Motivational Monday, a Monday tradition at Bike Shop Girl, my goal to keep you motivated and to be striving on the bike even during a hard week or long hours at work. Are you a woman that bicycles? Fill out this easy form and be part of our motivational movement!

What’s your name and location?

Jessica Moore, Uh, Nomad USA? (MI via OR via NC, etc)

What type of cycling do you enjoy?

The kind with other people and you have fun. Technically speaking, road & mtn are what I’m familiar with, would love to try cx. Oh, commuting & touring too. (is that everything?)

What is your first cycling memory?

Well, I remember riding bikes with my older sister one summer. We lived on Pleasant St so I’m guessing I was younger than 7 when she challenged me to a race around the block. Wondering if she was on my tail or not I turned around to get a visual—and ended up crashing into a parked car. Next ‘cycling’ memory is from jr. High…

Who inspires you to ride, and better yet WHY?

Mostly, my future self. There are days I don’t want to ride, or eat my spinach, or even do basic maintenance things, but all that does is keep me where I’m at. I desire to continue pursuing my best self, and that means making those small choices to keep in that direction, like riding to the store today. I want to be that girl that races and has a ton of fun, that lady that rides her bike to work even if it’s raining, all the while smiling. I want up be the old lady that arrives at the market with her bike to pick up the week’s groceries. I’m not there yet, but in thinking of that future self, I am motivated to make the small decisions. “Am I gonna ride today? Eh, well, the cool old lady you wanna be would.”

What has been your best moment on the bike so far this year?

I was somewhere in Oregon, bike fully-loaded for a cross country tour (heavy!) and climbing the longest hill I’d yet seen. Earlier that week I’d experienced a huge let down that completely shattered my plans for the next 2.5 months and I was emotionally & physically depleted. And alone. Barely managing to turn the cranks, I kept a steady pace of 5 mph, next to racing RVs and other cars, trying my best to not give up and just cry by the side of the road. But then a song would pop into my head from days spent in youth group, and I’d remember those bike trips, how hard they were at times. But also the source of the best memories of my life. You never really remember the pain, how it felt–just that it was present. So I knew that what I was currently experiencing would dissolve, that if I just kept turning the cranks however slowly, I would eventually reach the summit, and soon enough I’d be coasting down the other side, stronger, and with a smile of satisfaction on my face.

Tell us all about your bikes

My all-purpose, good-for-everything bike is my black beauty, my Surly Cross-Check. A labor of love through many hands and a few states. Then there’s the bike that receives the most beatings: my GT peace 9r (a SS 29er, of course). I’m currently jobless so that helps control the stable from being overpopulated.

Welcome my Surly Long Haul Trucker

When I started this build I originally started it as a short distance commuter. The front end was very upright and not very efficient for the long haul, no pun intended. As my commute and need for a longer, faster, ride I swapped out the front end of the bike for a mountain bike flat bar, Ergon grips and longer stem.

The bike has been changed for a week and I’m really enjoying it.  The first test will be a sub 24 hour overnight this weekend (S24o) when I ride to a nearby park to go camping.

Main details of the build:
Surly Long Haul Trucker
26″ wheel 54cm size
Long pull Shimano brake levers
Flat handlebar (Bontrager Big Sweep)
110mm x 17º stem
3×9 with Paul Thumbies and Shimano Dura Ace Bar End
Crank Brothers 50/50 Pedals
Bontrager Rear Rack
Thomson Seatpost
Bontrager Inform RL Saddle
Stock Surly build other than above