Race 6 Performance MVP: Caetie Ofiesh
Meet Caetie Ofiesh, our 3rd place Women’s A finisher for Day 2 at Rusch Park and the Race 6 Performance MVP. We’re highlighting Caetie because she made her first podium of the season, showing a dedication to fitness improvement and racing at a high level. She also rides with such a calm, focused demeanor on the track we wanted to know what drives her to keep pushing harder. Performance Bicycle is proud to help us highlight Caetie with a $100 gift card!
How long have you been racing cyclocross and how did you get into it?
I started in 2016 by taking a cyclocross clinic in Golden Gate Park with former American pro Elle Anderson, who worked at Strava at the time, and did my first race a month later at Candlestick Park. I was on a 28 pound Surly Cross-Check but still managed to have a great time so I stuck with it. I raced in the Bs for the next few years, and had just started racing As at the end of 2019. Then I went full on in 2022 for my first pretty serious season.
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 own a firm in SF that works with small businesses, mostly in food and beverage, on design, operations and marketing projects. Riding and training are just part of my weekly rhythm, and being part of the Ornot team and the San Francisco Cycling Club keep me out there pretty much all year. I don’t do much structured training, and usually just race into shape each season, which hurts!
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your cycling career?
Hm, I’m not sure. I was more serious about other sports growing up and in college, so cycling has always been just fun for me and I rarely lose motivation. I strained my forearm pretty badly last year racing Downieville, and that kept me out of the 2023 cyclocross season which was frustrating because I was in terrific shape. I had some other small injuries this year as well and started racing a little late this season. So I guess just mentally staying positive during the times that are more tough than fun, but most of the time I’m just happy to be out here.
Tell us about your race bike! What is it and how have you personalized it?
I race on a Juliana Quincy with Shimano GRX, Ritchey cockpit and Reserve wheels, and it’s one of my favorite bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s got the beautiful navy and gold paint job from 2019, which still gets so many compliments, and it has the perfect versatility for both cyclocross and gravel. Sorry Santa Cruz folks, but I am bummed that they changed the geo in 2024! Otherwise I would have just kept buying them.
What are your goals for this season?
Honestly, just excited to be back racing hard, gaining fitness and working on my race acumen and tactics. My goal was a podium this season, and I got that on Day 2 at Rusch Park. So from here, I just want to keep improving on skills, pushing myself and having fun.