Chipseal, Cobbles, and Pedals

There are many times when unexpected events unfold during a ride. Some rides can be so peculiar that they are ingrained as a permanent memory. Cycling can become mundane at times however it is the unexpected events that put a spice into any workout. Yesterday I did a tempo workout riding two 25 minute intervals of a 140-160 BPM heart rate.

We rode our cross fixie bikes. It was Aaron’s last day in town and his road bike was packed up so we hit the dirt, just the two of us. We’ve been together for the last three and a half years and he just got a job with a bike company, just outside of Boston, so he was headed to his new job in the morning. Aaron and I met on the cycling team my first semester at UW and have always ridden together, so I was very sad for him to go.

We rode along Soldier Springs Road, parallel to the train tracks and turned onto a dirt road where I started my first interval. My heart rate was very stable for the interval, but then we encountered a dog. We have regularly been chased by dogs, especially out in the country. Some are more aggressive than others. However, this particular dog only wanted exercise. He followed us several miles along that road, sometimes causing Aaron to curse at him when he’d cut him off.  The dog appeared to be an Irish setter, lean and grey with a tongue that dangled from his mouth as he ran. He reminded me of my dog Tipper that I had when I was 12. Tipper was a border collie from my aunt’s ranch and became my running partner until one day she ran off and never returned. Like Tipper, this dog was so friendly that we could have taken it home. When we’d ride past other vicious and barking dogs, this friendly thing would stop and smile at them and continue to follow us. I enjoyed the new company as it brought back memories of a past friend. Nevertheless, Aaron was getting a little testy about the dog darting in front of his wheel! We did a loop on the dirt and took the dog back to its house since the dog did not want to stop running. Then we went on with our ride.

My first interval went pretty well despite the constant shift in speed from avoiding near collisions with the dog. We turned onto another dirt road and I did 10 minutes of easy riding and then eased into my second 25 minute interval. As we came near the paved road, Aaron said we would turn left and head up a rather steep hill. I told him my heart rate might go too high, but then decided that it wouldn’t hurt. We climbed until we were near the top. Aaron got off his bike and asked me to stop too. I thought he needed to fiddle with his seat or something, but instead he walked towards me, pulled a tiny black box from his jersey pocket, opened it slowly, looked at me and said, “Will you marry me?” I welled up with tears and cried while wrapping my arms around him. “Of course I’ll marry you!” He asked why I was crying and I blamed it on being a girl. It was the most romantic thing and I was very surprised even though we were already planning a wedding for next Christmas.

As we pedaled down the hill in a heavy cross wind, I thought of the dog as being a lucky charm and realized that I would never forget him or the intervals. Aaron later said he would have proposed earlier but the “damn dog” was in the way.What a great way to close a chapter and start a new one. Aaron left early this morning for Boston, so this next chapter will have many challenges, but also adventures. Today I’ll begin preparing for that open road ahead.

Hello!

I am writing you as a Cowgirl cyclist, Wyomingite, and now an international professional athlete. Recently, I have taken an opportunity to proudly represent Wyoming next summer by accepting a contract to ride for Team Rapha/Lifeforce of Great Britain, an international professional cycling team. Next summer I will move to Belgium, where I will race several tours in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and other regions of Europe. I will compete for four months and enjoy an experience of a lifetime before returning to the States in September.

In order for this dream to be realized, I am asking for sponsors to lend their support. I will need to raise about $5,000 to cover my travel to/from Europe and food/rent while I’m there. The team will cover many of my expenses, including race fees, travel, and equipment, but airfare to and from Europe, living expenses, and food must be covered out of my pocket.

You may be wondering who, exactly, I am. Currently, I am a 22-year-old senior, attending the University of Wyoming. I will graduate in May 2008 with a major in art and minor in sociology. I have recently become interested in speech language pathology, so my focus currently is in the health sciences, and I have completed my undergraduate prerequisite courses for a future master’s degree in this area.

I was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming, by wonderful parents, Cathy and Patrick Doherty. In high school, I was a varsity cross-country and track runner, and I turned to cycling my senior year. For the past four years, I have raced for the University of Wyoming Cycling Club, striving to reach my fullest potential. Last season I was individually ranked second overall in the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference, which includes Colorado State University, Colorado University, and the national champion time-trial team, Fort Lewis College. I was the only Cowgirl who represented the University of Wyoming and was competitive against teams of five or more women.

This past summer, I found community sponsorship from Mona Gamboa of Happy Jack Software, the Laramie Bicycling Network, and friends and family to attend the U.S. Under 23 National Championships, held in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. I was seventh in the time trial, sixth in the criterium, and thirteenth in the road race. During the road race, we were combined with the Elite Women, which included the reigning World Champion time-trialer, Kristen Armstrong. These experiences have exposed me to the many facets of cycling and inspired me to race at the highest level and pursue a dream of a professional cyclist.

Any support you may be able to offer me would be greatly appreciated. I would not have been able to attend the U23 National Championships without the support of many wonderful people, and I promise that I will inspire and make the people of Wyoming proud!

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Melissa Doherty

Send your support to:

Laramie BikeNet
Attn: Melissa Doherty Racing Fund
P.O Box 2334
Laramie, WY 82073