Janelle Cole

“What happens to a dream deferred?”-Langston Hughes

D.O.B.: 10/19/96

Birth city and state: Grand Rapids, MI

Current City: Rockford, MI

Height: 5’2”

Specialty: Riding really hard

Previous sports: Inline Speed Skating

Years racing: 4

Colleges attended: Brevard College

Degree: Working toward an Elementary Education degree (Sophomore)

Janelle is fairly new to the scene of professional bike racing. In 2015, she raced her inaugural season with the Fearless Femmes. During her junior career she earned four National titles and eight total National medals. She is currently pursuing an elementary teaching degree at Brevard College and hopes to one day open her own school. Janelle competes on the Brevard cycling team and is the current Collegiate Criterium National Champion.

Janelle believes the answers to everything are found while working through the details. The foundation of her current experience in racing was obtained through inline speed skating where she competed both nationally and internationally. When she isn’t training or studying, she enjoys reading the same books over and over again as well as working in her vegetable garden or on a nearby organic farm. She is also a big fan of eating, swing dancing, rustic camping, small and large game hunting, salmon and steelhead fishing and target shooting.

Career Highlights

  • 5 National Titles
  • 9 total National medals
  • Competing in the 2014 Junior Road World Championships
  • 2014 Michigan State Time Trial Champion
  • 2013 Inline World Championships- successful domestique for a USA Bronze Medal finish in the 20k Points/Elimination road race and a Silver Medal finish in the 10k Elimination road race

2015

  • Tour of America’s Dairylands, 1st overall Category 2 rider
  • Tour of America’s Dairylands 2nd place overall Team
  • Wilmington Grand Prix 2nd overall Team
  • Collegiate Criterium National Champion
  • Collegiate Conference Champion

2014

  • 17th place Road Race in the Junior World Championships
  • 13th place Time Trial in the Junior World Championships
  • Road National Champion Junior 17-18
  • Criterium National Champion Junior 17-18
  • Time Trial 2nd place Junior 17-18

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

While I loved inline speed skating, I realized that it had no future as a career or as an Olympic sport. With cycling, I saw a chance to pursue the Olympic dream that I’ve held since the age of three. The opportunity to cycle while continuing my education was an influencing factor as well.

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?

I have been fortunate to have many positive, influential figures in my life. Recently, I have come to greatly respect and admire one of my teammates (both in college and on TWENTY16), Allison Arensman. Her dedication to excellence in character, academics and cycling is truly inspirational.

Favorite meal when training?

Anything with sweet potatoes! My current go-to is baked sweet potato slices topped with lots of spinach, black beans and salsa.

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Being around people who are just as intense and dedicated as you are to the sport you love.

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Competing in the 2014 Junior Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain. It was such an incredible learning experience

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

Philadelphia, PA for the 2015 Philadelphia World Cup. The competition was top notch, and the energy level of the racers and the spectators was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The racecourse itself was amazing as well.

Favorite cross training or off-season activity?

When I’m not racing, I can likely be found outside, usually in the woods hunting, fishing, hiking--you name it, I love it!

Best tip for a new bike racer?

Race as much as you can. There’s no better training both for fitness and race tactics and instincts.

What are one of two things that you do daily that are the key to your success?

Talking to my family back in Michigan. They keep me grounded and remind me of who I am and what I stand for when the stress of school, training and life in general become overwhelming.

If you weren’t bike racing what would you be?

Inline speed skating. High-level training and racing are an irreplaceable part of my identity.

What is something that nobody would know about you?

When I have a “blank stare” in our conversation, I’m probably mentally running through every possible scenario and making plans to best respond to it. This is just as likely to include wildernesses survival situations as my response to your next question.

TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015. https://teamtwenty16.com/education.htm  Why is continued education important?

Continued education is vital in today’s society. We have to compete with hundreds of applicants for job opportunities, and a resume without continued education vs one with is just not going to receive the same level of attention. Personally, I have found a liberal arts education to be vital in developing me as a well-rounded and informed individual. Our world needs such people to direct us toward bright future.

What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you?

It’s an incredible way to build cycling with a universal approach. It unites all cyclists without shifting focus away from the sport as a whole as sometimes happens when organizations specialize in building specific aspects of the sport, such as female/male or junior/pro- Ridebiker Alliance is all encompassing!

Favorite things to do off the bike:

  1. Camping (and any outdoor activity)
  2. Reading
  3. Spend time with friends and family
  4. Research random topics and learn as much as possible about current events
  5. Eat and make food

Top 10 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:

  1. Demons
  2. ANY music by Eminem
  3. We are the Champions
  4. Bangarang
  5. Go Your Own Way
  6. Reincarnate
  7. Shut Up and Dance
  8. We’re Not Gonna Take It
  9. Locked Out of Heaven
  10. Compass

Sho-Air SRAM Felt Bicycles ZIPP Quarq JL Velo