Race 1 Performance MVP: Megan Brinkmeyer
“It’s not always simple, ideal, or stress-free, but for me, doing the things that make me happy and sharing experiences with the people I love are all the motivation I need to make it happen.”
Get to know some standout folks in our community during the 25th season of Sacramento Cyclocross, presented by Performance Bicycle! We’re honored to highlight Megan Brinkmeyer as our Race 1 Performance MVP.
How long have you been racing cyclocross and how did you get into it?
I started racing road in 2015 and had primarily considered myself a “roadie”. I started racing CX in 2017 during my road off-season when some friends convinced me to come out and try it. I was definitely unsure of the whole “running through mud/sand and hopping over things” when I first started.
What is your “day job” and how do you balance the training needed to compete at a high level and all your other responsibilities?
I work as a Criminalist with the California Department of Justice doing Forensic Science. Specifically, I work with firearms in the laboratory and help to process crime scenes throughout our region. “Oh, like CSI” is what people usually say when I tell them what I do. 😊
Ooh, balance… that is the hardest part. And no one gets it right all the time, but it is about continually striving for it. The thing that works for me is that I really do just enjoy being outside and riding my bike, whether it be solo or with some friends. For fun, I enjoy exploring places and seeing new things by bike. For competitive racing, I like watching the progress I make each year, which enables me to toe-the-line with the best-of-the-best in the states. Sometimes riding with friends is what keeps me going, and other times, it’s the satisfaction I feel when I crush a hard set of intervals. Realistically, balancing everything is like a give-and-take process. There will be some weeks when training is all-consuming, which means that the yardwork or the house chores will get put on hold. But then there are recovery weeks when I can catch up on life a little bit before the process repeats itself. It’s not always simple, ideal, or stress-free, but for me, doing the things that make me happy and sharing experiences with the people I love are all the motivation I need to make it happen.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your cycling career?
Due to an unknown condition that caused rapid deterioration of the cartilage in my hip joints, I had to have both of my hips replaced back in 2016-2017. During this time, I was dependent on crutches for a little over a year, so I had to go through a lot of physical therapy to help the muscles and joints in my lower body re-develop and learn how to function again. Since then, I have gradually and continually kept making progress in the many forms of cycling in which I participate (road, MTB, CX, time trial).
Tell us about your race bike! What is it and how have you personalized it?
When I first started racing cyclocross, I obtained a used Scott CX bike with rim brakes. It worked fine for the first few years, but I had to retire it during COVID when I found a large crack in the head tube. Because the bike industry blew up during COVID and people were purchasing bikes like crazy, I could not demo all the different types of cyclocross bikes on the market at the time. One of our local shops, Kinetic Cycles, had some Specialized Crux bikes in my size in stock. After test-riding one, I realized just how limited I had been on the used Scott CX bike I had. The Specialized Crux was fast, responsive, and nimble, and the disc brakes were like magic! So, I immediately purchased the Specialized Crux in the “Blush” color with a 1x SRAM drivetrain. Since my purchase, I have upgraded to a Reynolds wheelset and a Wolf Tooth chainring, which can handle all the potential bumps and bangs that may occur during any given cyclocross race.
What are your goals for this season?
My goals for the season are to continue to learn and develop in the sport at a high level, in addition to having fun with the local cycling community!