Isabella Brookshire

"Isabella, you've got to be willing to lose to win.” - Lisa Brookshire ( A.k.a. Mom.)

Nickname: Bella

D.O.B: February 10, 2000

Birth city and state: Asheville, North Carolina

Height: 5’5”

Specialty: All-Around

Previous Sports: Volleyball, Soccer, XC

Years Racing: 6

Isabella was born in Asheville, NC on February 10, 2000. Since then, she has remained in Asheville on a small farm with her family along with several horses, dogs, and Highland cattle. It was her father, Alan Brookshire, who introduced cycling to her. She began on a mountain bike, and rode mostly recreationally until she was about eight years old. From there, she began getting more into other aspects of cycling such as BMX, track, and road. Nowadays, Isabella has focused more in on road and track, and has started to move into cyclocross as well. She has moved away from her family farm to live at a boarding school located in her own hometown, named The Asheville School. You can find her either on campus pursuing her education, or on the bike around Asheville chasing her goals in cycling.

2015

• 2nd Historic Roswell Criterium: USA CRITS Speed Week Stop 2
•    2nd Winston-Salem Classic Criterium, 3/4 Women
• 3rd USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals, Women 15-16, Criterium
• 2nd USA Cycling Professional Crit & TTT Nationals, Women 3/4 Non-Championship

2014

• 1st Tour of the Battenkill Junior Women
• 1st Georgia Gran Prix 3/4 Women
• 2nd Historic Roswell Criterium 3/4 Women
• 2nd Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight Criterium 3/4 Women
• 1st Dilworth Criterium Category 4 Women
• 2nd USA Cycling Junior Road Nationals, Criterium, 13-14

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?

I have had many inspirations that helped shape me into the person I am today. The most inspiring would have to be my two brothers and my Dad, who race along with me. They all have helped pushed me toward my goals in the past, and I know that they’ll continue to in the future.

Favorite meal when training?

Greek Vanilla Yogurt with Granola and fruit, or Kale Salad with home cooked Steak

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Traveling all over the world, meeting amazing people, and pushing yourself to new limits every day.

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

My biggest accomplishments have been at the Amateur Road Nationals. I’ve succeeded in continually reaching the podium and top three steps, but haven’t yet achieved the gold. I look forward to becoming stronger through my training and the opportunities that Twenty16 will be able to provide me.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

I’ve been blessed enough to travel and race in many different areas of the country, all beautiful and unique in their own way. If I was to pick a favorite, I would choose Lake Tahoe, CA where this past year’s National Championship was held. The scenery was stunning, and took my breath away nearly every day.

Favorite cross training or off season activity?

Cross-country running!

Best tip for a new bike racer?

No matter what, don’t give up. Whether it’s in training or racing, know that you can do it if you really strive to. Once you’ve reached that point, just keep going and getting stronger. You’ll grow in cycling like you grow in life if you give your all, every time.

What are one or two things that you do daily that are the key to your success?

On days that I’m overwhelmed with stress—whether it be a research paper, straining relationships, or simply just exhaustion—it helps me to think of my loved ones who are putting in so much for me to have the opportunities that I have. To remind myself that I have people supporting and believing in me, it makes a world of difference on a dreary day when I feel doubts.

If you weren’t bike racing what would you be?

Honestly, I have no idea. I feel as if cycling has helped shape me into the person I am today, and it’s hard to imagine myself without it. If I had to guess, I would probably be doing some other sport!

What is something that nobody would know about you?

I can’t eat pizza without ranch, I have a fear of clowns, and I have really good Spotify playlists. (in my opinion  )

TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015. http://teamtwenty16.com/education.htm.Why is continued education important?

Cycling is an amazing and beautiful sport. I have been able to push myself on the bike both physically and mentally like I could do nowhere else, and in my opinion, I feel that by that process you find bits and pieces of who you are as a person. Though, there is so much more out there in the world as well. What some people tend to forget is that Education is just as amazing and beautiful as the sport of cycling is. Not only can you push yourself and your brain to understand harder and harder material, but you also have the ability to learn so much about this world—what it used to be, what it is now, what it could be in the future. Education is something that can open our minds to something that moves us. It is because of this that education should be important, even to aspiring athletes.

What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you?

I think that what Ridebiker Alliance is doing is really awesome. My first team was a local junior development team based out of the city I lived in, and I can vividly remember the encouragement I received from my friends and administrators of the team, as well as the excitement to race my best not only for myself, but for my teammates as well. If it wasn’t for that local team, I don’t know if I’d be here where I am today. I think it’s really cool to see the mission of Ridebiker Alliance pointed towards local teams and spreading the love of cycling.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. Hang out with friends
2. Cook
3. Visit family
4. Go to the West End Bakery, they have really good coffee.
5. Visit my dog, Max (:

Top 10 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:

1. Just about anything and everything.