Meredith MILLER - Interview

Interview of Meredith MILLER

1) What got you into cycling?

I played soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and continued playing in a semi pro league after graduating in '96.  After the '97 soccer season my team folded, which left me looking for something else to keep me competitive and fit.  My husband had started racing and I thought it fit the criteria I was looking for - fun, competitive and incredibly tough.

2) What was your first race like? 

It was a crit and it actually went pretty well. I had joined a great women's team in Madison which was full of veterans who taught us newbies a lot about racing bikes - pace lining, drafting, cornering, etc - so I was better prepared than most people in their first races.  That being said, I'm sure if I saw a video of myself from back then I'd have some good laughs about all the mistakes that I made.

3) What were the emotions that ran through your mind when you the U.S. Championships? 

Did that really just happen?!  Everything seemed like such a blur.  Disbelief and excitement were the two emotions that kept alternating in mind for months.  Honestly, it has taken me a long time to come to terms with being the National Champion.  It could have been any one of my teammates to win that day and the fact that it was me was shocking! 

4) What were your main highlights in 2009? 

Winning the national championships, of course. 

5) Tell us the best day on the bike? 

There are so many but some that come to mind would be finishing races like Tour of Flanders, Fleche Wallonia, the women's Tour de France and Gyro d'Italia, Tour de l'Aude...some of the hardest races in the World.  Others would be riding my bike in places around the World that most people just dream of visiting - Toscana (Lucca in particular), France, Australia, New Zealand

And the worst? 

There were a few mtn bike rides in Denmark (I lived there for 2 years) when I completely fell apart on the wet roots so I pulled the pin and went home pissed off.

6) What has cycling meant to you and given back to you? 

I have been racing my bike for 11 years - cycling is who I am and what I am about.  Because of my bike, I have seen places around the World that I probably never would have seen otherwise.  I've met incredible people and made friends across the globe.  Cycling has provided an outlet to unleash my competitive drive.  It has given me an opportunity to stay fit and healthy while doing what I love.  Riding a bike has introduced me to people and places that I will never forget.  It has given me a career - one that I would never trade for anything. 

7) The one thing you would change in cycling would be? 

Equality between men and women regarding race opportunities and prize money.

8) What are your goals for 2010? 

Represent the stars and stripes to the best of my ability for my team and sponsors, my teammates and myself.  Continue to be the best teammate that I can be to help TIBCO once again be the number team in the US.



Meredith