Nor Cal Velo's athlete of the month for May is none other than the "Queen of Annadel," Shannon Sobeck. Shannon got bit by the bike racing bug while at U.C. Davis, and has been a strong presence on the NorCal team for over 5 years. Below are excerpts from a conversation with Shannon last week:

CC: What is your special move in the video game of life?
SS: Wiggle-wiggle, shimmy, side-kick, cursty
CC: What is your favorite bike race? Tahoe Hopper, Year 2002 (?) The race distance was about 24 miles. We started at High Camp, rode up to Siberia (the top of the Siberia chair lift, basically the top of Squaw), down to base camp (bottom of Squaw), then back up to Siberia (see "top of Squaw" previously mentioned), then finished at base camp (see "bottom of Squaw"). I remember maybe 3 or 4 women starting this race, and many of the men dropped out- the race was NOT typical XC terrain! Very challenging, lots of shale at the top, big drops, whew! Not only was this a race of attrition of sorts, but it took SO LONG! My race time was almost 5 hours!!! This is a LONG TIME to go only 24 miles! Nonetheless, this felt like a great accomplishment because so many people had given up. This is my most memorable race for sure.
CC: Why NorCal Velo?
SS: I love my teammates! I have met so many great women since joining the team almost 5 years ago. We have so much fun riding and racing together, lots of laughs and great big epic rides. I also appreciate that NCV wants to help promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle, and that there are so many opportunities to participate in those types of efforts by being part of this team.
CC: When/where was your most adrenaline-filled moment as a cyclist?
SS: There is nothing like crashing on a mountain bike...knock on wood, it's been awhile since I've gone over the bars, or crashed hard. But learning to ride mountain bikes is probably when I experienced the series of most adrenaline-filled moments of my life!
CC: Chamois butter?
SS: NAY!!!
CC: What's something that we as cyclists can do to better Santa Rosa/Sonoma County?
SS: I think a great thing that cyclists can do to create a better Santa Rosa is to commute, run errands, integrate bicycles into our daily transportation. By setting this example, I think we would be promoting cycling as a part of a healthy lifestyle, including not only cycling specifically for exercise, but cycling for personal health and the health of the environment.
CC: What does it feel like to be in the middle of what everyone is calling your "break-thru" year?
SS: Ha! It feels great! I am enjoying all the attention. I love being photographed, interviewed, shaking hands, kissing babies. I hope we can get a NCV float in the Rose Parade- I could be the float princess! Can my pink mountain bike be on the float with me?
CC: What do you do for a living?
SS: I am a Landscape Designer** for a living. I chose to study landscape architecture in college, moved into a full-time job in landscape architecture after school, and I still love it! I generally work as a consultant on teams of architects and engineers for new construction projects. While I do spend a lot of time indoors, at least when I'm indoors I'm thinking about the OUTdoors! (**someday I will officially be a "Landscape Architect"-I am currently testing for licensure)
CC: What makes you uniquely qualified to be the Official "Mayor of Annadel"?
SS: I spend a lot of time in Annadel- it is my absolute favorite place to be. I am friendly and charming, and I think when people see me in the park it makes them happy! I am spreading the love.
CC: Do you date bike boys? Dirt or Road? Is it a pre-req for your men to shave their legs?
SS: While fresh on the dating scene, I would have to say, yes! I think I do date bike boys, in fact, this is on **the list**. Hmmm. Let's go with Dirt. While it is most certainly not a pre-requisite for my beau to shave his legs, this may turn out to be an agreed-upon direction. I am open-minded: potential suitors will be independently evaluated. ** THE LIST**: If you would like to see my list of pre-qualifying traits, let me know. I am serious.
CC: Favorite part of riding from Telluride to Moab on MTB's?
SS: My favorite part was the uniquely different geography we moved through on this route. From the "box-canyon" of Telluride to the red hills of Moab. Each day on this trip we saw something new! My other favorite part was the single-track we added to our route- an additional element of adventure to our trip. My friends found single-track on GPS linking two parts of the established route, and we'd go for it! One day we started out from the hut, took a single track option, and when we got back on the regular route after 5 hours of singletrack, we were only 6 miles from the hut we had started at! LONG DAY!!! My other favorite part was riding Porcupine Rim into Moab- -It was the coolest way to arrive in Moab after a 7 day journey!
CC: Are pink bikes faster?
SS: Yes, they are. Especially when they're 4 years younger, smoothly operating, and 5 lbs lighter than your old bike! Please ask Yuri for his opinion as well.
CC: Dirt Crits vs. Tuesday Night Crits?
SS: DIRT. Hands down.
CC: Who are your favorite riding partners?
SS: Cathy Crawford. I love Cathy because before every ride we do she tells me how slow she's feeling, then she clobbers me every time! She's deceptive, but I love her :-) Denise Prue. I have enjoyed some seriously awesome conversations and lots of laughs on rides with Denise. Oh, and lots of lots of pastries, enzymes, and tea. Cindy Carroll. Doesn't happen often, but I do so enjoy riding with Cindy. She is a HOOT! She loves mountain biking, it's a new passion for her, and her energy and spirit can't be beat! You can't help but smile while she's whooping and laughing riding single track.

By Cathy Crawford