Channa North-Hoffstaed


Hometown:  Ashland, Oregon

Education: Bachelor of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder, International MBA, University of Denver

Discipline: Road and Mountain Biking

Strengths: Endurance, hill climbs

Former teams: University of Denver Club Cycling

Years racing: 1st season

Objectives:  Improve racing abilities and placement, keep fit and have a blast, and meet and ride with other female cyclists 

Favorite race:  So far, Colorado College Criterium

Admirable athlete:  Levi Leipheimer, Alberto Contador, women racers

Unique info or story:  The first mountain over 8,000 feet was Mount Chichani a 20,000 foot peak on the outskirts of Arequipa, Peru.  Although the climb was a huge challenge, I came back to Colorado wanting to climb fourteeners.  Although, I have only climbed 13, there is nothing quite like standing on top of a mountain.  My favorite 14er so for is Harvard. 

Most Embarrassing (race) moment:  When I was first learning clipless pedals, I ran into the back of my friend’s mountain bike on the way out to a trail in North Boulder.  I fell over and could not get out of the pedals.  It was at a stop sign and while my friend helped position my bike so that I could detach my shoes from my pedals, the person in the Porsche behind kept honking until I was up and on my way.  I’m not easily embarrassed, I find my blunders more humorous than anything else!