What makes bike racing a unique and transformative experience for individuals and communities?
Bike racing is Joan Hanscom’s life; from racing for fun, to professionally organizing races, to running an entire bike racing organization, Joan has done it all. She talks about all things bike racing; from how she got started, to organizing, to the challenges facing women in the sport. Joan discusses her work at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, and the importance of outreach and the larger picture. She shares her insights on passion, training, podcasting, and what a career in the sport means to her.
As a person who’s had a career in bike racing since 2002, I was well versed in knowing what the velodrome was, and it was sort of an honor to be tasked with this role. If there’s one thing that I want the velodrome to be is, it’s fun, because that matters. But I also want it to be a place where little kids Pee Wee Pedalers, Squirts and Weebles Wobbles, all the way up to master’s racers, and everybody in between, elite or not, can come and have fun. To me, it’s a place where we can cultivate this lifelong enjoyment of the bike.
~ Joan Hanscom (20:53)
Joan Hanscom is a cyclist, podcast host, and the Executive Director at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Her love of the sport helped her build a unique career in race promotion and production, working with organizations such as the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, Cyclocross World Championships, and USA Cycling. Currently, Joan is the Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling center in Trexlertown, Pa, and hosts the Talk of the T-Town podcast.
It’s the process. It’s the process, no matter what your pursuit is. If you are pursuing excellence in the ballet, it is repetition. It is absolutely repetition. The process of the ballet is every day, there’s a bar, there’s plies, there’s grand plies. There’s jete. It’s a repetition and it’s a process of perfection. Maybe ballet is skewed a little bit more towards perfection than other sports, but it is definitely a repetition and a process and a refinement that you do daily.
~ Joan Hanscom (42:50)
This conversation centers on the multifaceted world of cycling, highlighting its unique sensory and communal experiences. A core theme is the immersive nature of bike racing, from the visceral sounds and sights at the velodrome to the inclusive, community-focused atmosphere it fosters. Joan reflects on her lifelong passion for cycling, tracing it back to her childhood and describing how the sport bridges personal enjoyment and professional achievement. She shares her experiences in organizing races, engaging the local cycling community, and her work at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, aiming to create an inclusive space for all cyclists, from children to elite athletes.
Another key discussion point is the systemic challenges in the sport, especially regarding women’s participation. Joan outlines how structural gaps, like fewer racing categories and opportunities for women, make progression difficult. She emphasizes the need for investment in underserved groups, stressing that fostering diversity and inclusion can strengthen the sport and grow its community. Alongside these insights, Joan connects cycling to broader values of process, repetition, and community building, drawing parallels to other disciplines like ballet and movement practices.
Takeaways
Creating inclusive cycling spaces — Efforts to address systemic challenges in women’s cycling highlight the importance of structured opportunities and community support.
The magic of the velodrome — The velodrome offers an unmatched sensory experience, combining sound, motion, and closeness to the action.
Community and connection — Cycling builds bridges across diverse groups, creating bonds between families, athletes, and local communities.
Repetition and mastery — The parallels between cycling, ballet, and other disciplines emphasize the value of process and refinement.
Economic potential of cycling — Integrating cycling with local tourism and community planning can make it an economic driver for regions like the Lehigh Valley.
Outreach challenges — Expanding cycling’s reach requires engaging new audiences and addressing modern distractions and competition.
Resources
Valley Preferred Cycling Center — The premier venue for track cycling in Trexlertown, PA, hosting programs for all ages and skill levels.
Podcast: Talk of T-Town
Discover Lehigh Valley — A regional tourism organization collaborating with cycling events to promote local attractions.
Rodale Institute — A partner organization focused on sustainable farming and preserving the scenic roads used by cyclists.
TrainingPeaks — A platform for planning and tracking structured training programs, mentioned for its role in athletic preparation.
Artemis Racing group; unique and thorough onboarding process, really made it accessible
Cycling museum in Belgium: Tour of Flanders Museum
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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