On Watermelon Candies

I interviewed Elyse Bejasa about her experience in the industry, during the scholarship, and how that affected her life after she returned to Dashing Bicycles in New Orleans to put her new skills to use. Bejasa currently races for Urban South Racing p/b Rouler and collaborated with NOLA Cx creating a new cross event called BAWSECross that focuses on skillbuilding and inclusion of all groups of people, explicitly inviting those new to the sport.

Interview by B Vivit

Introduction pulled from the USA Cycling website; compiled by B Vivit

Sereda grew up BMX racing, running cross-country and track, and playing basketball. She enlisted in the Army in 1987 and retired in 2011 after 24 years of service. She was an avid runner and began road cycling while serving in the Army.

Monica sustained injuries to her neck, back, and a traumatic brain injury as the result of numerous deployments and an automobile accident.

In 2015, Monica completed two 450+ mile Ride 2 Recovery challenges, the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride, the Independence Fund Lt Dan Ride, and the World Team Sports Face of America ride all on her recumbent trike. In 2016, she progressed to her UCI trike. That same year, she also attended the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Development Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

From Levi’s to PrettyDamnedFast to Sun and Air: Anna Maria Wolf - 2016 UBI Scholarship Winner

Interview by B Vivit

For a while after being hired at UBI, I kept thinking, Anna Maria.. Anna Maria.. Why do I know that name? Anna Maria Wolf (previously Diaz-Balart) is the driving impetus behind Pretty Damned Fast, pretty much the only cycling blog I actually keep up with. She is also a QBP Women’s Mechanic Scholarship winner from January 2016.

Christine Hill, 2016 UBI Scholarship Recipient, Continues her Good Work at the Old Spokes Home

Interview by B Vivit

“I had spent 3ish years as an assistant manager at Old Spokes Home's Community Workshop where we refurbish donated bikes for low-income Vermonters and run a few different youth and job training programs. At the time I received the scholarship, I had moved into a more administrative, marketing, and programming role as the Old Spokes Home's Outreach Director. But I still swung a wrench frequently -- felt a little self-conscious when doing so.”