Women Cycling Team Takes Top Spots at State Championship

B4T9 team is formerly known as Team Kalyra who set a trans-continental world record in the Race Across America in 2010.

B4T9 defined:

B4……..as in previous to

T9……..as in Title IX, the Federal Law passed in 1972 requiring institutions to provide equitable opportunity for women and girls to participate in sports.

B4t9 sent two teams. One for the 180+ division and one for the 220+ divisions. Divisions are made from the sum of all 4 riders ages.

The distance was 40 Kilometers and both teams averaged approximately 24 mph.

The B4T9 180+ team dethroned last year’s Champion team; seizing the title by over three minutes.

The 180+ team consists of (right to left) Avalon Jenkins-Balker, Kelly McLaughlin, Alexandra Kummer and Bobbi King.

The silver medalists for the 220+ division (from right to left) Jill Gass, Angie Bell, Michelle La Pierre, and Anne Chen.

The B4t9 team recently experienced the devastating loss of their team mate and friend Suzanne Jane Rivera on May 13 ,2012 as a result of injuries suffered in a bicycling accident during the Mariposa County Women’s Stage Race.

“This was an important race for us, as it is dedicated to our lost team mate”. Said Jill Gass, Captain of the Team. ” We race to show solidarity and support for all women cyclists”.

With the passing of their team mate in mind, B4T9 has established a “Pay it Forward” scholarship program to provide assistance to qualified women to compete at USA Cycling Master’s State, National and World Championship events.