velocowgirl
Coverstory002
Article text reads: Inspired by her older brother, Patrick, she took up BMX much to his dismay. In typical sibling fashion he insisted she not ride, that she wouldn't stick with it, and she certainly wouldn't be any good. As she enters into her fifth season ranked No. 2 in the state for her division she's made it quite clear big brother was wrong.
Gabriella has a list of wrecks a mile long that includes ribs cracked by another rider's handlebars and tire marks across her left arm. After all that she still grins from ear to ear and provides a succinct one-word answer when you ask her why she races, “Adrenaline!”
Like most extreme sports there are very few women competing in BMX. While she would like to see more women in the sport, she says it's a lot more competitive for her being the only girl.
“Guys are more fun to race with. When you beat them then their friends make fun of them for losing to a girl.”
Racing isn't all fun and games, by far. With her parents divorced she divides her time between Arvada and Berthoud. By the time she arrives at her mother's Arvada home Saturday night she's long overdue for some rest, and for good reason. Her summer schedule includes four or more races a week and sessions with her personal trainer. Factor in travel to 10-13 nationals a year and winter indoor races and it becomes clear she is deeply committed to her sport.
Her dedication and commitment shine through when she speaks of racing.
“Racing isn't a team sport,” she said. “When you're on the track it's 100 percent you. It's all heart, and all smarts.”
Her father, PJ, smiles when she says this. And he should, he's her coach. At an age when most kids would rather not be seen with their parents, Gabriella doesn't seem to mind.
“Dad is pretty crazy,” she said, “He won't let me coast.”
Her tone became more sincere as she described a time her father was away for two months.
“I didn't know what to do without him. I'd go to races and I couldn't ride right. I missed him. He's really important in my racing, and my life”
Any boys with wild ideas about taking up BMX to land a date with this teen might as well give up. While she has dated one or two racers she made it sparklingly clear that, “BMX boys are like my brothers. I couldn't see dating them.”
Coverstory002
Article text reads: Inspired by her older brother, Patrick, she took up BMX much to his dismay. In typical sibling fashion he insisted she not ride, that she wouldn't stick with it, and she certainly wouldn't be any good. As she enters into her fifth season ranked No. 2 in the state for her division she's made it quite clear big brother was wrong.
Gabriella has a list of wrecks a mile long that includes ribs cracked by another rider's handlebars and tire marks across her left arm. After all that she still grins from ear to ear and provides a succinct one-word answer when you ask her why she races, “Adrenaline!”
Like most extreme sports there are very few women competing in BMX. While she would like to see more women in the sport, she says it's a lot more competitive for her being the only girl.
“Guys are more fun to race with. When you beat them then their friends make fun of them for losing to a girl.”
Racing isn't all fun and games, by far. With her parents divorced she divides her time between Arvada and Berthoud. By the time she arrives at her mother's Arvada home Saturday night she's long overdue for some rest, and for good reason. Her summer schedule includes four or more races a week and sessions with her personal trainer. Factor in travel to 10-13 nationals a year and winter indoor races and it becomes clear she is deeply committed to her sport.
Her dedication and commitment shine through when she speaks of racing.
“Racing isn't a team sport,” she said. “When you're on the track it's 100 percent you. It's all heart, and all smarts.”
Her father, PJ, smiles when she says this. And he should, he's her coach. At an age when most kids would rather not be seen with their parents, Gabriella doesn't seem to mind.
“Dad is pretty crazy,” she said, “He won't let me coast.”
Her tone became more sincere as she described a time her father was away for two months.
“I didn't know what to do without him. I'd go to races and I couldn't ride right. I missed him. He's really important in my racing, and my life”
Any boys with wild ideas about taking up BMX to land a date with this teen might as well give up. While she has dated one or two racers she made it sparklingly clear that, “BMX boys are like my brothers. I couldn't see dating them.”