Dear Esteemed Clubs of the New England Bicycle Racing Association,

I am writing for your vote to fill the recent vacancy on the New England Bicycle Racing Association (“NEBRA”) Board.

Briefly—off the bike, I am a proud life-long New Englander and a current resident of Arlington, Massachusetts, along with my spouse Shane (also an avid cyclist and bike racer) and our dog Remy.  I attended college and law school in the Bay State, and now work as an Assistant Attorney General for Attorney General Maura Healey, where I have served for almost 9 years. Throughout my legal career, I have been a passionate advocate for consumer rights and protector of the public fisc through civil investigations based mainly on the Massachusetts Consumer Protection and False Claims Acts.  I enjoy building a case methodically, and knowing my stuff. While my core responsibilities require specific subject matter expertise, I frequently collaborate with other stakeholders in government and the private sector. I believe that my legal and acquired business knowledge would allow me to provide a constructive, complementary perspective to the Board, if I am fortunate enough to join the current team.

I first got into cycling as I was about to turn 30.  It perfectly encapsulated that feeling of being a kid again—the sense of freedom and taking flight.  But it also provided something primal, creating that urge to cry out in pain and despair on certain early pitchy climbs.  I didn’t really have either of these things in my life, and I was hooked on both accounts. However, I did not get into racing right away.  My first group events were women’s rides like the NEBC Tuesday Paceline Ride and the LUNAChix program road and mountain bike rides. These early experiences were quite instructive and taught me the value of clinics and inclusivity in this sport.  I went on to be a member of the Ride Studio Café Expedition Team and later to lead four seasons of a women’s ride series locally for Rapha. I put my stamp on these rides both as a route designer and as a welcoming, relative newcomer myself.

Today, my main focus has been competing regionally in cyclo-cross as a member of the Pedal Power Training Solutions team, though I have dabbled in both road and mountain bike racing.   I would like to see New England develop more breadth and depth in its “gravel” offerings. We have a fair number of dirt road and mixed terrain rides, but it seems like there is appetite for more, and for more races in this discipline.  I would like to able to workshop these ideas as part of the Board, as well as how to attract—and retain—more women in the sport, especially competitively. I have a proven track record of participating in, leading, and offering support for women’s recreational and competitive cycling.  I would welcome the opportunity to serve the greater NEBRA community as a Board member to further grow our sport. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Best regards,

Jenny Wojewoda