BIO

ABOUT ME: I am a 32 year old professional cyclist, cycling mentor, and freelance graphic designer located in Mill Valley / San Francisco, CA.

MY CYCLING STORY:
I began cycling at a young age, first on my hot red tricycle, then bmx bike, eventually graduating to a mountain bike that I rode all over the mountain trails of my northeastern Washington home.

I discovered early on that I was an intensely competitive person on the bike – always trying to race my sister, who on the other hand, was not, and couldn’t have cared less to race me.

As a young teen, I found refuge in team sports; I ran track and played soccer in high school. Loving the competition, I began shaping my future as a competitive athlete.

My world was turned upside down with the loss of my mother at the age of 15. I was forced to grow up rather quickly, supporting myself, and seeing that I finished high school. With no vision for a future in the small town in which I grew up, I relocated to Seattle, WA after graduation. I worked several jobs and went to college at night. Feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled, I wanted a break, and the freedom and excitement that I saw bicycle messengers experiencing on the streets of Seattle. I decided to make a few phone calls one day to inquire about job possibilities, and the next day I started a new job as a bike courier. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this career move would end up taking me all over the world to compete in messenger championship races, and eventually to San Francisco where I would discover road racing and realize my dream of becoming a professional athlete.

And so, here’s a quick summary of what’s happened since:

2003

I joined McGuire Real Estate Cycling. Racing for the McGuire Women’s team served as a new way to push myself both mentally and physically.

2005

I had the opportunity to relocate to Switzerland for work, and spent a year pedaling many beautiful European roads. Following this experience I returned to the US, ready to race my bike domestically. This led me to join Dolce Vita Cycling for 2007 and 2008 where I found my strength as a sprinter in criteriums, my potential as a GC rider in stage races, and a love for track racing.

2009

I joined SugarCRM women’s elite squad under the leadership of Liza Rachetto, primarily in a domestique role, and continued to develop my skills as a rider.

I was able to participate in NRC races and stage races such as San Dimas, Tulsa Tough, and Nature Valley. It was on the NRC Circuit that I increased my strength and found the joy of helping teammates to victory, all while continuing to develop as a sprinter and all around rider.

Eager to further develop, I went to race in Belgium for the month of July. I participated in 10 races during my stay. I am most pleased with my 9th place finish in the 108km Boezinge Flemish Trophy Race after initiating the winning break in the first lap. I learned to excel in tough environments, and took away lessons from every race experience.

2010/2011/2012

I was recruited to Vanderkitten and Vanderkitten-Focus, competing in national and international races. I have taken pride in supporting teammates to victory, further developing as a domestique, hitting my stride as a sprinter, as well as serving as a mentor to developing riders.

The past few years have provided me with the opportunity to mentor others in the Early Bird Developmental Program, which is a skill and race clinic series at the start of every road season. I also act as a team mentor for the Early Bird Women’s Developmental Team. This experience has further defined my passion for the sport, and for supporting others with a strong focus on developing women.

NOT ON THE BIKE:

When I’m not on the bike I work for Public Bikes as store front manager and customer service manager. Through this position I have the opportunity to bring the joy of cycling to so many people some for the first time.

I am also a for higher free lance graphic designer  specializing in publication design, cycling apparel and other industry design. www.starladesign.com

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

Upgraded to Cat 1
8th Over all Tour Of America’s Dairy Land
2nd over all Cat 2 with 4 days in the green Jersey
2011 Ranked 3rd overall in the country on the Road for Crit Cat 2
Ranked 1st overall in CA on the road for Crit Cat 2
1st at PIR ORBA
1st Davis 4th of July Crit
9th Boezinge Belgium
Over 13 top 10’s and 25 top 20’s in 2011

RACING HIGHLIGHTS:

Cat 1/2 2011 Season Highlights

Upgraded to Cat 1
Oakland GP 2
SAC GP 3
San Rafael Twilight Criterium 7
TOAD Overall 8
TOAD GC overall Cat-2  2
TOAD Crit 8
TOAD Crit 5
TOAD Crit 4
TOAD RR 3
Allmart Crit  3
Menlo GP 4
THF Reality Gateway Cup  8

Cat 2 2010 Season Highlights
Gateway Cup 4
PIR ORBA 1
Franz Bakery Crit   4
Tour de Nez | Time Trial 9
Memorial Day Criterium 7
Sacramento Grand Prix 10
Sandy Springs 12
Dilworth Criterium 12
LA Circuit Race 8
Land Park Criterium      9
Central Coast Circuit Races  2
Cherry Pie Criterium    7
Cat 2 2009 Season Highlights
Herentals Belgium 18
Dutch Post tour Crit 16
Kapellen Belgium 17
Boezinge Belgium 9
Bambrugge Belgium 23
Arendonk Belgium 15
Oakland Grand Prix 9
Davis 4th of July Crit 1
Tour de Nez GC 8
Tour de Nez | Circuit Race 10
Tour de Nez | Crit 6
Tour de Nez | Crit 6

GOALS:
My number one goal is to become a full time athlete. By focusing my time and energy on the road, and to the sport, I will be able to develop myself as a sprinter, as well as inspire and help develop others through mentoring and training. In 2012 I wish to return to Belgium for a month to race and take a small selection of young developing women athletes with me to share the experience of racing abroad.

In the long term I want to continue my focus by working hard to achieve my full potential as a sprinter and race at the highest level on the road.

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP?

WHAT I CAN GIVE BACK:

As a professional athlete I will represent your brand in a professional manner at all times. I will support and endorse your brand through racing, appearances and events, as well as on my website and through social media.

My passion for cycling is infectious, and I approach every person I meet with the same level of energy and zeal that has gotten me where I am so far. That authenticity is reflected back to every organization that sponsors me, and thousands of people every year are exposed to my sponsors via my involvement in the sport.

ENDORSEMENTS:

“I have known Ms Teddergreen since 2008 as an athlete, friend and currently registered rider on Vanderkitten-Focus Pro Women’s Cycling Team.

She is the consummate professional, juggling team duties as required while racing at the top level across the USA, in addition to being an integral part of team promotional events, community duties and school visits.

I would recommend Ms Teddergreen in the highest level to any company, supporter or organization that encourages and assists her efforts to continue being an elite athlete and brand ambassador”.

Jono Coulter  
Director Vanderkitten Athletics LLC

“I have known Starla for several years and she has been an athlete of mine for one year, performing at the professional level during her entire tenure.

Starla’s performance and professionalism are exceptional. Her depth of sports and product knowledge, approachability, and eager nature make working with her a pleasure. She is an exceptional rider and a true professional and represents her sponsors exceptionally well.

I highly recommend Starla for personal sponsorship. She is a team player and would make a great asset to any organization”.

Adnan Kadir
Aeolus Endurance Sport
USAC Licensed Coach
“Teams and Companies that are successful need riders like Starla Teddergreen for many reasons. Over the last few years I’ve had a chance to watch her show true class, professionalism and grace. The fact that she has gotten results and is a feared competitor is one thing, and an important one. The other side of the coin is the way your sponsors and team are represented off the bike. You couldn’t find a better ambassador for cycling and sport than Starla”.

Dave Towel
Professional Announcer

“Starla Teddergreen is one of the most agile, supportive, dynamic, positive athletes on the National Elite Female Road Racing circuit.

She’s a quick rider, as well as a quick thinker. Her quest for racing at the professional level is worthy, and well worth considering as a place to target support.

Starla has racing experience from Europe, and she can hold her own in any professional peloton. Her heart, her dedication, and her ability to read races is unmatched by many.

She’s resourceful both on the race course and off of the race course when traveling.  Her ability to listen to teammates, and help make decisions on the fly in a pack is phenomenal.

Starla is a worker, and she’s a sprinter. Put her in a role for the team, and she’ll get it done, above and beyond what’s been asked.

Starla also plays a key role in developing female racers at the base of this sport in her home community of Northern California (the Nations most competitive region for cycling). She is helping develop a foundation of female riders, who are learning how to be good bike racers.

Starla has been a mentor for the Early Bird Racing Series in Fremont for the past several years, where riders learn how to race. She has also been a Team Mentor for the Early Bird Women’s Developmental Cycling Team by participating in their team camp for the last two years, as a role model, a leader, and a mentor”.

Laurel Green
Director-Early Bird Women’s Developmental Cycling Team
Coach: Peaks Coaching Group

IF YOUR INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP PLEASE CONTACT ME: 

steddergreen@gmail.com