This Cyclist Could Become the First African American Woman to Go Pro
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In only her second year of racing bikes, Ayesha McGowan of Brooklyn took home the 2015 New York State Cat 3 road-race championship. The 28-year-old preschool music teacher is also the program director for the nonprofit InTandem, which uses tandem bikes to provide riding opportunities to people with disabilities. Here's how she plans to make history—and how she shares her love of cycling along the way.
"In 2007, I borrowed my mom's bicycle—may it rest in peace—from our basement. It still had a baby carrier attached to it, for my sister, who is eight years older than me."
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"The day before the New York State championships, I decided I wanted to win. I was nervous since I haven't done a lot of climbing. But I'm mentally tough—that's what I have going for me. If I decide I'm going to do something, I manage to pull it off."
"I've spent the whole year getting comfortable sticking to a wheel and trusting it. To get over the fear of being near people, do more group rides. In the city, a lot of the ladies who do these rides also race and are happy to give advice."
"Next year I will be a Cat 2, for sure. Hopefully, I'll be picked up by a domestic elite team."
"As far as I know, if I got a pro license, I'd be the first African American female pro. I'm waiting to hear about someone who's already done it—I would be so excited!"
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"My favorite part of training tandem captains is making them ride on the back. I have them close their eyes and take them in circles. People are like, 'Whoa, I can't do anything to control what's happening right now.' That's the moment they get it: You have to put your complete trust in the person on the front."
"On the tandem we try to be very verbal: count down to start and stop, mention any big bumps that are coming up."
"People with disabilities often don't get a lot of exercise. I love riding bikes; I can't imagine what I'd do if I wasn't able to do it anymore."
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