Larissa Connors

“I just like to smile! Smiling’s is my favorite.” - Buddy the Elf

Nickname: Larzy

D.O.B.: January 22, 1986

Birth city and state: Santa Rosa, CA

Current City: Silverado, CA

Height: 5’5’’

Specialty: Climbing

Previous sports: XC and Marathon Running, XC Mountain Biking

Years racing: 3 years collegiate road/3 years XC mountain bike

Colleges attended: UC Davis

Degree: BA in Mathematics/Teaching Credential

Larissa is excited to be returning to road racing after spending the past 3 years racing cross country mountain bikes on the Marin Factory team and then Ridebiker Alliance teams. This year Larissa will be doubling up and racing both Mountain and road. Before beginning her professional career, Larissa was a member of the 2010 Collegiate National TTT Championship team as well as 5th in the road race. After graduating with a degree in mathematics and a single subject teaching credential Larissa moved to southern California to teach high school, and accidently became a mountain biker. Along with teaching full time Larissa trained her way to a US Cup podium, 4th place at USAC Cross Country Nationals and multiple other pro mountain bike podiums/wins.

Until this past Spring Larissa has always held a full time teaching position, as well as coaching/ advising the school’s High School Mountain bike team. This fall Larissa has spent a good deal of time substitute teaching, coaching women’s mountain bike clinics, and renovating a cabin in a Southern California canyon with Felt engineer husband Brendan.

Career Highlights

  • US Cup Bonelli Park 2105 4th place
  • Firecracker 50 1st place
  • USAC National XC Championships 4th place
  • 2015 US Pro XCT Series 5th overall
  • Boulevard Road Race 1st place

2015

  • Kenda Cup Vail Lake 1st
  • Harding Time Trial 1st
  • San Bruno Hill Climb 1st
  • US Cup Bonelli Park #1 4th place
  • USAC XC National Championships 4th
  • Iron Biker Brazil Stage race 3rd overall

2014

  • Boulevard Road race 3rd
  • Kenda Cup West Series Winner
  • US Pro XCT Series 7th
  • US CUP Overall 10th

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

One of my first real dates with my (now) husband was UC Davis cycling team training camp in Bodega Bay, CA. I was surprised with my ability to keep up with the faster women on the team, and also fell in love with both the freedom/ suffering the road bike offered as well as the boy who took me out to such a beautiful place. Collegiate road racing was the perfect introduction to racing bikes because the team aspect of scoring points made all team members valuable and because the WCCC has a super strong women’s contingent. All those strong collegiate women inspired me to train and race!

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

Molly Van Houweling/Beth Newell and Phil Mooney. Molly and Beth are both super strong women who race in NorCal and hold full time jobs. When I feel overwhelmed and tired I am inspired by their hard work and I strive to have their level of dedication. Phil is the most positive, happy, encouraging guy I know, and he inspires me to uplift others the same way he always makes me feel like a rock star.

Favorite meal when training?

In Mammoth for XC nats I was introduced to these rice bowls with kale, beets, shredded carrots, tahini and runny fried eggs. I’ve been making them at home with all kinds of veggies and eggs from my chickens.

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Every time someone says I inspired them to race, or any time someone emails me to ask for advice. I LOVE the idea of inspiring others and to be able to share what I’ve learned. I want other cyclists to experience the exhilaration I feel when training and racing!

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Persevering through and podiuming at Iron Biker Brazil was a pretty huge accomplishment. I arrived in Brazil the morning of the first stage, and the airline lost my bike so I rode a borrowed hardtail with a broken fork, and shoes that were three sizes too big with different pedals than I am used to. I got attacked by an angry swarm of wasps halfway through the second stage and had 2 flats on day 3. I think this is my most notable accomplishment because I wanted to quit so many times throughout the three days, but I feel like I dealt with each setback as well as I possibly could, and managed to finish the weekend smiling/on the podium.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

Mount Sainte Anne, Near Quebec Canada. The XCO course there is the scariest track I’ve ever ridden, and there were lines I was too afraid to hit pre-riding that I rode for the first time during the race. I love that feeling you get after cleaning a gnarly, steep, slippery, rocky line and then immediately wanting to do it again!

Favorite cross training or off season activity?

I love gardening, but only really get to do it in the fall/winter when there is no bike race traveling. It works out pretty well living in SoCal though because all the fall veggies do so well with our sunny winters which means I frequently get to harvest dinner from my front yard!

Best tip for a new bike racer?

Make sure you are always having fun! It’s easy to get too caught up in expectations and pressure, but you’ll perform better if you’re smiling and a little relaxed.

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

I think having a pretty clean diet (eating lots of plants and eggs!) as well as smiling as much as possible are the keys to my bike racing success!

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

I LOVE teaching high school math, so I would be teaching full time again. Tricking kids into enjoying Algebra is my jam.

What is something that nobody would know about you?

I was born with my twin in my neck (like a lump) and had to have it removed when I was 3. It’s kinda gross but like to think I ate my twin.

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?

Although it can feel like riding bikes is all that matters, it’s so valuable to be well balanced. It’s not easy to make a living off cycling and once you retire, or if a serious crash takes you out of racing, having a solid education can be the key to another career.

What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you?

My personal perspective is that Ridebiker Alliance (and ShoAir Intl) is responsible for the amazing cross country mountain biking scene in the US. Through supporting pro racers to putting up significant prize money to attract super strong competition, to helping new clubs and teams just starting out Ridebiker has been doing awesome work to give everyone the opportunity to race bikes and grow the talent in the US. Now supporting both team Twenty 16, as well as 16 pro mountain bikers they are bringing people together to make sure the US becomes a dominate force in the global cycling scene.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

  1. Garden
  2. Stand Up Paddle
  3. Hike
  4. Drink Coffee
  5. Read

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

  1. Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen
  2. Let It Roll – Flo Rida
  3. BulletProof – La Roux
  4. I Want to Ride My Bicycle - Queen
  5. Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
  6. Da Funk – Daft Punk
  7. Lights – Ellie Goulding
  8. Anything Tecno
  9. Wake Me Up – Avicii
  10. Jukebox hero – Foreigner

Sho-Air SRAM Felt Bicycles ZIPP Quarq JL Velo