Anne Sauer
“Last year [Climate Ride California 2015] was one on the best experiences of my life. When I registered, I had been commuting by bike for less than a year, had never biked more than 18 miles in one go, and had never camped for five straight days, not to mention, I had never raised that much money before (and I was more nervous about those things than I was about cycling!)”
After a precarious first year, this young woman returns for her second Climate Ride California stronger than ever. Weeks before last year’s event, Anne spent an evening in the emergency room after a wreck while descending a large hill during a training ride. Not seriously injured but definitely shaken, Anne mustered the courage to continue with the 5-day, 350-mile ride. Still haunted from her accident, she opted out of the century day or the infamous Leggett Hill–a 22 mile climb followed by a screamer of a downhill.
“Speaking of hills, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t coming back this year with something to prove,” Anne explains. Inspired by her experience last year, Anne signed up as team captain for Team SFBC (San Francisco Bicycle Coalition) and has bravely led her team over many hills both on and off the bike–training for Climate Ride and fundraising for SFBC. Working diligently to rebuild her confidence and hone her descending skills, Anne has already climbed and descended Mt. Tam in San Francisco and pedaled her first century while training. Anne calls her bike her “anti-gravity machine, for taking me to summits and views I wouldn’t venture toward were it not for my bike.”
Teammate David Cox-Espenlaub describes the impact Anne and his team have had on him. “I have a fantastic team leader, Anne, and without her guidance and energy from her and my teammates, I don’t know that I would have come this far on my own. I am so proud of my team!”
Above: Anne on the Golden Gate Bridege earlier this year having just completed her first Century.
“Now, I am not afraid of fundraising, I’m a more confident camper, and I’m in the best shape of my life!” Anne explains. “Climate Ride taught me I was capable of doing amazing things.”
Keep your eye out on the California Ride 2016 for this young lady and her team in their black and orange fox-covered jerseys! You can learn more about Anne’s story and support her cause here!