Kaia Schmid Shreds on the Road and on the Cyclocross Course

I got to spend a week with Kaia Schmid this summer at the Ellen Noble CX Quest in Western Massachusetts — and before that, I was racing against her (and losing!) on the road in crits. Kaia is a double threat, despite still being in high school: She’s got serious power on the road and serious skills on the cyclocross course. That’s not a surprise, since she was brought up on bike riding! Let’s chat with her and figure out her best tips.

My coach has not only taught me how to train and fuel properly but he has also taught me to follow my heart and my passion, not just my natural abilities.

When did you get started in cycling?

My dad was a pro mountain biker, so he got me into racing my bike when I was seven. He would bring me to local kids races and I would compete against all the boys. That’s when I fell in love with cycling and knew it was a passion of mine that I wanted to pursue.

What’s your ‘primary’ cycling focus, if you had to pick one? Why?

My primary cycling focus is road cycling because there’s nothing like the adrenaline rush that comes over you after a field sprint. After crossing the finish line, and achieving a good result, the emotions flow over you, and it’s the absolute best feeling in the world.

What about cycling got you hooked?

My bike challenges me to push myself in ways no other sport can. I strive to become faster, beat my personal records, and dig a little deeper. It challenges me to overcome mental and physical obstacles. It may not take a day to conquer the obstacle, or even a year, but when I do the feeling is surreal. Their is absolutely no feeling like crossing the finish line first and knowing all the long hard hours of suffering and pushing yourself have payed off. When your on your bicycle all the worries go away, its like your on a mini vacation, and I get the privilege to be on that vacation every day I ride my bike.

Do you work with a coach? If so, best thing he or she has taught you?

My coach has not only taught me how to train and fuel properly but he has also taught me to follow my heart and my passion, not just my natural abilities.

Proudest moment in cycling?

My proudest moment was crossing the finish line 3rd at the Fitchburg Criterium during Crit week in the Women’s Pro 1/2/3 field. Upgrading to cat three earlier in the week, then being on the podium by the end of the week far exceeded my expectations. I surprised myself by that result, and the emotions showed after crossing the finish line.

Favorite part of riding?

My bike has brought me to so many beautiful places, taught me so many valuable lessons, and built a community of so many likeminded people. I ride my bicycle because it gives me the freedom to go on new adventures.

Least favorite part–and how you move past that?

Sometimes their are days where I don’t want to get on the saddle. Every cyclist has them, and to overcome an obstacle like this I question myself: why do I ride my bike? I ride my bike to go on adventures, see beautiful places, and win races. For those reason I get on my bike, and I never regret getting on the saddle after I finish my ride.

Racing is tough, because obviously, not every race goes according to plan. How do you handle it when you have a setback?

It’s never fun when you have a bad result or don’t exceed your expectations in a race. To overcome a setback like that, you must learn from your mistakes and ask yourself: what can I do better next time? You must challenge yourself to overcome physical and mental obstacles in order to move past an upsetting result.

Best piece of advice you ever got?

After losing a race in a awkward situation leaving me off of a national podium; I learned that sometimes the most difficult lessons will give me the most value.

Favorite moment + thing you learned at the ENCX Quest this summer?

At the ENCX Quest I learned how to improve my technique on the cross bike. I worked on getting on and off my bike, cornering, and riding through technical sections. My favorite moment was watching and supporting everyone as they tried to conquer the sandy off-camber section.

Tip for making friends with other cyclists?

Other cyclists are very likeminded and share the same passion and drive you do for the sport. There are so many similar experiences to share and bond off of. Support your peers and talk to them about cycling, and you’ll be friends in no time.

Follow Kaia on Instagram @biking1 and on Kaiaschmid.us