Jasmin is a competitive cyclist and triathelete basedin Chicago. Get to know Jasmin a little more in this Q & A.
Note: All images are Jasmin's. Follow her on Instagram at @princess_layup.
Tell us your bike story. How did you get into biking, what kind of biking do you do, etc.
Upon moving to Chicago in 2012, I became a dedicated commuter. I like exploring a city via bike and it seemed to be a much more efficient way to get around town. I discovered cycling as a sport through Annie Byrne, the owner of BFF Bikes, a women-focused bike shop in Chicago. She invited me on the team and I fell in love with it. The camaraderie, the competition, the ups and downs of training, the community and the adventure that cycling offers are incredible and I wouldn't want to miss it in my life.
I can be found commuting through the city pretty much every day, and I compete in triathlon, road racing, and occasionally on the track, on gravel or in cyclocross. I am an active part of the Chicago bike community - as a resource or a volunteer for organizations such as the Chainlink or World Bicycle Relief. I love giving back what everyone has given me when I first entered the wonderful world of bikes.
How do you describe Po Campo to your friends, or what do you think is special about Po Campo?
Po Campo is where functional meets fashionable. What I find special about Po Campo is that it is designed by women for women. I love supporting women owned businesses in general, but he greatest part is that the products actually make a difference for challenges that are more gender-specific.
A suggestion for women who are interested in biking but have safety concerns?
Don't be scared! Riding in traffic can seem overwhelming, but it makes for such a great way to get some fresh air when using caution and bringing a good attitude. I also recommend riding with someone or reaching out to cycling groups and taking some clinics - practice makes perfect. Bike communities are usually pretty welcoming and all questions and fears can be addressed - we've all started at one point and chances are that we felt the same initially.
If you could take a bike vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
All of the places! It is hard to pick and choose, but as an expat from Germany, I would really love to bike across the US from the East to the West Coast at one point.
Do you have any bike goals for 2018?
In general: Riding a lot, finding adventure and exploring new places. On the racing side of things: getting stronger and being a smarter racer.
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