Profiling the Future of American cycling: Alise Post
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Alise Post is one of the nation's top young BMX racers.
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Birthdate: Jan. 17, 1991
Top accomplishments to date: 2010 BMX World Championships -- 3rd place Elite Women
Team: Redline Bicycles, JBL! Audio, Tangent, Oakley USA
Education: University of San Diego
Website: redlinebicycles.com/rider/alise-post11
How did you get started in the sport?
I was a gymnast forever. I actually just finished that up in 2009 as well. I was really heavily involved in that, as well. I actually competed in Track and Field as well for five years. I was three-sporting it for a while, mostly gymnastics and BMX, though. I started BMX prior to any of those when I was six because of my brother. He basically went out to the track a few weeks before me. He saw some little girls out there and said, ‘Hey, Mom and Dad, let’s get her out there before she joins dance or something too girly.’ I was actually too scared to do it at first. I wouldn’t go down the hill. It was way too nerve wracking for a 6-year-old girl. My parents almost pulled the plug on it right then and got the money back from the membership. I tried it the next week and loved it ever since and never looked back.
What do you love the most about cycling?
Obviously, I think all of us are adrenaline junkies and love the competition of head-to-head racing. I think it’s really cool to be able to travel around the world, especially at such a young age. We’re competing around the world and have friends from everywhere. We’ve had a lot of life experiences at a young age.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
I think for me coming out of Minnesota, six months out of the year it was snowing. I was always in the gym all winter long, not really riding my bike. I’ve always been really strong. As far as technically on the bike, I’ve had to work a little harder than everyone else to get it into those six months when it’s nice out. I think moving out to San Diego, I’ve skyrocketed in my skills in all of my technical work on the bike. That’s where I’ve probably had to work the most.
Has there been anyone/anything that's been most influential in your career?
My boyfriend, Sam Willoughby. He’s top dog in the elite men’s class. He’s out of Australia. After I met him, when I was finishing high school. I was at a turning point of getting on specific BMX training, learning about racing internationally. He’s won numerous international competitions. In a way, following in his footsteps, obviously I’ve done my own thing, but at the same time I’ve learned a lot from him about his routine, his approach to everything and his focus on the sport. That’s been pretty influential to me.
What opportunities has USA Cycling provided you with?
USA Cycling has helped me tremendously. Number one, getting to move out here with all of the training facilities in the world in sunny San Diego area. The sunshine is awesome. We have all these tracks here at the Olympic Training Center. We have the Olympic track, the ABA track, the small pump track. We have a BMX mecca here. They support me all the way, funding me to the events and getting me where I need to be to make things happen and get results and keep getting funded to do things. I thank them a lot for everything, for the whole women’s program, coaching, all of that. It’s been phenomenal.
What is your biggest goal that you’re working toward?
In the back of your head, it’s always the Olympics and London. Right now, I’m focused race to race, keep the goals short term. If you get too far ahead of yourself, things start going wrong and thinking too far ahead of yourself. Take it day by day and event by event.
What advice would you give to youngsters just starting in the sport?
Just have fun with it. I think a lot of people now are trying to take it pretty serious at a young age. It’s good to get some discipline and stuff. At the same time, I think some of the best bike riders in the world have been good because they just had fun on their bikes and became good bike riders. When you’re at that age when you can start working on becoming stronger, faster, all of that stuff. I think everything comes into play for everybody. Mostly have fun. BMX is a fun sport.
What do you do when you're not riding a bike?
I do lots of things. I have my friends at the college. I hang out with them quite a bit. I know a bunch of people around the Training Center. They have a high bar, I go hangout and do some gymnastics and stuff like that. I just love to be around people, so whatever’s going on, I’m there.
This Article Published May 5, 2011 For more information contact:
