Sue Butler is a late bloomer as far as professional cycling goes. At the ripe age of 33, while sitting behind a computer, the school counselor had a wild idea to become a professional bike racer. Having learned to ride mountain bikes the previous summer with her husband, she was on a steep learning curve. In 2003, she competed in her first local mountain bike race, although epic rides still seemed to take precedent. It wasnÂt until 2005, when she took a leave from her job, that she became determined to become a professional cyclist. Unfortunately, knee surgery put her dream on hold until the summer of 2007. Since her first pro season at the age of 35, SueÂs career has taken off with multiple trips to the podium in the biggest mountain bike and cyclocross races in the world. It is her passion and the people that drive her. ÂI figure I only have one go-around on this planet, so I live my life so it will be a good story to tell, she says. ÂI like the story I am telling now.Â
The 2008 season marked her first season on the juice with MonaVie Cannondale. Like the other members on the team, she recorded personal best performances throughout the entire season.
When not training and racing bikes, Sue enjoys climbing and skiing the local Oregon volcanoes with her husband. Seldom do the Butlers take a vacation without bikes or skis; however, when forced to sit still, Sue can harness all that energy into creative hobbies, like making stationery, sewing, making jewelry, and most recently, overseeing the construction of their environmentally friendly home in the heart of Portland. Although SueÂs cycling career got off to a slow start, sheÂs not slowing down; sheÂs just getting warmed up.
Blog: www.suebutlerrides.com
