RACHEL BECK

“Uphill, downhill, I like that.” - Peter Sagan

D.O.B.: 4/24/1979

Birth city and state: Waterbury, CT

Current City: Aspen, CO

Height: 6ft

Specialty: mountain biking

Previous sports: rowing

Years racing: first year pro!

College attended: Brown University

Degree: Biology

Instagram link @catchrachel

Twitter link @CatchRachel

Rachel Beck has not had a typical path to professional bike racing. She started riding in her early 30’s after having three children as a way to carve out some time for herself and get back into shape. Soon, a passion and obsession with biking was born. She started winning local races in her hometown and in 2017 broke through and landed on some pro podiums. Rachel’s strengths are long climbs and high altitude rides. “Racing mountain bikes professionally is not something I saw at the start of this journey, and I feel both grateful and inspired to represent Team Twenty20.”

Career Highlights

• Winner Ride for the Pass road climb
• 2nd Place Pro Bailey Hundo mountain bike race
• 2nd Place WEDU Fifty mountain bike race
• Four-time finisher Leadville 100 mountain bike race

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

Initially, I wanted to impress my husband and kids, but now I want to impress Peter Sagan.

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?

Kristin Armstrong and Larissa Connors! Kristin, well I should have to explain that, and Larissa because she’s a teacher and she’s always having the best day ever...

Favorite meal when training?

Coffee and cookies-- and yes, in my book that is a meal.

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Having my kids and husband think I’m a bada$$ cyclist.

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Getting back to racing after a terrifying crash that broke my arm and dislocated my shoulder.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

Leadville, CO. I love the energy of the crowd and the fun signs my kids hold up to heckle me.

Favorite cross training or off season activity?

Ski mountaineering.

Best tip for a new bike racer?

Safety third!

What are one or two things that you do daily that are the key to your success?

I get a good night’s rest and obsessively follow my TrainingPeaks.

If you weren’t bike racing what would you be?

President of the Larissa Connors and Peter Sagan fan club.

If you could spend 10 days anywhere, where would it be?

In New Zealand riding my mountain bike.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. skiing with my family
2. baking cupcakes
3. gardening
4. reading trashy magazines
5. organizing my bike cubby

Top 5 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:

1. Santa Monica, Everclear
2. Son’s Gonna Rise, Citizen Cope
3. 24 Frames, Jason Isbell
4. Super Baby, Matthew Sweet
5. I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty

Favorite things to eat:

1. My son George’s chocolate chip cookies
2. Salads the size of my helmet
3. Mushroom pizza
4. Avocado toast
5. Eggs & bacon

Tell us something about yourself that people may not know:
I not only have three kids, I also have three dogs... chaos containment is my specialty.