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Sarah Vargas Races Track, MTB + Cyclocross — And She Has Awesome Advice!
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Sarah Vargas is an 11-year-old triple threat, racing cyclocross, mountain bikes AND track! I was so excited to hear her story and get her best advice. Enjoy!
When did you start riding? What type of riding did you start with? Did you change what you liked riding once you got going?
I started riding in cyclocross at the end of 2018. Before that I had a kids bike that I rode around my neighborhood a bit but cyclocross was my first experience racing. Now I’m riding cross, mountain bikes and track. I can’t decide which of the three I like the best.
When did you decide you wanted to start riding more seriously and want to start racing? I know you’re new to it, so what’s been the most fun so far?
I went to my first Cyclocross Nationals this past December and it wasn’t just the most fun thing I’ve ever done but it was also a great learning experience. Racing against girls across the country was challenging and I’m already working hard to get ready for next year.
Favorite part about riding?
My favorite part of riding is having fun. I love a good ride where there are technical parts but also fun along with it.
Least favorite part about riding?
This answer is silly buy honest. I don’t like to train. In racing I want to be the best Sarah I can be, but I really don’t like to train.
Have you made friends through racing? (If so, any tips for talking to new people? I’m always scared of that—so is the main character in the first Shred Girls book!)
Yes, at the start I was super shy. I had a couple friends that I always raced with, Summer and Aine and we would hang out all day long cheering for the other races. We also helped out with the races and that helped us learn everyone’s names. If you are racing don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to other people. Everyone I have met in the cycling community has been super nice.
Coolest trick or accomplishment you’ve had with riding?
In the last couple of weeks I’ve been trying to learn how to wheelie. I even posted a photo of me trying and tagged Wyn Masters. Guess what? He liked my photo and commented back with some tips. How cool is that?
What does a week of training/riding look like for you?
Monday night I ride at the velodrome, Tuesday and Thursdays are usually shorter training rides or skills and Fridays sometimes a second track session. The weekends are the best because we do longer fun rides. Lately since cross is over we have been on our mountain bikes. Where I live there are great trails that we can ride to from home.
Best tip for someone your age or younger who’d love to get started riding/racing, but doesn’t know anyone else to ride with?
Look around at school for kids using the bike rack or ask about group rides at your bike shop.
Best tip for tackling a scary section of a cross or MTB course?
Take a look at the section off your bike to scope it out. Watch what other people are doing and find the best line to go down. After you find the line, try riding it to get comfortable.
Absolute favorite piece of gear?
I just got a new Lazer G1 Mips helmet and it is super comfortable and lightweight on my head. I love it. It’s a hard choice because I have a bit of an obsession with collecting jerseys from cool bike shops that I have visited.
Favorite pro rider and why?
My favorite female is Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado because I love watching her in the technical sections. It’s hard to believe she is U23 and doing that good. My favorite mens riders are a tie between Matthieu Van der Poel, Peter Sagan and Tom Pidcock. They are all super strong and fun to watch.
Favorite place to ride?
Irvine Lake! I have raced cyclocross and mountain bikes there and it has got to be my favorite place to ride at.
What would you tell a girl your age who wanted to try riding but was scared?
I would tell her that I felt exactly the same when I was at my first race but I tried my hardest and just had fun and it wasn’t scary anymore.
Make sure to follow Sarah over on Instagram (and don’t forget to follow @Shred.Girls as well!)
