Q: How long have you worked at Victory Velo? A: I have been at Victory Velo since the middle of August, and I actually live in Meadow Vista. In April (my family and I) moved up here. I lived in Rocklin before. Q: How old are you? A: I’m 18. Q: Where did you work previously? A: I have worked at The Hub (bike shop) in Roseville. That was actually my first job. Q: What are your favorite things to do in your free time? A: (I like to) ride my bike, and go hang out with my friends. I like photography a lot. I was actually thinking about doing photography for bike races. Q: What is it about bike riding that you enjoy? A: It’s just that you get out in nature. You don’t have to worry about anything else but riding your bike. It’s also exercise, and I hate to exercise, so I get to do something fun and be really healthy. Q: What are your goals for the future? A: Eventually, a lot later down the road, I would like to open up my own (bike) shop. For right now, I would like to focus on my mechanic skills. I would like to go to the Specialized Bicycle Components University (in Morgan Hill). I have also been thinking about going to a mechanics school in Ashland, Ore. I just want to become a better rider. I don’t race or anything like that. I just want to keep bikes fun. Q: Can you tell me about your family? A: I have a little sister. She is 16. And I have two little brothers. They are 13 and 9. I live with my parents up in Meadow Vista. My dad, he’s like my riding buddy. We are actually building a little bike trail around our property, and my brothers like to go off the jumps. Q: Can you tell me about your education? A: I graduated from Rocklin Independent School. We covered the same information the high school kids did, I was just able to graduate a year early. I’m saving up now to go to college. I will probably just go to Sierra College for now and maybe transfer over to a bigger university later on. Q: What is something unique about you? A: There are not too many female bike mechanics, and my friends always tease me that I’m always smiling. Q: What is one thing about you most people might not know? A: Until you get to know me, I’m pretty shy and kind of quiet. Once I have gotten to know you, I’m not obnoxious, but I can definitely hold my own in a bike shop full of guys. I used to write poetry all the time. I’m starting to do that again. Q: What is your favorite brand and type of bicycle? A: There are so many, and they are all so different. They all have good things about them that others don’t have. I just have a Hardtail bike right now with front suspension. I would like to have a bike with full suspension one day. I just have to save up for it. Q: What is your favorite music? A: That is so hard. I can go from listening to Sinatra and then listen to hard rock. I really am getting into folk music lately, a lot of stuff with harmonica and banjo. Q: Who are some of your influences? A: I have a couple of really good friends that have been really supportive as far as working in the bike industry. Two of them in particular have taught me most of what I know. My parents have been really supportive. And the owner here, Dan (Tebbs), he has given me this job and allowed me to grow not just as a mechanic, but as a person also. Q: What is your greatest goal in life? A: Just to be happy really, and content with what I have. Reach Bridget Jones at bridgetj@goldcountrymedia.com