Life Outside Spring 2018 - 11

NAME: Lauren Cantwell
SPORT/ACTIVITY: Mountain biking/cyclocross
AGE: 31
JOB/EMPLOYER: Emergency Medicine Resident at

Carilion Clinic
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/HIGHLIGHTS:

*2018: Monster Cross Women's Pro/Elite Winner; Gravelocity, only person to finish 94-mile route in 15-degree
temperature

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF CHENG

* 2017: Shenandoah 100 2nd place Women's Open; GO
Cross 6th place Cat 1/2/3, 2017 Hilly Billy Roubaix 4th
place

(Yes, she runs too!)
"Biking is such a great way to explore the
outdoors whether it's mountain biking or
road/gravel," Cantwell says. "The Roanoke
area is simply amazing for both. Our extensive
single track is technical and fun and the
country roads and Blue Ridge Parkway afford
endless beautiful views. Riding not only allows
me to push myself physically and improve
my mental wellness but I get to enjoy even
more beautiful places."
So what does an elite cyclist have in her
garage?
Plenty of bikes!
Williams owns seven, including a road bike,
a few mountain bikes and a couple of bikes
for cyclocross. Plus, her husband has eight
more bikes that fill their garage.
Cantwell has six wheels, including the
same mountain bike as Williams.
"I am also pretty in love with the Trek
Top Fuel I got this winter," she says. "I put a
dropper post on it and that's been pretty dang
fun! Really excited to race on it this season!"
A love for mountain biking isn't the only
thing Williams and Cantwell have in common.
They compete in some of the same events,
ride together locally and work side-by-side
in emergency medicine at Carilion Clinic.
Although their work schedules might seem
hectic to some, they provide opportunities for
Williams and Cantwell to get outside. Both
log 150-plus miles per week on the varying
terrain across the Roanoke region, which is a
perfect training ground for a variety of races.
"You can pick your poison here," Cantwell
says. "There's downhill, uphill, back country.
I love just being outside and seeing the
beautiful places where you can push yourself
and feel that adrenaline rush."
"I like riding everywhere around Roanoke,"
says Williams, who moved to the area last
year. "I ride a lot at Mill Mountain and Carvins
(Cove) because I can bike to both places from
my house. I like riding on the Blue Ridge
Parkway. I like riding more back country trails
and gravel roads at Day Creek and Arcadia."
Both cyclists are ready for the upcoming
seasons with bucket lists that include
mountain bike events (summer season) as
well as cyclocross in the fall and winter.
Make sure to give them a wave as they
pass you on the trail.
-CARRIE COUSINS

SPLISH
SPLASH
Lauren Cantwell
gets off to a
strong start in
the 2018 season
with a win at
Monster Cross
and Gravelocity
finish.

LifeOutsideMag.com // Spring 2018

http://www.LifeOutsideMag.com

Life Outside Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Spring 2018