Rider Name:

Age: 47

Home: Austin

Occupation: Fitness and travel writer at Austin American-Statesman

Started mountain biking: I’m a long-time bike commuter who manages to get off road occasionally. I rode from Durango to Moab on the San Juan Hut system a few years ago, did a multi-day ride across Big Bend Ranch State Park and ride the loops of Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park in Austin now and then. I can’t handle anything too technical, but love the feeling of scampering over roots and rocks on my bike.

Experience at Reveille Peak Ranch: I felt like I was riding across a lunar landscape when I pedaled across those big granite uplifts at the top of Reveille Peak Ranch. Some of the upper trails were a bit, um, challenging for me, though. I really loved the lower trails, zipping through the woods and dodging rocks and weaving between those crazy big slabs of rock. More, please!

Favorite equipment: The orange commuter bike my husband built me from parts. I call it The Cheetoh. I switch out the narrow tires for knobby ones when I hit the trails.

One thing I’d challenge myself to do: Last summer, I swam around Manhattan Island in NYC with a four-woman relay team. This year, I’m upping the ante. I’m tackling the 28-mile Manhattan Island Marathon Swim with a friend as a two-person relay. Don’t worry. I’ve already got my Hep and tetanus shots and I plan to keep my mouth closed as much as possible.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us!