Margot Clyne

“The mountains are calling and I must go and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly.” - John Muir

Nickname: Margoat

D.O.B.: February 27^th, 1995

Birth city and state: Boulder, CO

Current City: Boulder, CO

Height: 5’8”

Specialty: Climbing / All-rounder

Previous sports: Cross-country running, soccer, basketball and swimming

Years racing: 4

Colleges attended: Univ. of British Columbia (undergrad) / Univ. of Colorado Boulder (grad school)

Degree: B.Sc. Mathematics with Minor in Atmospheric Science (2013-17) / Atmospheric Science PhD student (2017- )

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/margotclyne

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/margot.clyne

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/MargotClyne

Highly involved in the collegiate cycling scene, Margot raced in the Northwest Collegiate Cycling Conference, where she managed and led the University of British Columbia’s cycling team. She graduated from UBC Vancouver in May 2017 with a B.Sc. in Math and a minor in Atmospheric Sciences. In addition to collegiate cycling, Margot developed via the Colorado based club team Groove Subaru and the Amy D Foundation.

Margot is now a 2nd year PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, and she continues to race in collegiate as well as for Team Twenty20. She is working to improve how the impacts of volcanic eruptions are simulated by climate earth system models, and is one of the top young scientists in her field internationally. In addition to cycling, her dream is to contribute results to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as a career research scientist.

Career Highlights:

2018 USA Collegiate National Champion – Road, ITT, Omnium
2017 USA National Champion – Hill Climb
Colorado Road Champion 2016 and 17
QOM Jersey Cascade Cycling Classic 2017 Stage 3,4

2018

USA Collegiate Road National Championships – 1^st
USA Collegiate ITT National Championships – 1^st
USA Collegiate Omnium National Championships – 1^st
USA Collegiate Crit National Championships – 3^rd
Amgen Tour of California WWT – 26^th

2017

Cascade Cycling Classic Stage 1 – 4^th
Cascade Cycling Classic QOM Points Competition – 2^nd
Cascade Cycling Classic General Classification – 12^th
BC Superweek White Rock RR – 2^nd
USA U23 TT Nationals – 2^nd /16^th overall
USA U23 Road Nationals – 4^th / 29^th overall

2016

Colorado Road Championships – 1^st
Colorado Crit Championships – 2^nd
NWCCC season omnium – 2^nd

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

As kids, our family spent every summer weekend with close friends in Fraser, CO. We would watch the Tour de France in the morning and then go duke it out on mountain bikes. I wanted to beat the boys up every hill.

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

Mia Hamm. She was a pioneer for US women’s soccer, a phenomenal athlete and team player, and is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Her Book “Go for the Goal” is one of the first items to be unpacked back onto my shelf every time I move.

Favorite meal when training?

Burritos

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

It’s a team sport that sort of combines a game of chess, fitness, and a bit of luck. Bike racing is exciting and we get to put everything into doing what we love.

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Riding into the polka dot jersey after a long day in the break and a crash on the third stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

BC Superweek! The crowds are awesome and I used to live in Vancouver for school.

Favorite cross training or off season activity?

Running and mountain biking.

Best tip for a new bike racer?

I do this sport because I love it. Don’t overthink things. Live in the moment and enjoy how free cycling makes you feel.

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

Smile :)

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

Doing research, but without the joy and exercise gained from training and racing. I balance life as a student athlete, and love how both sides complement each other. Personally, choosing one or the other is not a sustainable option.

If you could spend 10 days anywhere, where would it be?

New Zealand

Tell us something about yourself that people may not know

I love to sing! I still sing when I am alone on descents or on techy mountain bike trails to help relax. (If you hear someone belting out “Play That Funky Music” somewhere riding down the mountain, there’s a good chance it’s me).

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. Have interesting conversations

2. Scientific research

3. Impromptu dance parties

4. Read the New York Times

5. Play pick-up games (basketball, kickball, ultimate, sand soccer, etc. Whatever it is, I’m in! Pick me!)

Top 5 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:

1. Ch-Check It Out – Beastie Boys

2. Funk Soul Brother – Fatboy Slim

3. Gøta – The Real Group

4. Rich – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

5. Monster – Kanye West