Meet the #ItCouldBeMe Local Leaders

As a Sport Dietitian and Coach, I refer to myself as an “Adult Onset Athlete!” My older brother was a marathoner in the days before it was the running boom and he wanted me to run a marathon with him and I told him he was nuts. He wound up dying in a race which prompted me to promise I’d run ONE marathon to honor his passion and memory. Fast forward to me looking at age 45 propelled me to train and race the Marine Corps Marathon. I crossed the finish line and “got it!” Within a month I was signed up for my second marathon and I’ve completed 18 stand-alone marathons including joining the 7Continent’s Club (completing a marathon on all 7 continents). I completed my first triathlon on Easter Island which I found when I travelled to compete in my S. American marathon. I didn’t know then but I’d be hooked!!! Due to a running injury in 2006 I could only swim so…slippery slope and an encouraging friend had me train for a sprint triathlon and the rest is history. I’m a 6X IM Finisher; 31X 70.3 Finisher and multiple other distance triathlons. I’ve friends that have been hit while training but July 2019 it all changed when my Sister Sandra was hit and killed while riding her bike. My goal is to channel my grief and anger into positive changes and safety for bikers and runners. #ItCouldBeMe is the perfect vehicle to accomplish those goals! Cheers!

I met Glenn on the run course in Kona 2018, we were alone and he asked me “What is your story? Everyone in Kona has a story..” I went on to tell him and that was the start of our friendship. 

I am such a fan of his and today I am so incredibly honored to say he is one of our ambassadors. Here is a little about him:

Glenn Hartrick, an avid triathlete, was on a routine training ride the morning of June 12th, 2014 when his ride became anything but routine. A cycling crash which resulted in injuries that would change his life forever. 

He was immediately transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he underwent several hours of surgery. While his injuries were extensive, a dream team of physicians worked on him to the best of their abilities. Glenn spent nearly a week in ICU before being transferred to the critical care unit where he realized he would no longer have the ability to control his legs.

After what felt like the longest month of his life, Glenn graduated to Kessler Rehabilitation Center. The world renowned, state of the art facility welcomed Glenn with open arms as they would have to take on many challenges together throughout the next two months. They grew to love this overly motivated athlete who was never willing to give up. Together they overcame many overwhelming challenges and obstacles, achieving physical milestones which would ultimately allow Glenn to break the tape of a finish line once again.

Carolyn Defoore is a three-time Master’s Road National Champion (2017, 2018 and 2019) and a Driveway Series addict. She got her first taste of cycling on the track as a junior rider and started racing again as an adult in 2014 where she quickly worked her way up the ranks to a category 1 cyclist. She currently enjoys racing for the Texas based team, United Cycling. One of her goals as a cyclist is to foster growth in the sport of cycling, especially for women and young people, by promoting safety, confidence, and the joy of competition.

I am a 50 year old cyclist from London and have been riding bikes since I was 7-years old. I’ve never raced bikes because to me cycling is all about fun and my competitive edge is never been geared towards cycling. I ride road bikes and mountain bikes but my favourite type of cycling to watch is BMX cycling. My favourite climb is Cap de Formentor in Mallorca and my favorite sportive is the Dunwich Dynamo. I’m a member of Rapha Cycling Club. My favourite local rides are Richmond Park and Box Hill. I also ride an annual night ride raising money for the Mayhew Animal Home, which is a local animal rescue centre.

“Altho I’ve ridden bikes since I was 7 years old, I didn’t become a safe minded cyclist in 2006. that’s when I witnesses a fatal car/bike accident a long ride. That accident, along with the lack of black and women voices in the local bike community, prompted me to join the local bike action committee. 

In 2014, I worked with a few friends to create the facebook activity group “LFB-Charlotte: Leave Fear Behind”. This group is dedicated to Charlotte female cyclist. It was also created to give Black women a voice in this lifestyle as well. 

In 2018, I became a League Certified Instructor and in 2019, I became a Cycling Savvy Instructor. I most currently rolled off the Charlotte Bicycle Advisory Committee but still work hard to ensure all voices in this city are heard when it comes to safe cycling infrastructure. 

In addition to advocating safe biking for all people.

I am a Rheumatology Physician Assistant from Michigan. I am primarily a runner and a triathlete, but can be encouraged into almost any activity within reason. I have a passion for being active outside with my husband and kids (5 and 7). Most weekends you can find us running, biking, swimming, hiking, kayaking, skiing or traveling.

I’m Gemma, a former mtb racer. Now I’m a mummy who dabbles in a bit of multi sports – mainly triathlon and duathlon. I should have been a GB age-grouper representative for middle distance triathlon in 2020. But COVID-19 happened. I’m hoping I’ll get to parade the kit at least once this year!

I have followed @itcouldbeme for a while – I’m such a huge advocate for promoting the safety of cyclists and runners on the roads shared with drivers. We are all someone’s everything. We all deserve to be kept safe.
I hope I can do what I can to spread the #itcouldbeme philosophy. Because it could be.

Hi! I’m Carly, a 23-year-old cyclist and rate cancer survivor who loves to just get the heck outside (and occasionally ride my road bike where I should probably have a mountain bike).

The outdoors are where I feel safe and can relieve my depression and anxiety. When life throws me a curve ball, I take myself outside. I started riding when I was a little girl and used my bike rides along the Des Plaines River Trail in northern Illinois to fill my time when I felt lonely. In college at CU Boulder, I started riding and racing competitively. This change of pace motivated me to go out and party less, in turn riding my bike a lot more.

Today, I live and work in Sonoma County, CA! Sometimes this love for being outside puts me on the shoulder or even in the full lane of a back road, though. Without bike lanes, some of my routes can be dangerous. When you pass someone like me, please do it with space and care. I have a family that loves and cares about me, and just went through two abdominal surgeries to get rid of a rare cancer. I don’t need another reason to go to the hospital! I am a friend, a daughter, a co-worker, and most importantly a lover. It could be me! ❤️

Rebecca Dobbins is from central Indiana and is a mother of two, wife, nurse, and avid cyclist. She started her journey into the love of cycling back in 2014 when she found herself wanting to lose weight. She started by running and quickly progressed into triathlon. She is now a 3x IRONMAN and has done several 70.3 distance races as well as an array of smaller and speciality distance races, including Escape from Alcatraz. Rebecca is highly involved in her local cycling community, working with local leaders and advocating for safety. She spent time on the Board of Directors for her local advocacy organization, who worked to successfully push a safe-passing law through legislation in 2019. Rebecca also works closely with her local bike shop, Gray Goat Bicycle Company, whose owner is a strong local partner for advocacy, group rides, and cycling safety events. For 2020, Rebecca plans to coordinate educational events, group rides, and continue her advocacy for cyclist safety through It Could Be Me as a Cross Country Local Leader.

I’m Lois J. Metcalfe and I reside with my husband, Robert, my daughter Sasha and our sweet puppy, Emmy.
I’m fortunate enough to be able to train for running races from 5 k’s to Marathons. A few years ago I started getting more serious about biking which inevitably lead me to enter Duathlons.
My husband and I bike in 2 large charity events, Ride Don’t Hide and Gran Fondo. It was there at one of the events that we almost got hit by a motorist. Frightening!!But my close calls didn’t stop there…I was close to being hit by a van while running in town and another incident where I was biking and a motorist backed out of their driveway and nearly hit me.
I became aware of #itcouldbeme when one of my teammates from Dixie Devil (Triathlon Group) had a dear friend killed in the tragic Las Vegas biking accident.
I’m very excited to share #itcouldbeme to my family, friends and community.

I was born in 1943 and have been riding bicycles since I was 6 years old in Baton Rough LA. One of my worst crashes occurred as I was avoiding being hit by a left turning driver. Concussion, broken ribs, broken shoulder. Since 1996 I have been involved in educating people about safe cycling and have served as education director for my local club (Bike Austin) my state organization (Bike Texas) and the League of American Bicyclists. I still train and certify League Cycling Instructors. My latest endeavor to make the roads safer for cyclists of all forms is a Podcast called “It Depends: Riding Safely” that will hit the internet in March 2020. I have ridden on six continents, raced both road and mountain bikes and done one marathon. I now run a non profit (waaoinc.org) that is providing trike rides for people with disabilities.

I am a 40 year old mom of one teenage daughter and Physical Therapist by day. By night, I am a triathlon coach through IRONMAN, team member of the IRONMAN FOUNDATION for the second year in 2020, part of the Team Infinit Performance for the first year in 2020, and zookeeper to many species of animals. I started in the endurance world in 2012 and haven’t looked back! I love the sport of triathlon. I love the people it has brought into my life. I love how much it has taught me about myself. It is so empowering to be a part of something larger than myself! I also am aware of the barriers to training and safety while doing so. I am committed to being an active local leader with the #ItCouldBeMe2020 group to advocate for the lifestyle we all hope to have for the rest of our long happy lives! 

Katie joined DC Tri Club in late 2011, just as the masters swim program was starting. She became one of the coaches in early 2012, the same year as her first 70.3 in Augusta. Energized from that event, she signed up for Ironman Lake Tahoe in 2013.

She loves anything to do with swim, bike, run, puppies and mountains.

I’m Debbie Wog from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  I’m married to the best race sherpa ever and have two adult children.  I’ve been working in the fitness industry for over 20 years (even though I have a Bachelors degree in Economics).  I’m a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor, Yoga Instructor and Group Fitness teacher.  I fell in love with running and triathlon about 15 years ago.  I’ve completed numerous full and half iron-distance triathlons and over a dozen marathons.  In 2012, I was involved in a near-fatal accident while riding my bicycle – thus sparking my drive to educate and bring awareness to issue of cyclist/runner safety. 

My name is Manuel Eliseu, I am 28 years old, and I live in Lisbon, Portugal.
I am passionate about sports, having started swimming when I was ten years old until I was 17. During that time, I participated in several national championships to achieve some podiums in some of those competitions.
After quitting competitive swimming, I started running to keep myself fit and later enrolled in a triathlon competition by influence from a friend.
Today, I am a 3x Ironman finisher aiming at completing two more as soon as the pandemic allows me to do so.
I want to be an advocate for road safety and driver awareness as I am regularly practicing and riding on roads and as I am, myself, a victim of a car crash. Back in August 2019, while I was practicing, I got hit by a driver. Fortunately, I got no significant injuries, but the fear of being hit again is always present.

Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia!!!!! My name is Stephanie and if you ever find yourself at the Georgia Aquarium, make sure you stop by and say hi! I work with the dolphins! My journey into the triathlon world has definitely been a fun one! A passion to running and weight lifting turned into spontaneously doing a half marathon without really training for it. And what a rush! Finished the race with the thought of, the marathon is next! During my course of now completing 3 marathons, I began noticing people training for Ironmans, all of which were people much older than me (turning the big 25 this year). Which then got me thinking, if all of these people are training and then competing, surely a young person like myself can do one……..I have so far completed an Olympic distance and half Ironman distance, placing 1st in my AG on both accounts and on track to my first Ironman later this year. Lake Placid here I come! The people that I have met along the way and the places I have been able to explore while on the bike has definitely been such an amazing experience! And as I share my Tri journey, I hope that it inspires others to dream big as well!

I’m Wiebke Hannigan, originally from Marion, Massachusetts. Currently reside in Sykesville, Maryland with my teenage 2 daughters, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a horse. First and foremost I am a mom, but I am also a daughter, a half-sister, a significant other, a best friend,  a runner, an Ironman and a cyclist. I spent much of my childhood on 2 wheels, like most kids, as that is how we got from A to B when I was young. I first started cycling seriously about 10 years ago when one of my running buddies suggested I try a sprint triathlon with them. Like many, I fell in love with riding and triathlon. There is no better feeling than the open road with the sun in your face and the wind at your back. I can remember my first 50-miler then my first 100-miler and the feeling of accomplishment behind those rides. Sadly, cycling as well as running have become increasingly dangerous and we now hear more horror stories than victories. As part of the #ITCOULDBEME movement, my hope is to bring increased awareness to everyone – not just cyclists, but motorists alike. There is no reason we can’t respect one another and share the road safely together! 

I found my love for cycling and running nearly 20 years ago when I started training for my first marathon and I’ve never looked back! Now my husband and I spend most of our free time together on our bikes,  riding fur a healthier life.  Unfortunately through the years I have had a few run ins with distracted drivers during my training runs and rides but always have been able to walk away from them unscathed.  Unfortunately I have too many friends and teammates who have not been so lucky. I’m excited to be an ambassador for the It Could Be Me movement because it’s time that we change the narrative around vehicles,  pedestrians,  and cyclists for a safer world for all of us! 

I am a native Texan and multi-generation Austinite who prefers the slower pace of the hill country. I am a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2003, my parent’s favorite daughter and a “bratty” little sister to my brother. Two schnauzers, Jens and Magnus, plus one impossible manx cat named Sinatra call me their fur mom. 

My husband got me interested in cycling while he was on the Texas A&M Cycling team and bought me my first road bike for our first wedding anniversary in 2004. We spent a lot of time doing charity rides and my love for bikes continued to flourish. By 2008 I had started learning to mountain bike with a local group called Ride Like a Girl and in 2011 I became a ride leader. I love mentoring new riders on all aspects of riding. Along the way I started racing mountain bikes and in 2012 accomplished a big goal of winning a State Championship in my age division in the Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association Marathon Series. I have dabbled a little in gravel racing, but I tend to enjoy watching the scenery and riding too slow to truly call it a race so I will likely never podium in one.

On September 7, 2019 it no longer could be me, it was me. I was riding with my husband on our weekly date ride, exploring a new route in Burnet County on a beautiful sunny day. About 35 miles in I was hit from behind by a Ford F150, his speed was estimated at 40-50mph. He did stop and cooperated with authorities, he wasn’t texting but did not see me even though there was nothing to visually impair him on the road. I was launched into the air and flew past my husband before landing in a ditch.  By the time the ambulance got me to the hospital my blood pressure was indicating internal bleeding, I lost an estimated 2-3 liters of blood and had two surgeries to repair a torn mesentery artery. I had an additional surgery on my ulna which snapped in half. My left lung partially collapsed, and I was on a ventilator for six days. The lung continued to have issues and I had to have a chest tube inserted. I had 13 other fractures including two in my pelvis and my T12 vertebrae. I spend 16 days hospitalized, with an additional 10 days in a rehab facility. Due to the T12 fracture I had to wear a TLSO brace for 93 days. Miraculously I had no head trauma and have mostly recovered from all the injuries. I was able to start biking again 98 days after the crash and have been able to continue riding mostly trails while continuing my recovery. 

I was introduced to Triny through Facebook while I was hospitalized through a mutual friend and began telling others about #itcouldbeme. Since the crash I have become passionate about telling my story and educating others on safety both as a cyclist and a motorist. I look forward to serving as an ambassador and continuing to spread the message. 

Ginger Hayes Potts, 41, from Gainesville, GA, is a triathlete from team The Cupcake Cartel. Potts began her competitive swimming career at 5 years old. She discovered triathlon in college while on the JV swim team and cycling team for Auburn University. Recently re-activated in the sport, Potts specializes in short distance triathlon, from super sprint to Olympic. She hopes to qualify for Team USA in 2021 and race at the ITU World Championships. Through participation with It Could Be Me, she will work to bring awareness, safety, and joy to the cycling community.

Potts is also a member of The Collective Beat, Orr Factory Racing Team and Team Infinit.

Alena is a 33 year old triathlete, born and raised in beautiful Oklahoma. She is an active member of TriOKC, the local multi-sport club. She believes in volunteerism. She encourages others to try swimming, running, and cycling and join this wonderful, all inclusive community. Alena has completed over thirty half marathons. She is a Jupiter level member of the Half Fanatics Club. Alena is the mother of four children and works in local government. She serves on the Board of Directors and as the Public Relations Chair for the Oklahoma Association of Public Procurement. 

Growing up a non-athlete, I started running in my early 20s and started cycling by myself to do the MS150 in 2012 because I thought it was a great cause and a good time. I did my first triathlon in 2013 and haven’t stopped since. I am a multiple Ironman finisher, looking to get to Kona. I enjoy the outdoors!! Can’t imagine living without riding my bike or running safely.In 2020 a very close friend got hit by a distracted driver in broad daylight and this made me want to “do more” for road safety.I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, sister and every day we ride outside, I pray that we all come back home in one piece.

Hi, I’m Charles, I am 32 years old and I am originally from France but currently live in Austria. 

I have a three-and-a-half-year-old son. I am a former Motocross racer, a cyclist, and also loved to run so in 2019 I decided to go into triathlon. 

Unfortunately, COVID happened and I couldn’t race in 2020 but I’m confident to start this year with a 70.3 in Europe. 

I want to be able to go cycling and enjoying the beautiful roads with my son safely. 

Hi, my name is Gary Suydam. I’m a husband, father, brother, uncle, and a child. I commuted by bicycle to work every day in Denver (12 months a year for over 5 years). It was one of the best parts of my day. On January 27, 2017 I was riding home from work and had a green light at 26th and Wadsworth when a car turned in front of me. I hit the side of the first car only to be run over by a second car as I was on the ground. As a result of the collision I suffered a broken neck, a spinal cord injury classified as a C4 complete, a broken rib, two strokes, I had my gallbladder removed, and a blood clot (PE) in my lungs . 

I spent 32 days in the ICU & 3 months at Craig rehabilitation Hospital. 

I’m now a quadriplegic. 

This is not meant to be a warning to other bike riders, but rather a reminder for drivers to actively watch for bikes and pedestrians. No one wants to cause someone else’s injury.

Please remember that it could be any of us and it could be me, and in this case it was me.

I’m a former bicycle advocate (2001-2011) & boardmember of BikeDenver, which has since been folded into Bicycle Colorado, which I currently support as a donor and future volunteer (once we can run all the bicycling events again)!Meanwhile, having retired somewhat early, I’m pursuing a career in pastel painting, cooking great meals at home, biking, skiing and travel around our beautiful state of Colorado.Happy to be a part of bicycle advocacy again!

Hi, my name is Tina. I am a dog mom. I am a sister; I am a daughter. I am a friend. I am your supporter of keeping you moving.

My goal in life is to motivate people to stay active and keep moving. It only takes two weeks to get into a routine. Just don’t give up.

I was in a motorcycle accident on Jan. 2011. A driver put on his right turn signal and then decided to pull a U-turn right in front of the motorcycles group. I was the second motorcycle in the group. I fractured my pelvis and was in a wheelchair for two months. After months of physical therapy, I decided to get in shape and start running in 2012. I ran my first half marathon in March of 2014 and was addicted.

I became addicted to staying in shape and got the bug to run a marathon. In March of 2017, I joined Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I lost my mom to the fight against Leukemia in 2004.

In October 2017, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon. I’ve continued to run for those who can’t or wish they could.

I continued my journey to help find a cure for Leukemia and ran the New York City Marathon in 2018. I knew I needed new challenges, and I always admired Triathletes. So in April 2018, I did my first Sprint Triathlon. My goal is one day to do an Ironman 70.3.

My motto is the Challenges of today make you stronger for tomorrow. Never give up or give in. Keep moving because we can. I am grateful for all the support from my better half Mark.

Trisha Niswander is a wife, mom, Human Resource Professional and athlete from Meridian, Mississippi. She enjoys cycling with friends and local groups, and recently competed her first organized ride in Greenwood, MS. She is currently training for a half Ironman in May of 2021. One of her favorite things about cycling is the friends she has made and the experiences she has had through growing in the sport. Raising awareness is also an area she would like to grow in, and she is excited to see that happen through involvement with It Could Be Me!!

I am a husband, father of 4 and grandparent. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada. I have always been active in sports (fastball, hockey), running, biking and swimming certainly wasn’t part of them. My journey started in Sept. 2011 with the words to my sister in law “If you can’t find anyone to do the Spartan race, I will do it with you” Fortunately (Although at the time I figured unfortunately) this changed my life, thanks Vicki!! Gave myself a goal, start training Jan 1st, yes, one of those New Years Eve deadline things. I will say I have never looked back, started with 5K races, now do half marathons and triathlons, sprint, Olympics and 70.3 half Ironman. I have been a huge advocate of equality in triathlon, supporting 5Q (Fifty Women to Kona), Tri-Equal. We are in a wonderful city with many cyclists, routes and lanes!! I look forward in supporting “It Could Be Me” anyway I can. Yes, I am one of those people when I go out riding, I am always concerned with drivers and other cyclists. Education is important.

I’m a 63 y/o Physical Therapist, with many Ironmans under my belt.
I’m married and have 2 daughters, and 2 sons who died together in a car crash in 1999. I’m blessed with 7 grandchildren, the oldest is a junior in college the youngest is 3.
I compete in the Ironman competition for the love of the sport, the fellowship, and to honor my boys.

My name is Erin Fitzgerald and I’m from Doylestown, PA. I’m a wife, stepmom, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. I started seriously cycling (more recreationally than competitively) about 5 years ago. I always found running to be therapeutic and healing and when I started cycling I got those same feelings but now I felt like I could fly. The ability to cross so many miles in one day and see so many beautiful places and connect with so many more people opened a whole world. I found out early on that not everyone understands those sentiments and some don’t even understand that there are humans on these bikes. During my first half century ride, an angry motorist threw a full can of beer out of his window at me. I actually thought it was a firecracker because of the sound of it coming at me and the sun hitting the aluminum. And it burned. Turns out it wasn’t anything quite as horrible (gee thanks, Mr. Pickup Driver). I was bruised pretty badly, but otherwise fine. Thankfully I was a fairly solid rider and I didn’t fall and thankful the beer only hit my arm and thigh. If it had hit my face or there had been other cars on the road at the time or if I had fallen, it would have been a different story. Sadly, I know many who are part of that other story. These other stories sometimes make it difficult to get out there unless I’m on a closed trail and it just shouldn’t be that way. I want to see more of us in the news stories that make us smile, not the ones that make us get lumps in our throats. So I want to help raise awareness and understanding to make our roads safer and friendlier to all of us… and recruit some haters to see the light, save some lives, and maybe even come join the dark side with us (winking). I’m thankful for It Could Be Me and proud to be part of a team working toward change. 

I am an avid cyclist: MTB’er, roadie and gravel worshipper, dreamer, adventurer, wife, mom to 2 awesome kids, lover of all things two-wheeled, and I always greet life with a smile. Never known to stay still for long, there are always lofty goals on my “to-do” list, and more in the waiting once those have been tackled.

In July 2006, just shy of my October wedding, I was struck by an inattentive driver whom didn’t yield to my right of way in an intersection. The head-on collision left my bike in pieces, helmet cracked in two, and my body thrown almost 30’ from the windshield of the oncoming vehicle. Bruised and broken, I spent the next number of months healing and rehabilitating, and almost a year passed before climbing back into the saddle. 

I have participated as a Board Director to advocate for more participation and enhancement of trails for cyclists, was a pro athlete on an all-women’s cycling team that mentored and coached other women into the sport, as well as started a youth cycling group that meets weekly to get more kids on bikes.  I’m as passionate about riding the trails as I am about hammering it out on the roads.  I’m excited to now be part of #itcouldbeme to work toward building better relationships, recognition and respect between cyclists and drivers to ensure everyone makes it home safely. 

36 years old

Epileptic Ultracyclist

Hello, I’ve had a life long love of cycling. (other than a few years, off & on, when I was smoker. 🙁  Nada since 6/24/93!)

It began early in high school when my 17 year older step-brother loaned me his custom (French built late; 50’s early 60’s?) magnesium frame 8 spd touring bike. It was light as a feather and had climbing gears to be believed. (Ron had co-managed a bike shop) In my early 20’s, a girl friend and I did a 1&1/2 month long self sustained tour of the Canadian Maritime Provinces, leaving from Boston, riding up the New England Coast, touring Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and over to Newfoundland. (by chance, we got to meet the 1976 Canadian Olympic Cycling Coach)

Moving to Holland MI in the late 70’s I joined the now defunct “Tulip City Two Wheelers” club. I attended a number of local charity rides. Was a Committee member on the Grand Rapids-Holland “MS-150” bike tour. Moving to the Grand Rapids area I joined the Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club. While holding the Membership chair, I got the Board to approve purchasing a # of sets of “Share the Road” signage that we donated to the cities of; Grand Rapids, Grandville, Wyoming, Kentwood & Rockford. I was a volunteer with the “Grand Rapids Safe Kids Coalition”, helping to put on bike Rodeos and distributing-fitting free kids helmets at other cycling events. I was also a volunteer with the Kent County Sheriff Dept’s. “Trail Patrol Program”, patrolling the local trail system throughout Kent Co. 

In 2005 I found out about the Ride of Silence (RofS). Having been hit a couple of times while riding, (worst injury a separated shoulder that kept me off the bike most of the summer) I organized the first RofS in Grand Rapids that year, and began contacting bike clubs & shops across MI on organizing. MI led the world in # of locations in 2006-2007. After 2007’s Ride, RofS Founder Chris Phelan asked me become the organization’s Vice President on the Board of Directors he was forming. (my initiative of bringing on new locations, not just in MI, but worldwide). Through 2020, MI averaged 27.9 locations annually. It wasn’t until 2016 when CA had 28 locations that any State (or country) reached 27 in a single year! 

Over the years I have held a number of positions with the organization; Mentor, MI Director, later renamed Coordinator, (I was the first, have recruited all Coordinators except one listed on the RofS website) and Sr. Outreach Director  I was Grand Rapids organizer from 2005-13, Co-Org’d in Spring Lake MI in 2014, and Holland’s organizer since 2015. Have also organized a # of special RofS “Tribute Rides”, Rides that do not take place on the 3rd Wed. in May, but sadly around the date when a fellow cyclist has been hit and killed. I currently serve the RofS organization as their unofficial Historian / Statistician. 

I am honored to become an Ambassador for “It Could Be Me”, hopefully to meet other Ambassadors and advance its Mission.  Mark

I’m a wife, mom, dietitian, and love spending time training for triathlon. 

I am a certified triathlon coach, age group triathlete, and mom. Four years ago I discovered triathlons and instantly fell in love. Triathlon gave me a place I could set and achieve MY goals. It is a time where I can push myself and see what I can do when shit gets real. Through triathlon, I found myself again – my voice, drive, and desire to push my limits. All the pieces lost in motherhood came out in the sport.

Over the last four years, I’ve trained and competed in multiple sprint, olympic, 70.3 and full distance triathlons. I made 2018 and 2019 USAT All American, placed in the top 10 age group seven times and qualified for the 2020/2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championships. As much as I love the competitive aspects of endurance sports, it goes beyond that for me. I love pushing my fitness and myself to new levels. The mental challenge is as fulfilling as the physical ones. I love running up and down the Grand Canyon, climbing up mountains on my bike as many times as I can, and swimming across lakes! Triathlon is not just about a race. It is about the journey to build mental fitness, confidence, resilience, patience, and the ability to push myself in all aspects of life.

Nina is a mother of 2, loves music and triathlon. She wants to make Roads safe.

Hi, my name is Christoph, I am 32 years old and I am based in Klagenfurt, Austria.Sport has always been an essential part of my life and originating from track and field I made my way to endurance sports, focussing on swimming, cycling and running.Especially when you are new to cycling, safe roads are a key factor that encourage you to go and ride outside.Let’s take care of each other.Get out and ride.

Love life as a cyclist, writer and crafter! Adore my husband and English Bulldog? Passionate about the movement, It Could Be Me-making cycling safer!

Hi, I am Kelly and have been cycling and doing triathlons for almost 10 years.
I am a proud boy mom to Evan and Conner, wife to Orlando, and dog mom to Chloe, Quinn, Gus, and Abby.
I have been an RN in a Trauma/Surgical ICU for the last 7 years. I am currently finishing up my Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program and looking for a permanent position in the Ohio area closer to my Dad.
I am excited I found this amazing community and I am excited to advocate for fellow cyclists with the ItCouldBeMe group.

Ruth discovered her love for triathlon and cycling as part of her recovery and treatment for an incurable form of leukemia. She regularly trains and races with her husband, brothers and friends at races around the US. She is President of TriOKC, serves as Captain for the Finish Line at Ironman Tulsa and works as an attorney for a credit union. Ruth has also taught cake decorating internationally and can be found rescuing dogs whenever her husband allows!

Triathlete, husband, and dog-dad with a passion for serving others. As a veteran (U.S. Coast Guard) I’ve experienced first hand the saving power of exercise and community. I volunteer or participate in veteran focused events across the southeastern U.S. as often as I can. As an ambassador of #ItCouldBeMe my goal is to help promote respect and understanding between motorists and the cycling community.

I am a 53 year old wife, mom, and friend to many and found myself immersed in the sport of triathlon when my first love from middle school showed back up into my life 6 years ago~he is a 10x Ironman finisher and a triathlon coach for almost 25 years now. I am not competitive, struggled with (still struggling with some) several chronic medical issues for years and was extremely overweight and non-active. Fast forward to the present, feeling better, lighter, and more active, and especially LOVE to ride my bike, even more so with my husband and friends. I should mention that we also own a race production company with 25 events across the state of NY and find myself feeling responsible for the 1000’s of athletes that race with us every year and their safety while out on the courses not only competing but training. In 2019 my husband was hit by a car, right in front of me, while we were riding out in Amish country (not a heavily trafficked road as you can imagine, unless you count horse drawn buggies). Miraculously he was not seriously injured, but I still suffer high anxiety moments from that and love what Triny and the #itcouldbeme movement is doing to protect us while out there doing what we love. Education for motor vehicle drivers and cyclists/runners/walkers is so very important in keeping everyone safe and getting home to their families. Just trying to do my part in my little corner of the world.

I am a Stage 4 Lymphoma survivor, in remission since 7/9/14, and ride daily for charity. I don’t use my name because it’s not about me. It’s about getting folks out, up, and okay. I use ” World’s Okayest Cyclist” because I just wanted to be Okay again after my cancer. I had the dream of getting folks out and about to better their health. My current mission is a 10,783 mile charity ride to raise awareness and funds for cancer. I am riding for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the Great Cycle Challenge (Children’s Cancer Research Fund). The 10,783 miles is roughly a lap around the US and how I came up with that magic number.In the three years that I have been riding I have had two car contact incidents and another that ran me off the road. None stopped. Since I ride alone I now ride with cameras front and back. A 3000 lumen and a 400 lumen front lights setup. In the rear I have 110 and 100 lumen red lights on my seat post, a red light on the back of my helmet, and another on the left side of my bike.  

You have choices in life. You can complain about it, feel sorry about it, or do something about it. I chose the latter. It doesn’t mean that I don’t do a little of the others though. I want to be the change in the world that I want to see. I have been volunteering with our local Bike & Pedestrian Council to help locally with bike safety. We are currently working on a program to teach safety and provide lights in our community

I am a single mother of three, a triathlete and Ironman and lead a consulting group helping corporations mitigate climate change.  

A love of the geography of the West and the grit of taking on endurance sporting challenges led me to trail running and triathlon.  

In riding on the road, despite following all traffic rules and safety precautions; I’ve been consistently yelled at by drivers, targeted, even hit by an Uber while bike commuting to work in the bike lane.  Uber and the driver took no accountability.  It is frightening every time I ride; but I do it because training is my stress relief and a way of life for me.  I am riding safely and following the law.  We should have the freedom to bike, run and pursue our passions without fear.  My three children rely on me and need their mom.

I recently asked an ER doc friend if I was more likely to die from COVID or riding my bike on the roads.  He said “riding your bike on the road”.

I am active duty Navy. Working in Law Enforcement. Love swimming, cycling, and running. Working on becoming a better runner. Excited to be a part of this awesome community.

I have been an athlete my whole life. I started with the typical sports in school, all while riding horses. I earned a D1 scholarship in college on an NCEA equestrian team. In college, I found my love for triathlon. One thing has led to another for me in the sport of triathlon. I have found my love for the 70.3 distance and compete in multiple races a year. I still ride horses, but more for fun now. Recently, I founded Women on Wheels with my friend Jess. We have daily Facebook/IG posts where we have interactive conversations with our members. We have a book club, monthly Zoom talks, social events, and group rides in Connecticut. One of our initiatives is to work on safety in our community. I look forward to continuing to grow our page and advocate for safety in my community, all while educating those around me. 

Cycling has checked many boxes in my life at different times. From transportation when living in the city, my preferred leisure activity and now part of my ambitious athletic pursuits as a triathlete. The purpose, bikes and attire have evolved but the few things that have generally been the same: motorists want me off the road, pedestrians want me off the paths and little support if my bike is vandalized or stolen. 
In November I was hit by a car who then fled the scene. Once recovered from my injuries, I was shocked to discover that no efforts were made to apprehend the suspect, there was no police report – therefore insurance would provide no assistance with the damages to the bike AND I was responsible for all the medical bills. There has to be a better way and it starts with awareness. At the end of the day all want the same thing: safe places to walk, run, ride, drive and to make it back home every time.

I love my husband and our dog. I also love swimming and I really like biking and running, mostly I do these things separately, sometimes I manage to pull it together and do them consecutively, I at least like to tri (see what I did there). I was born and raised south of Detroit where automotive rules and automotives “rule the roads.” SInce taking up road cycling in my pursuit of triathlon I have been advocating for better bicycling infrastructure. It’s tough to find a picture of me where I’m not smiling or look like I am yelling happy, encouraging things. Most Saturdays during the summer you can find me pedaling around metro Detroit living my best life! 
I am looking forward to the return to racing in 2021 and am excited to see all the newbies who took up sport in 2020 out there tri’ing!  

I’m Katrin (31), live in Austria and work as a dietitian. I started cycling 2020 together with my boyfriend and I love it.
Most weekends, you can find us running, biking, swimming, skiing, or hiking, but I also love to chill at the lake or enjoy the silence into the mountains.

Co-Founder NYX Endurance.  I love to ride outside and am saddened by so many accidents.  I am an Ironman athlete who is riding more and more gravel to stay safe.  I want to be a part of the solution. I see the anger in cars, and we need to abate that through education and calm interaction. 

Hi there! I’m Kristine Palkowetz, a 35 year old Floridian (former Washingtonian; go Seahawks!) and I’m passionate about my family, my faith and healthy living. Eating well plays a huge role in my overall health (checkout www.JoyfulGoodness.com if you need any recipes). I absolutely LOVE creating good-for-you desserts and meals for my family, friends and church. And of course, exercise goes hand in hand with diet when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.

With such beautiful weather in Florida my family and I take advantage of it to the fullest! Family walks, bike rides and runs fill our weekends and evenings, and I’m on the roads each morning for my daily exercise. I love my little bubble in the world, filled with family, friends and good food!

My name is Hugh Ferry and I live in Rome, Georgia with my family along with our menagerie of horses, chickens, goats, cats, and dogs.

Back in college, I became interested in triathlon when watching Kona on TV one weekend and saw a girl up front and recognized her from her training around the Auburn campus (which was too cool) – her name is Colleen Cannon. I always thought … one day….

In 2008, many years later – living in Houston – I made friends who were into triathlon and decided I would buy myself my first bike. With a bit of peer pressure – before I knew it – I signed up for IM Coeur d’Alene. It was a wonderful experience – we had over 30 athletes from Houston at IMCDA. I was also fortunate to have met Triny and Nigel as part of the Houston triathlon community.

Since then I’ve completed three IM and ran numerous ultras including the Chattanooga Lookout 50m run. So – triathlon was the catalyst for cycling and I still ride three or so times a week. Rome and all of northern Georgia is an amazing place to ride on and off-road.

Having my cycling foundation formed in the Houston area – I learned quickly to be aware of my surroundings knowing most people in vehicles “don’t see me.” Unfortunately – I have now known four people whose lives were impacted by being the victim of a vehicle/cycling accident. Two lost their lives, one has recovered and still tentative on cycling, and one has recovered and has launched this powerful initiative – to educate, and change behavior, culture, and where necessary legislation #itcouldbeme.

Through ‘It Could Be Me’, I am looking forward to helping change relationships between drivers and cyclists and bring cycling safety, awareness, and appreciation to my local community.

My name is Kassandra Volpentesta. I’m a Registered Nurse in Wisconsin and a Navy Veteran. I’m relatively new to cycling but I have been an avid runner for the last 6 years. I think being apart of #itcouldbeme is important because everyone deserves a safe space to do what they love whether it’s running or biking.

I’m William Brock, a 52 year old triathlete/cyclist from Tye Texas.
I work for the city of Abilene as a water treatment plant operator. 
I am a 7 time Ironman finisher with Texas and Tulsa on the schedule for 2021.
In March we survived a Tornado, ripping off half our roof and destroying the garage,
with the help of a storm shelter. The bikes made it through unharmed. 
I look forward for what this year’s challenges.

Heidi loves nothing more than spending time outdoors in the mountains of Wyoming, where she was born and raised.  She picked up a bicycle in 2012 and never looked back, quickly advancing through the competitive world and growing the bicycle collection to nine.  She is a Hill Climb National Champion (2016), singlespeed cyclocross nut, category 1 mountain biker, and avid gravel road explorer.  She currently races for Square1 Cycling in Colorado, and dabbles in all disciplines because why choose just one?!  

Everytime Heidi swings a leg over one of her bicycles she knows #itcouldbeme, and advocates for safety and awareness of cyclists.

Founder of Fund Her Tri Nonprofit Org, wife, mom of 2, USAF Veteran & triathlete. 

I’m Jason, an IT professional and avid runner from Michigan. I have a passion for being outdoors and love to encourage and motivate others to also get outdoors and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Although I sometimes cross-train by biking, the pavement is my home and running is where I am most comfortable. I have had some close calls over the years while running past or near distracted motorists and believe in the mission of ‘It Could Be Me’ to help change the narrative and promote safer roads for all who share the space