sher >> bio

The Basics
I have been a jock my whole life, but that hasn’t stopped me from wanting to be a girl. I just like to play harder than some. I love mountain biking because it constantly provides new challenges. There is always another dimension of your riding to improve, always things you can do better.

Sports Background
While I didn't compete in BMX like most of the Gravity athletes, I have an extensive background in sports. I was a junior olympic swimmer as a kid, and also played soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse. I was the first 3-time 1st team NCAA all-american in the history of my University (in lacrosse). I played 12 seasons in college, and 11 of those went to post-season play. I was voted the top female athlete at my university as a senior.

The Bike Beginnings
I rode a lot on BMX bikes as a kid with my sister, jumping off things and playing around. When I started riding mountain bikes, I had a good sprint and good skills for a beginner. The sprint probably came from all the other sports I did. I always had a fascination with bikes, and would read about big races like the tour de france.

Seattle Daze
I moved to Seattle, and worked in a bike shop, and that is when I really got into riding. I am amazed that I stuck with riding, given the horrible wet conditions I started with in Seattle! It always rains, but it sure is a beautiful place! My first bike race I participated in was a cyclocross race. My running background and the anaerobic nature of the sport probably helped me survive and do ok in those events. With mountain biking, I raced XC first, winning my first race as a beginner, then moving through the sport and expert ranks within the first year. I was also a bike messenger during this time period, which meant all I did all day long was ride! I had an 8-mile commute in to the city each way, so I got a nice base going!

Turning Pro
I tried a downhill as part of a stage race, and won that DH as well as the dirt crit in the expert category. I then participated in the Iron Horse Classic, where I did DH, XC, and the road race. The DH was a combined Pro/Am event, and I got 5th overall, with many top riders present. I was upgraded to Pro from that point. So, I competed in two DH races and was a pro. It was a rough start, being thrown in the mix like that. But I did alright I guess!

The rest is history!

sher >> highlights
2002 NORBA National Downhill Champion
Full-time graphic designer/multimedia specialist
School and community presentations
BS in history, AA in Graphic Design/Multimedia
3-time NCAA 1st Team All-American, Lacrosse
Best Athlete, St. Lawrence University
Jr. Olympic Swimmer