Spectrum: A few days ago, we let brand ambassador Liv, Leonie Narr, have her say in our new series of articles. Now in the second part, Rebekka Schuldes takes the floor. She is more at home on the road and on the triathlon bike, but now she no longer scorns a fun trail on the MTB.
"My name is Rebekka Schuldes and I come from Hesse, a little north of Frankfurt am Main to be more precise. My path to cycling came about through the triathlon league. They needed new girls there and I was a good swimmer. Then it was said “Anyone can ride a bike and you can learn to walk!” – but after the first real test ride, it dawned on me and I knew that this was exactly my thing.
In the beginning, of course, I was mainly on asphalt, RTFs, short distances or Olympic distances. Since I've been on the road for Liv, I've also really liked MTB and cyclocross as an in-between is also great. Until recently, I actually preferred to be out and about in my home country, sometimes also in the Odenwald - but since I was able to get a taste of road cycling on Mallorca for the first time last year, I can't stop raving about it. It's just gorgeous there. Overall, I'm not that demanding on my routes. Others always groan when it just goes flat and straight for forever ... I have no problem with that at all, on the contrary!
When I'm out and about on the Renner, I also like to have my peace and quiet and hit the asphalt as a lone wolf. In the group, I like to chat a lot with my fellow passengers. Sometimes too much likely... but if the cut is high enough, it will take care of itself! When I'm out on my MTB, it's mostly with the guys from the bike shop. They simply know the area better here and know where to have the most fun.
I'm also quite ambitious when it comes to my sport and cycling. I always want to get better. My problem: Between my job as a teacher and a swimming coach, there is hardly any room for a really serious training plan. I'm just the type of person who can't train without having the necessary fun. In the meantime I have started with the training plan from cock training but found a way to structure my training - despite the extremely limited time. Speaking of training: I love my Garmin! All the performance data awakens the mathematician in me... which angle in my arms is the most aerodynamic?
Sometimes I also feel like doing other sports, then I go climbing or bouldering or even sit in a canoe. Nevertheless: For 2018 I have decided to do a middle distance, and I will also be starting at the Aquabike World Championships.
I've made so many valuable friends through cycling. It doesn't matter whether it's the people in the bike shop or Liv's girls. By the way, I came across Liv through an article in a triathlon magazine. I thought the whole thing was so cool that I immediately reported it via Facebook. Since July 2016, as a brand ambassador, I've been doing road trips, strength training for women and also workshops for the girls out there. The response is incredibly positive, many women think the whole idea behind Liv is great and also appreciate it, but without falling into any clichés too much... even though I personally have a soft spot for pink unicorns 😉
Above all, it is important that the bikes are specially tailored to our anatomical needs. I can still remember my aha moment when I first sat down on my envie... just amazing! I now ride a 2016 Envie Advanced Pro, an Intrigue 2, a 2018 Brava SLR and a brand new Avow Advanced Pro. So I'm well equipped! To the many women and girls out there who may still be afraid of cycling … just get in the saddle and start riding!”
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