Notable race results
2003 District Master's Olympic Sprint Champion
2003 District Team Pursuit Silver Medal
2002 Elite National Tandem Time Trial Gold Medal
2002 District Team Pursuit Champion 2002 District Individual Pursuit Champion
2001 Elite National Tandem Time Trial Silver Medal2001 District Team Pursuit Champion
2001 District Individual Pursuit Champion
A Category Two rider, Jen Whatley began racing with the LGBRC in 1999 and has competed at the elite level since 2000. Although Jen has achieved notable time trial results, she prefers criteriums for their fast pace, dynamic team tactics, and the mental agility they require.
Jen swam competitively for a few years as a child and in high school, and then gave up competitive sports until she began cycling in ‘98. Jen credits her husband Fred with getting her into bike racing. Also a competitive cyclist, Fred encouraged Jen to take her love of indoor spinning outside to the racecourse. What started out as a way to get in shape for her wedding became a passion as she learned more about race tactics and became a smarter and stronger rider. Fred no longer races, but he continues as Jen’s coach and her “number one fan.”
Jen and Fred live in Alameda, California, Jen’s hometown. She graduated from Alameda High School in 1991 and from UC Irvine in 1995 with a double major in psychology and social behavior. Now a first grade teacher in Pleasanton, Jen says she often draws on her race experience to help her students learn about perseverance, the importance of practice, and the love of sport and good sportsmanship.
Jen also donates her time, teaching skills and cycling experience to help develop up-and-coming women riders. She serves as mentor to Los Gatos’ Category 4 women riders and is an active member of the NCNCA “Winner Within Program,” riding in local Cat 4 races to help novice women gain confidence in the pack and technical race experience.
When not on the bike or in the classroom, Jen enjoys gardening, playing the piano and throwing pottery.
|
