And perhaps the most important.

When asked if she had any advice for other folks who are interested in bike racing, here’s what she said:

Life is too short, so why not?!

Most local bike shops sponsor or coordinate group rides. They can be weekend or mid-week. Some shops might have resources for 101 racing clinics and local races.

I suggest getting in touch with a group and just have fun! See where it brings you.

Always remember to have FUN, because when you do, you actually go faster! This is a FACT.

Stay tuned for more updates from Brianna as she works towards her pro career!

The post Yakima’s Brianna Walle | Advice for Aspiring Roadies appeared first on Road Trips.

Cyclist Brianna Walle, introduced here, has the skinny. Check it out.

What is your typical training schedule?
The road racing season runs February through August. At the peak of my training, I’m commuting to work 3-4 days a week and going for a long ride on the weekends. If I’m racing on the weekend, I reduce my miles in preparation for the event. The average miles range from 100-300 miles/week depending on the week and the event I’m training for.

Training in the wet, cold winter months in Oregon must be rough. How do you do it?
Great question! It can be really daunting to train in the cold and wet months. The secret? Take more friends! I usually ride with a group of friends once every two weeks for about 60-100 miles during this time of year.

We’re fully equipped with rain gear and good food and to keep it fun, and we often bring a bag with speakers and an iPod to blast our favorite tunes as we ride along.

Don’t worry, we take turns carrying the bag.

How do you train in the off-season?
September really is my “rest month.” That means two full weeks to totally chill out and hang out with friends I haven’t seen in MONTHS. There are parties, dancing, and other non-biking activities. In between I’m still commuting to work 3-4 days a week.

Once October hits, I’m out trail running, racing some cyclocross and mountain biking in southern Oregon. I’ll also throw in some weight training.

Come November, I begin three months of training for the next season!

The post Yakima’s Brianna Walle | You Gotta Train appeared first on Road Trips.

“You don’t have to go over an initial set of passes to get into the heart of the Wind Rivers. It’s very accessible,” says Becca Cameron.

Taking a backseat to it’s neighbor Grand Teton National Park, the Wind River Range hosts some of the best hiking in the nation, as well as two routes on the 50 Classic Climbs of North America list.

Next time you’re heading to Wyoming, maybe consider skipping the Tetons and instead visiting the Winds.

The post Backpacking The Winds | Video appeared first on Road Trips.

Racing for local team Ironclad Cycling for the past 3 seasons, she worked her way to Cat 1 level. That’s the category for elite cyclists with national caliber experience.

Most recently, she placed 1st overall as Best Amateur Cyclist at the Nature Valley Grand Prix (she’s in the green jersey above) as part of the Nature Valley Pro Chase Composite Team.

Told you she was badass.

We took a few moments to ask her a few questions about how she discovered the sport and what makes this lady tick.

When and how did you discover bike racing?
Three years ago after much encouragement from my co-workers here at Yakima. They could sense that I had a competitive nature about me, especially since I come from a racing background in other sports.

What was your first race?
A beginner,women’s race at PIR (Portland International Raceway). After a quick 101 racing clinic, I jumped right for the win.  It was then and there that I fell in love with racing.

Which sports did you participate in the past?
In high school and college, I ran cross-country, Alpine ski raced and played soccer. Prior to discovering bike racing, I ran half and full marathons and identified as a runner. That’s where I really got the racing bug.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next Brianna Walle post: You Gotta Train

The post Yakima’s Brianna Walle | From Rep to Racer appeared first on Road Trips.

Nor is it a walk in the park. The Lost Coast Trail traverses a stretch of wild seashore all but inaccessible to the outside world. Watch as the GearJunkie crew heads north to south for two days, battling bad weather, watching the tide, and dodging rogue waves along the way.

Are you a hiker? What other trails would you recommend?

The post Hiking The Lost Coast Of California | Video appeared first on Road Trips.

In western Minnesota, a cult following of climbers seek out exposed bedrock and giant glacial stones on a landscape otherwise dominated by farm silos and fields of waving grains. Check it out in this episode of GearJunkie’s Off the Map Series

Where’s the most unique place you’ve been climbing?

The post Bouldering The Great Plains | Video appeared first on Road Trips.

Just a quick jaunt west of Las Vegas, Nevada lies Red Rocks, a climber’s paradise loaded with stunning geological formations and enough routes to last a lifetime. Rainbow Wall rises from the desert as the centerpiece of this wonderland, singing its siren song to any climber who will listen.

Scaling Rainbow Wall goes beyond sport climbing. It drags from those willing to pay tribute everything they have to give. Their reward? Tired bodies, satisfaction and a spectacular view of Sin City.

The post Rainbow Wall Warriors | Video appeared first on Road Trips.

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Who was there to laugh with you? To hold their noses with you? To be awe-inspired with you?

Your friends.

Your buddies. Your chicas. Your compatriots. The whole fam damily.

That’s what made it worth doing.

You go out, you explore, and you come back different. Not by much, but, admit it: you’re more you when you get outside with friends. Do that over and over and over, and you’ve got a life well spent.

We believe in that. Put the gear on top. Put butts in the seats. Go.

Take more friends.

The post Take More Friends | Video appeared first on Road Trips.

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