On The Spot: Bikesutra interviews Marla Streb

What would make a former biomedical researcher leave her promising career in 1994, climb onto a bicycle and hurtle herself down the side of a mountain at speeds topping fifty miles an hour? Marla Streb did just that and today there is still no stopping her. At the age of 36, she continues to compete against women ten years her junior at the one of the most extreme sports of downhill mountain biking. Bikesutra: How different is Marla Streb before and after your discovered mountain biking? Marla Streb: Mountain biking has taught me that if I can climb a mountain, I can conquer anything. I'm much more confident now, and much less shy. I was a quiet research scientist, and socially inept. But once I started riding bikes, I realized that I was stronger than I thought, physically and mentally. Perhaps not intellectually but two out of three aint bad. Bikesutra: What was it like working on Top Speed with the likes of Marion Jones, Lucas Luhr and Stephen Murkett. Marla Streb: I never actually worked with Lucas and Marion, but I did spend a couple days filming with Stephen Murkett and Tim Allen the actor. The whole Hollywood thing is interesting. You know you will spend a lot of time these people with all of the project's down time. You tell your deepest darkest secrets because they are all sort of artistic. Everyone knows you may never see each other again once the film wraps. So it's kind of like a one night stand. From what I hear anyway. Bikesutra: Describe your feeling when you are barrelling downhill at 67 miles per hour. Marla Streb: I feel like a cavewoman. Like I am being controlled with my purely primitive, uninhibited brainstem Bikesutra: I understand that you have a Master of Science degree and have worked as a research biologist previously. Has that in any way contributed to your success in mountain biking? Marla Streb: It's a great marketing hook. Bikesutra: Any thoughts about going back to being a research scientist? Marla Streb: I would never go back to research, unless I write my own grant. But the chances of that are small, unless I get bored during our circumnavigation. Bikesutra: Your injury list is well, for the lack a better word, "impressive" - five broken collarbones, sustained six concussions, blown two ligaments, received 200 stitches and added broken ankles, fingers and thumbs - what makes you keep going back to mountain biking after recovering from each of these injuries? Marla Streb: I've never even had the thought of quitting, no matter the injury. I only worried about getting back as quickly as possible and not letting anyone find out. This sounds crazy, but I believe I sustained more long-term damage in the research lab, handling radioactive isotopes, toxic compounds, and deadly viruses. Bikesutra: Which would you say was your most challenging race to date and why? Marla Streb: I recently competed in The Red Bull Divide and Conquer. It was a relay, and I did the mountain bike segment. Not only was the actual riding one of the hardest things I've ever done (all climbing, at altitude), but I had to coerce my sponsors into letting me sabotage my NORBA national ranking by skipping a national, to participate in this thing. It didn't make sense. In retrospect, it still doesn't. Bikesutra: What are your other hobbies? Marla Streb: Billiards, motocross, gardening Bikesutra: Tell us something about Marla Streb that we don't already know. Marla Streb: I live in a garage and sometimes pee outside Bikesutra: Posing nude on your bike for Outside Magazine - for art or sport? Marla Streb: Sport Bikesutra: What is the significance of the tatoo at your lower back? Marla Streb: I won that at the very first single speed world championships in L.A. They put the tat on at the finish line, which was conveniently located at a dive bar. Bikesutra: What are your plans for racing in the future? Marla Streb: I plan to race a full schedule this year, just in varying events. I'm not doing the normal NORBA series, but mixing it up at some festivals, 24 hour races, etc Bikesutra: Any advice for all the aspiring women mountain bike racers out there? Marla Streb: Just follow your heart and keep riding your bike. The most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life was to finally do what I wanted, not what society expected. And if you want to go pro, write me. I've got some inside lines... We would like to thank Marla for the interview and wish her all the best for her future endeavours!

Marla's Book    Highlights Redbull.com - Gravity Goddess Topspeed Films - Profiles in Speed The San Diego Union-Tribune - Book Review  Other Highlights To vew Marla's cycling gallery, Click Here. Be sure to visit Marla Streb's website  Marla's Diaries