2025 Masters Women 35-39 Road National Champion 🇺🇸🥇and Silver in Masters Criterium🥈
The group stayed together all morning after a few attacks that never broke away. I knew we were looking at a sprint finish as we approached the final leg of the course. With a little over half a mile to go, the group bunched up and slowed down and my instincts said "GO NOW". There was no hesitation, just a punch from the legs onto the pedals as I smashed my way towards the finish. About 30 seconds in I thought "what the hell did I just do?!" But I kept digging and secured the win and a new 1 min power of 561 W 🫠
As I reflect on this moment, I am overwhelmed with emotions, memories, thoughts of all the life experiences and relationships built along the way that has led me here.
Just under a year ago I set my heart and my mind into one goal... To go as far as I could racing bicycles. While I'm not new to cycling, I'm new to the racing scene.
For all of the hard work, dedication, road blocks, good days and bad to culminate in this moment.... I'd say I'm especially grateful 🥲 Grateful for the opportunity to pursue this. Grateful for the FRIENDSHIPS made along the way. Grateful for a strong and able body.
And to think, a few weeks ago I wasn't going to race @usacycling Masters Nats.
4 days of racing @tourofamericasdairyland leading up to Masters Nats made for some tired legs along with a little hamstring injury that occurred Friday night. But we pushed on. Because that's what makes life the most fulfilling. Pushing the limits.
Massive thanks to those who relentlessly support me in my crazy endeavors....
My family and friends especially @cita1953@ibradsmith@bakerbuilttracks@brandisbaker@petebutlertallahassee@dontskimyourstory@epicbikestlh
My team @fountcycling for providing me the platform and taking a chance on me.
And to my coach @rocketrichter for the training that I know made this possible.
This is one to remember 🙏🏼
#mastersnats #starsandbars #usacycling #nats #nationalchampion #fountcycling #dontskimyourstory #wisconsin #gotthatcheddar
@redlandsclassic Stage 2 - @lbakes74 sprints to 12th place on a fast and flat circuit with help from her team🩵 Super result for Lauren and the team- we’re looking forward to seeing her in more sprints this year 💨
📸 @blakedahlin
Kinda crazy how you can gain 11 new **amazing** friends in just a matter of a few days!
@unitedcyclingwomen team camp was everything I hoped it would be—an opportunity to connect, push, support, learn, and laugh along the way. These women embody immense strength in both athleticism and character. I considered myself fortunate to be surrounded by this diverse, talented, and truly genuine group of women.
Each one of us has a unique story of how we got here.... And yet here we are, racing #united
United Cycling Women's Domestic Elite Team 2026 🏁
As we move into 2026, things are always evolving and changing, but usually this a good thing!!! In this case it’s a GREAT thing…we’re so excited and overjoyed to announce that we’ve signed Lauren Smith to the team full-time. Lauren is a quick learner with a smile that lights up the whole room and has one of the best attitudes towards bike racing. Since transitioning from racing motocross, Lauren has quickly ascended the ranks in USA cycling on the domestic racing scene. She has a 2025 Master’s Nationals title to her name, but this is just the start. Known for her explosive sprinting abilities and versatility (across disciplines!), she will make an immediate impact. Welcome @lbakes74 !!!!
There's something to be said for off-road endurance racing. It's been over a year since I have lined up for an event this long (not to mention an xc race) and last weekend was proof of how much my mind, heart, and body craves and missed this type of racing/riding.
My bicycle journey started on dirt and it's no secret that's where I feel the most alive and challenged. I am excited to cap off my 2025 racing season with a ticket to @leadvilleraceseries next year. 2026 is going to rip!
So thankful for my mom @cita1953 who shared the weekend with me! We had the absolute best time adventuring together 🥰
@coldwatertrail threw one heck of a race and I'll be looking forward to doing it again next year.
It was all-out racing for 100k and over 6,000 feet of climbing🤘
Our incredible inaugural women’s podium at the 2025 Life Time Coldwater Trail presented by Sunny King Auto:
🥇 Ali Lecraw 5:39:18
🥈 Sarah Swapinski 6:02:05
🥉 Lauren Smith 6:07:08
Nothing like a hard day of racing under sunny Alabama skies!
The finish line party continues ALL DAY here in Downtown Anniston.
Vuelta Femenina Costa Rica 2025!
An unforgettable and beautiful experience. Where total strangers came together and raced as a team.
This was my first stage race and first UCI race.
I managed to come away 2nd in overall intermediate sprint points as well as snagged 6th and 12th place finishes. I finished 9th overall in points classification.
My teammates for the week also had some outstanding performances where @plants_and_wheels landed 3rd place on stage 3 and even got our team into GC contention.
Every result was a team effort from all the girls, our DS @eltigreuno , and our 2 staff members.
I am so overwhelmed with the joy I experienced this past week. From making new friends to pushing personal boundaries... Each day was a gift and I thank all those who helped me get to this point.
#vueltafemeninacostarica #puravida
Tour of America's Dairyland 2025🐄🥛🧀🚴🏼♀️
Had the best time racing my bike in circles in Milwaukee with my team @fountcycling 💚 and with some of the fastest/strongest women in the country
Forever thankful for the opportunity to do this and for all who support me along the way
PC @mitchtigram for most of the pics
@fountcycling@rideshimano@wahoofitnessofficial@lazersportna@epicbikestlh@dontskimyourstory
#toad #critracing #critcrocs #fountcycling #fountcult #girlsingreen #roadbikes #acc #americancritcup #braaap #motolean
TULSA TOUGH 2025
The racing 🏁🚴🏼♀️The crowd 📣🥳The hand-ups 💸🍺The vibes🪩💃🏼🤯
I can see why it's called the Superbowl of crit racing! What an insane experience this past weekend.
Lots to take away as I continue to move forward and gain more experience in the women's pro/1/2 class.
Big thanks to my team @fountcycling for their continued support and belief in me.
Up next, TOAD 🐸🏁
📸 Pictures 1&2 @chriswilsonphoto
📸 Pictures 3&4 @kaicaddy
#tulsatough #flyoverthis #americancritcup #keepgrinding #critracing #girlsingreen #fountcyclingguild
US Pro Road Nationals Criterium 2025
Fount Cycling Guild showed up in full force for this race. The team took control early on with rapid-fire attacks that kept the pace spicy the entire 75 minutes.
My job was to conserve what I could in case our aggressive attacks were unsuccessful and the race came down to a field sprint.
As the race closed in on the last few laps, that's what it looked like would happen.
But for me, when the time came to be there to go for the sprint finish, I just didn't have it. Poor positioning throughout the race had me working more than necessary in what was a blisteringly fast race, and I was doing everything I could to fight to hang on through the end. This is not an excuse; it's holding myself accountable for where I am currently as a new road racer.
I have no doubt in my ability to sprint and race with the very best—but more work and experience are obviously needed to get there, and that's ok.
Lining up with the best crit racers in the US last week to race for a National Championship after only racing road bikes for about 6 months is something I am incredibly proud of.
I am grateful for the opportunities that @fountcycling has provided me to get to this point so quickly.
Here's to growing as an athlete and taking on new challenges 👊
#fountcyclingguild #girlsingreen #critracing #usac
#usproroadnats #joetopro #roadracing #cycling
📸 @kaicaddy
