Meet our friend (and sponsored athlete) Libby, Ornot
I first met Libby on the roadside of Mt Tam. I had broken a spoke and she immediately started chiding me for yet another mechanical issue related to my wheels - I used to get a lot of flats. Now that I know her better I'm surprised she didn't offer me a sugary candy snack or perhaps she did but I can't remember. After that encounter we had numerous flybys on the trails of Marin as she has become a fixture in the local cycling community. When she's not out riding a bazillion miles she can be found at the nearest bakery that we've never heard of. Now we're excited to call her a friend, even if she does ditch us for intervals every now and then. - Matt
What sparked your passion for cycling?
My parents were big cyclists while I was growing up which meant I wanted nothing to do with riding bikes. But when I tore my ACL playing soccer in high school, it took one kind soul in my PE class to suggest I join the mountain bike team to get me to switch sports. Once I joined my high school team, I never looked back.
How did you get into bike racing and what types of bikes do you race?
I was incredibly fortunate to have a NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) high school mountain bike team where I went to school. I've raced on and off through high school, college, and now adulthood. I race gravel and mountain bikes!
What are your big races this year?
My big goal in 2023 was Leadville 100 in Colorado, but I have since decided to take a break from racing after a pretty hefty fall back in March.
What are your favorite snacks to eat while on rides?
Oh now we’re talking! Gotta love a mid-ride pastry, but I could also be swayed by a nice greasy piece of pizza. Cowgirl Creamery used to have a restaurant in Point Reyes and the money move was to swoop a mid-ride grilled cheese when Bovine Bakery was too busy.
What’s your favorite Bay Area ride?
I love any ride loop that includes Bolinas Ridge! It's a pretty remote trail so the hiking and biking traffic is quite light. It's a pretty magical zone surrounded by redwoods, ferns, and lush dirt but opens up near the bottom to vast green hillsides above the ocean.
How’d you get the nickname Libdawg?
A friend from college started calling me Libdawg and it stuck!
Why did you decide to ride for Ornot this year?
Ornot is not only local and community focused, but it also prioritizes sustainable products all of which made joining the Ornot team all the more attractive. I was also excited about the prospect of aiding in the development of new women's products!
What are some of your favorite Ornot products?
I love the droptail cargo bibs! The easy-access bathroom feature is a must for all women's bibs. Living in SF, the micro climate jacket and vest are my go-to, year round… gotta love that SF Summer ;)
Ornot designed a race jersey for you, can you tell us a little bit about why it’s special to you?
I was given a lot of freedom in the creative process to make the jersey exactly what I envisioned. I knew I wanted a purple/teal marbling and AJ and Matt were able to help hone in my ideas to a really cool and snazzy jersey, if I do say so myself.
Coming into the process I knew I wanted to pay tribute to my friend Moriah who passed away last year. My favorite part of the jersey is Mo’s dragonfly over my chest and the teal dragonfly print on my shoulders.
Another fun easter egg on the jersey is my dog Stella’s silhouette in the back pocket (a pocket puppy).
Ornot designed a trail shirt inspired by you, can you tell us about it?
The marbling of my custom kit was used to make the “sugar rush” trail shirt. It’s such a fun print that always brings a smile to my face. The shirt to me is about having fun, being chill, and enjoying the ride.
