10 Minutes with Ben Berden and Nicole Duke – Part 2 Nicole Duke

As a part of our commitment to our Social Media Partnership of the SoCal Prestige Cyclocross Series, we posted part 1 of our interview with pro Cyclocross athlete Ben Berden. Here is the second part of our interview where we spoke with Nicole Duke on why she rides, what she’s looking forward to this season and what advice she would give to anyone looking to try Cyclocross.

We asked her 10 questions. This is what she had to say.

TL-What is the biggest change in Cyclocross that you’ve seen since you started participating?

ND-There are three major changes. The first is that there are more women starting to participate as well as Jr. Women. The second is that there has been a huge jump in your technology too; the introduction of the disc brake has been huge in the past year. Last year I was fortunate to ride the Sram disc brakes, and that piece of technology made a big difference in my performance and generally speaking the way everyone can ride. At some point the courses will evolve and change due to this piece of technology. And the third biggest change is the rise in membership across the board. Cyclocross used to be something mountain bikers and roadies did in the off season, but now it has become its own thing.

TL-What are you looking forward to the most this season?

ND-I’m really excited to see friends again and start that part of my life. Its six months out of the year that becomes that culture and that life. And at the end of that six months it kind of just ends and it feels like there is something missing. So now its like we are back to the beginning of the cycle again.

TL-What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a rider?

ND-To perservere and not give up. In this career there can be a lot of adversity and a lot of things that will make you want to give up. But you have to hang in there and be patient and give yourself a chance to be great.

TL-Where is your favorite place to ride?

ND-Hands down Crested Butte, Colorado. Its just so gorgeous and the wild flowers are amazing.

TL-What song plays in your head while you ride?

ND-“We are the Champions of the World,” by Queen.

TL-If you could have any superpower what what it be?

ND-To read other people’s minds

TL-When you were a child, what did you want to wear when you grow up?

ND-I didn’t have an exact job I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to wear a high power suit and live in the city.

TL-What is the one thing you want people to remember you for, what is your legacy?

ND-That I was a positive influence in the industry and that I was an inspiration to some people.

TL-What is your main focus right now with your career?

ND-My goal for the next few years is to inspire others and to give back and to give them the tools and the platform to be able to realize their dreams. I hope by doing so I can share what I went through so they don’t have to go through some of the things that I did. That would be my wish.

TL-What piece of advice would you give to other riders?

ND-Have fun with it. If the fun is gone, what are you doing it for? That is what cycling is all about; enjoyment.