Squamish keeps producing some of the best cyclists in the province, and the town's most recent prodigy has just been recognized as the 2007 Cycling BC Female Mountain Biker of the Year.Miranda Miller, a 17-year-old downhill rider, is a member of Canada's mountain biking team, and has competed on the international stage.
She competed in Scotland during a Worlds event this summer while also earning this year's B.C. Junior Champion title, and winning junior championships at both the Bromont Canada Cup and the Mt. Washington Canada Cup. She was also the first place junior in the standings.B.C. award nominations submitted by the cycling community were judged by professionals from Cycling BC.
"With so many incredible accomplishments made by Cycling BC members in 2007, it was difficult to choose only one nominee for each category out of the many nominations we received," stated Cycling BC in a press release.Miller was presented with her award in Vancouver on Wednesday (Nov. 28).
"I am really pleased," she said. "It has been an exciting year of racing, but I was badly disappointed at my two most important races - when I flatted at the Nationals and broke my collar bone at the Worlds. To be given this kind of recognition is very encouraging. It is so good to know that the hard work and effort riders put in for the whole season is appreciated too and people are looking beyond just whether you podium or not."
And how is the recovery going?
"Really well. I've been going to the gym all along, but being out of the sling and allowed to strengthen my upper body is great. Aleisha Cline has set up an awesome program for the Mad March Racers and I've been following that closely. The best news was being allowed back on my bike - only road riding for now, but that's okay."I hope to get the go-ahead to get back on a cross-country bike and to head to the velodrome in a few weeks. Meanwhile, I'm supplementing with basketball and some swimming. My surgeon is strict, but that's because she knows about athletes."
Miller is focusing on her academic courses at the moment and is working with the teachers and counsellors at Howe Sound Secondary to co-ordinate her riding schedule and course selection for 2008.
"The Worlds are really early next year and so it was a bit of a panic when we saw the date was the same as my English exam. I badly want to get back on the national team and have another chance at the Worlds' podium, but that means I have a heavy racing schedule that starts early."
Several Squamish riders have eyes on the east to try their hand at the Canada Cup/Nationals' courses at Mont Tremblant, Bromont and Mt. Ste. Anne. Both downhill and cross-country riders are checking flight costs as Quebec hosts three Canada Cups and the Nationals, while, at this point, only one Canada Cup will be held in the west.
Several young riders from Squamish have places on both Team Squamish and the provincial team and Miller believes this will prove a valuable support. "Richard Wooles [head provincial coach and high performance director] is working really hard on a fundraising campaign to help support the provincial team generally, but specifically to help riders compete at these races. It gets pretty costly. That, plus the support I get from Team Squamish will make a big difference to me."
To help, contact Richard Wooles at [email protected].
