fever, bikes were still a pretty constant presence in my life because my dad is an avid cyclist. We would tool around the neighborhood occasionally, but I didn’t do a ton with them, myself. It was obvious, though, that there must be something about them if my dad spent so many hours riding. When I went to college, my bike (a ten-year-old Trek hardtail that I’d bought myself — weighted with loads of sentimental value) became my primary way of exploring my college town, Golden, CO. I went to school on a track scholarship after years of playing soccer like my life depended on it, so I also used spontaneous, secret bike outings to satisfy my desire for endurance-focused exercise that I wasn’t getting with my training for long jump, and as a much-needed outlet from the stress and frustration associated with school. My sophomore year, I was gifted a family friend’s old road bike, and things really took off from there. I went for my first real ride with my dad (still with flat pedals and wearing a t-shirt, mind you, but out on the road with no purpose other than the quest for a good time). I started going on longer and longer rides and quickly realized that bikes were IT. And I began counting down the months, weeks, days until my track responsibilities were over and I could ride as much as I wanted.

I realized just how gosh darn amazing it is to ride my bike and escape daily stresses and explore the world. Now, I do it every chance I get.  My dad is an avid cyclist, too, and we’ve shared unforgettable experiences together in the saddle. And I’ve met other incredible people, too. I raced my first road season last summer after completing my eligibility as a track athlete, followed by my first season racing ‘cross, and I had a lot of success. Now, I desperately want to see how far I can go.

I guess that’s the long-winded way of saying that riding bikes presented itself as a perfect outlet, and one that my dad and I could share.

What was your favorite part?

That’s a super tough question! It’s all been so fun, which is why I keep riding. One of my favorite memories, though, came during my first race. My dad was waiting about halfway to hand me a fresh bottle. I was coming up to the area where I was expecting to find him, but didn’t see him on the side of the road. Then I noticed his parked car… and realized he was still sitting in it. He looked and saw me, did a double take, and then launched out of the car, shouting, “What the heck are you doing here already?!” He rushed to the trunk of the car where he had my bottle in a cooler and was fumbling like mad to try to grab it. I started to slow down (I’d ridden away from the rest of my competitors, so I didn’t think it would be a terrible thing to wait) but he urged me to keep going. I was coming up on a descent and picking up speed, and I figured I’d just be rationing my remaining water for the rest of the race. Then my dad went by in his car. A minute or two later I saw him parked again and he jumped out of the car with my bottle. Except I was still carrying a lot of speed from the descent, so he started sprinting and I ended up getting my bottle baton-style, like we were racing a relay on the track or something. We were both laughing pretty hysterically, and it was a total mess and very much indicative of the fact that I was so totally new to the whole racing thing, but I will absolutely never forget it.

What was the hardest part?

I am terrible at admitting to myself when I need a break. I always want to do more, and I love riding so much, that sometimes I toe the line of riding tired and totally overdoing it. Learning to dial it back after a long stretch of hard riding had definitely been difficult.

How did you choose CX as your focus?

I found CX thanks to the steering of someone I met at the finish of my very first road race. He was impressed by my performance and asked after my background and was quite beside himself that in my past I’d done a lot of agility-dependent sports. During my first race was struck by how perfectly imperfect it all was. It didn’t necessarily matter how it looked as long as you could get it done, with bonus point for being clever about it. Every time someone asks be about CX, the first thing I say is that it’s “stupid fun,” because I can’t believe how much fun I have while racing. Maybe what I should really say is it’s diabolical fun, because that would better capture how I so enjoy the personalized strategizing that drives a lot of your success in a race. Ultimately, if CX becomes my only race discipline it will be because I love, love, love getting to make a plan in-race, based on what I know about my own strengths and the new things I learn about my competition and the course with every lap.

What was the best tip you’ve ever been told?

I’ve been blessed to come into contact with many people who are excited to help me in my development as a rider. I think the best tip I’ve been given is to never ask for anything for free. Sure, make connections and take advantage of opportunities to learn from others’ experience, that is extremely important! But when it comes down to it, if you’re not willing to put in all of the hardworking yourself, you can’t sustain a bike career on favors alone.

Proudest accomplishment?

Every November, New Belgium Brewing hosts Cross of the North, a two-day race weekend with the biggest crowds I’ve encountered in my short cross career. And, for once, my races were in the middle of the day instead of at the crack of dawn, so there were actually people there! The course had some pretty technical features, and I found myself approaching a lot of things differently than the other racers during pre-ride. I decided to take a chance and try to be clever about it all (maybe not the ideal word… but I was definitely trying for a smart, mental race rather than one where I just tried to attack everything with physical effort). During the first laps, the spectators were at their heckling-best when I was taking weird lines or getting off my bike when no one else was. But I started making a lot of gains when I did that, so soon they were going wild cheering for my tactics. It was so fun! I’ll never forget those races. I’m very proud that I was able to so effectively use my mind to sweep the weekend. The mental side of cross is one of my favorite things about it, so I love that I can play that game and be successful.I made a lot of gutsy decisions to ride different lines and run in places where nobody else was, because I felt that it played more to my strengths. I was nervous about doing these different things, but it paid off.

Schoolyard Cross 2019, Longmont, CO: The start line was in the middle of a soccer field on “soul-sucking grass” and tracked right to a series of steep descents/climbs on an irrigation ditch. I knew I needed to get the holeshot, because I knew I could handle that ditch better than anyone else, and I didn’t want to get caught behind anyone. I had my greatest start EVER and pulled off my plan to perfection, riding away for the win in my second race as a Cat 3. Long story short, it felt amazing to strategize and then execute like that. I guess those moments that I’m most proud of are situations where I’ve been able to use my internal engine and my brain to find success.

What are your goals in cycling?

I want to race at Cross Nationals next year and ride my way onto elite road and cross teams. I also want to race Tour of the Gila. I want to podium at the Collegiate National Road Race, race nationals in CX, and hopefully have the opportunity to race CX a few times in Europe. (I’d love to race on the road in Europe, or travel anywhere to race, really, but I have to overcome a lot of technicalities, first. I’m still a 4 since I only started racing last summer). I want to eventually race in the Giro Rosa and in the Spring Classics on the road. I also want to be able to travel to UCI ‘cross races, domestic and abroad. And I want to be in a position to push race organizer to take us girls seriously! We need more than just Le Course, and a ‘cross race should be an hour long!

Advice for younger girls interested in riding?

Don’t be intimidated by what image/air that tends to surround cycling. A lot of times it might seem like you can’t hack it because you don’t have super nice, matching kit or a super nice bike, or you don’t know the “rules” about how to wear your sunglasses with your helmet. If anyone gives you a hard time, just shake it off and use it as extra motivation to drop them on the next climb. You’re probably faster than them, anyway.

Advice for balancing school and training?

I’ve only been competitive with cycling for my final year of graduate school, but I was a varsity track and field athlete for all of my other years. I also went to Colorado School of Mines which is pretty infamous for having an overly heavy and difficult work load. So time management was necessarily the first thing I learned when I went to college. Just make sure you’re keeping tabs on what you have to have done, and when. There’s nothing worse than having to panic-write a lab report two hours before it needs to be turned in because you forgot about it. That being said, recognize that, oftentimes, when you’re grinding away on an assignment or neck deep in a textbook trying to prep for a test, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is take a break and go do something you love. Like ride your bike. Taking thirty minutes (or an hour… or six) to step away and clear your mind can work wonders for your ability to get back, focus, and be productive.

Favorite piece of gear?

Not necessarily a piece of gear, but something I use while riding (and also pretty weird): I love, love, love ginger chews. Especially Gin Gins by the Ginger People. They’re kinda hot/spicy, so on a cold day they make the air your breathing feel warmer, and they work wonders for knocking the sickly-sweet taste that is sometimes left behind by energy gels. And if you’re like me and have pre-race nerves that often manifest themselves in an unsettled stomach, Gin Gins are great for that too! I almost always have some in my pocket.

Favorite person to ride with?

My dad. He’s the one who got me started, and he is an endless font of cycling knowledge that he doles out every time we ride. And now I’ve convinced him to try cross in the fall, so hopefully I can return the favor!

Follow along with Ali on Instagram for more of her adventures at @aliartz20!