Hello! My name is Melissa Ross. I am also known at the "cowgirl cyclist" as I was born and raised in Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming where I was a cowgirl cyclist for 4 years. I am a professional cyclist, an artist, coach, wife, and a big sister. I am what you call a true lover of cycling! I am the 2nd child of 7 kids! All through grade school and high school, I was addicted to running and was blessed by many running achievements. However, through the frustration of consistent running injuries, it was during my senior year in high school that I gave up the running shoes and bought a road bike. It changed my life! From there, I joined the University of Wyoming's cycling team where I met my two true loves (my husband Aaron and bike racing!). If you know Aaron, he's extremely good at making you addicted to this sport!
During my sophomore year in college, I spent a semester attending an art school in Florence, Italy. Prior to the start of my semester abroad, I took a 3-week solo, 500 mile bike trip up the coast of Italy and through the mountains. It was during this adventure that I decided to become a professional cyclist. The following year, while watching "The Flying Scottsman," I became inspired to race in Europe. Immediately as the credits were rolling, I typed up a cover letter and resume and emailed it to every European team. I was turned down many times as I only had collegiate racing experience, however a UCI team by the name of Rapha Condor out of Britain signed me on. This victory was short-lived as the team's manager left and the funding was lost. I thought my dream was in the can. However, within a week, my coach, Frank Overton came to the rescue and connected me with the US National development team. In the spring of 2008, I spent a month in Italy and France racing with the USA Cycling women's development team.
After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a bachelors in art, I returned to Europe and spent the entire season as a privateer, riding with many non-English speaking teams and living off dimes. It was the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks to Chris Georgas from Limoux France (he owns Hotel Le Monastère), I was able to navigate around the European cycling scene successfully and safely. If you ask any American or Kiwi professional cyclist - they probably have been helped by Chris a time or two in their careers as well! Thanks to Mona Gamboa (my biggest sponsor who I will have a lifetime of repaying...a successful entrepreneur of Happy Jack Software) my blog began as a way to share my stories with the people back home. My blog emerged in 2008 and was called, "Chip-seal Cobbles, and Pedals, the Story of a Cowgirl Cyclist."
My wonderful and goofy husband is Aaron Ross (also a cyclist from Wyoming and who proposed on a bike ride!). After returning from Europe, for 3 years, I raced on the NRC circuit with Team Kenda presented by Geargrinder. Team Kenda will always be considered family to me. During this time I participated in the New England cyclocross scene and participated in many UCI events.
Now I am a co-founder and full time coach for Potential Energy Training & Nutrition and an artist (check out my site www.bikeartbymelissa.com). In 2012 when we moved to Arizona from Boston, I picked up a mountain bike and within the year upgraded to a pro. I have since moved my focus to professional mountain biking and in 2015 am riding with Team Bitty Bitty. In March of 2015, my partner Debra Doss and I tackled the worlds toughest mountain bike stage race, the ABSA Cape Epic in South Africa. We were the only US women's team represented at this event and finished 13th in a world class women's field!
Be sure to follow my blog as I write about my experiences as a cyclist; from training adventures to racing. Sometimes I will share my new recipe creations or cycling artwork too! It's my desire to empower you through sharing my passion for cycling and hopefully inspire you to chase your own dreams...whatever they may be!
