This year for 2014, I have decided to change up my racing season a bit from the past 10 years of racing, and try something new. For the first time, I was asked on my USA Cycling license application, "What is your dominant sport: road or mountain." I checked mountain. So, to a new season - HERE I COME!!!

When I arrived in Arizona in June of 2012, it was an inferno. I had no idea that Phoenix had mountains either so every day I would look at the mountains and say to Aaron, "I would love to get a mountain bike and go explore those!" It didn't take long for him to surprise me with my first 29'er. And it didn't take long for me to make incredible friendships with others in the mountain bike community. The stress of moving so far had taken it's toll on me and it was such a release to get out on the trails and explore this new landscape.

Immediately I became friends with a wonderful person, Gianna Bianchi. She had just married my manager at FASTER and happened to live in the same apartment complex as I so she took to meeting me in the early mornings for a ride to teach me and show me the trails. We became really close friends in no time. She had just made a come-back from breast cancer and had completed Leadville 100. I had no desire to race Leadville at the time but she wanted me to promise to race it with her. But soon, she was again fighting for her life as the cancer returned.

Gianna (left) and Liz on our epic ride in 2012.

To make a long story short, Gianna is still fighting and not giving up. We rode together as much as possible until the cancer made physical activity a challenge. In December I hosted a mountain bike ride that raised over $2,000 to help her with medical expenses. Over 50 people showed up and provided support and positive energy to help her through this journey.

For me, this has been a big journey in my life and I guess I am just addressing on a more serious note that it has made me change the way I make decisions. For starters, I am not taking everything for granted and am looking at things that I would like to do - and just doing it! I took a hunch last summer, quit working full time at marketing and became a full time cycling coach working from home. Instead of waiting months or a year to see my family, I have started making regular trips and have enjoyed becoming closer to my siblings that are still at home and growing up too fast. Aaron and I also bought dirt bikes (the ones with a motor!). We spent a gazillion dollars on this new hobby but it has not only rejuvenated our love but has also been such a fun hobby that I never thought I'd try! I spent years after art school as a closet artist, making many paintings but never telling a soul I was an artist. I recently started my art website called bikeartbymelissa.com and have a big commissioned piece in the works!

My new art site bikeartbymelissa.com features some of my favorite cycling pieces along with new creations. 'Cyclobration' is a self portrait of me with my new bike and hangs in my kitchen.

And now, I am signed up for a full mountain bike season. I will be racing several MBAA (Arizona race series) along with some US Cup events and Sea Otter Classic. I am also planning on the Laramie Enduro and Leadville!

So far my season is off to a great start despite some crashes on my bike. However every time I fall, I think of Gianna and what she must go through with her full brain radiation and chemo and know that my bruise or cut is a small problem. I dust myself off.

I can even sport the tall socks in my races! -Photo by clippedinaz.com

My first mountain bike race this season was the McDowell Mountain Meltdown. I was recovering from a crash so my expectations were low for this event. There were 4 women in the pro field including top US Pro, Chloe Woodruff. I was able to stay on her wheel for the start but after about 10 minutes, I dropped back into 3rd and then into 4th. I kept a good pace but wasn't ready to push as hard as possible on the punchy climbs. As I came through the finish, I thought I was in 4th however the lady in front of me, Kata, had taken a wrong turn and had extended her final lap! So I finished in 3rd overall.

This year I am having more fun than ever, teaching people how to ride and trying some new things. 2014 is the year of the horse - and for a cowgirl cyclist, that means it could very well be my year, so I'd better make the most of it!