Kelli Emmett's trip to mountain bike racing's elite level began 16 years ago in a bar in Aruba, Michigan. She wasn't exactly health conscious at the time. As she puts it, "I ... worked as a bartender at age 18. So, you can only imagine." But that experience made her think. She grew up a little, moved home, enrolled in college and discovered the thrill of riding and racing. Now she is the defending national champion in the Super D (a combination downhill, cross country race), spends time coaching riders who want to follow her wheel, and has signed on with the Giant race team for another year. PikesPeakSports.us tossed a few questions her way and she hit them out of the park. Here is the interview.

What brought you to the Pikes Peak Region and what do you like about living here?
I came to the Pikes Peak region 11 years ago to attend the OTC.  My coach at the time and new teammate, Alison Dunlap, were living here and I figured it would be a great opportunity to surround myself in a focused training environment. I had also racked up a serious amount of debt my first year racing so by living at the OTC I was able to pay off my credit cards.
I have thought about leaving Colorado Springs a couple of time but I really fell in love with the outdoor activities that it has to offer and the friends I have met over the years. The mountain biking is fantastic and we are able to enjoy it almost year round. There are not many places in the country where you can do a wide variety of sports such as skiing, dirt biking, and mountain biking.  We have this great access in the city, but yet we can get into the mountains in minutes.
Tell us a little about your life off the bike. What do you like to do, where do you hang out?
Well, I am not sure where all my time goes, but I always seem to keep myself pretty busy. I work as a internet-based cycling coach for 11 athletes as well. Some of my clients are here in Colorado Springs but I also have others from all over the country.
I also work for Center of Creative Leadership as a fitness adjunct. So, it means waking up for 5:30 a.m. and taking guests hiking through some of the local parks. Even though it can be very difficult to wake up early, the sunrise at the Garden of the Gods makes it all worth it.
I also enjoy riding dirt bikes and try to get out once week on the trails when the weather permits. This time of year is pretty tough, so I am lucky to get out once a month. We are so lucky here in the Springs to be able to ride out our back door.
And, snowboarding is my third sport I really enjoy doing when I'm home. My favorite ski resort is Monarch. I can hit the slack country for an extra workout and then ride the lifts when I want the rest. There are rarely any lift lines, tickets are cheap, and the snow is usually amazing!
My favorite places to hang out in the Springs when I am home are Shugas, Il Vacino, and Fujiyamas Sushi. But, I have to admit, I don't go out much when I am home. I tend to stay in and enjoy cooking dinners and drinking wine with friends.
Where do you like to ride in Colorado Springs and why?
Oh, I have to say one of my favorite rides is Red Rocks to Section 16, then up Palmer Trail and then down thru Red Rocks again. It's about a 2-hour loop and the trail has fantastic technical descents and great climbing. I could ride it almost every day. I also really enjoy riding in Cheyenne Canyon on Buckhorn and Captain Jacks.  There are so many different trails in the area and I still continue to find new areas to ride in even after living here for 11 years. I think it is Colorado Springs' greatest asset.
You raced in Palmer Park last May, any plans to race locally this year?
Yes, of course!  Nothing better then sleeping in your own bed and then attending a race. I am planning to be at the Mountain States Cup Race April 8-10 in Cheyenne Mountain State Park and the other race at Palmer Park in May. I will hopefully try and hit a couple of the Wednesday night races at Bear Creek park if it fits in my training schedule. I really enjoy racing the single speed race. I get to race against the guys and they really don't like being beat by a girl.
In one of your online bios, you talk about being a party girl in high school. Tell us a little about the young Kelli from Plymouth, Michigan, and how did you come to choose mountain bike racing as a  passion and career?
Ah, yes. I was a bit of party girl growing up. I started smoking cigarettes when I was 14 years old and got in trouble a lot in school. I barely made classes and didn't really care about grades. I didn't have much confidence with athletics and I actually avoided any physical activity. I cheated on a swimming test and got kicked out of weightlifting class for not working out.
After high school, I moved to Aruba for a year and worked as a bartender at age 18. So, you can only imagine. But, it was a great experience for me because I got the parting out of my system and then decided to head home and attend college. It kinda of put life in perspective for me. I wanted to do more then just work at as a bartender. I knew I had to start taking better care of myself and cut back on drinking.
In college, I started to get involved in biking and living a healthier lifestyle. The owner of a local bike shop talked me into doing a race. I stopped smoking cigarettes on Wednesday, so I could do a race on Saturday. I started to meet some of the other girls and really felt like I belonged for the first time in my life. I lacked a lot of confidence while I was growing up and never felt like I was good enough to play sport because I never got involved when I was younger.
We were always working growing up, so playing sports was never really an option. I finished second in my first beginner race and it hooked me to work harder. I knew what it meant to work hard so I just needed to work really hard and I knew results would improve. I just put my head down and decided I would work harder then everyone. I started winning all these races in Michigan and having a lot of fun with racing.
My family became super supportive because they knew it would lead me to opportunities and a better lifestyle. I became addicted to racing and traveling all over the country. I love the freedom of traveling and experiencing of new places.  I don't think I ever thought of it as a career but just something I really enjoyed doing.
I was lucky to receive a contract my first season racing as a professional and have been able to make a living ever since. It's been 11 years now and I can't believe I've been able to race for this long. It's definitely been an amazing experience and will always look back at this time in my life with a smile.
You've won two Super D national championships. What is it about that style of racing that works for you?
I love Super D! It's great event. It's a downhill race that doesn't require a long travel suspension bike. I usually use my cross country race bike. It's usually a mix of endurance and downhill technical skills. It's a rush and I just really enjoy descending on a mountain bike. It has always been my reward after climbing. I am not the best at climbing so I worked hard at descending to make up time I lost on the climb. It's just fun for me and what I enjoy most. So, usually things you enjoy the most you excel at.
What are your racing goals for 2011 and beyond?
I am looking to win Downieville again, both the XC and downhill events. Last year, I won the XC and overall but not the downhill. Also, Leadville and place Top 5 at the National Championships in Ketchum, Idaho. I always seem to struggle at Nationals because of some reason or another. So, this year I am going to focus and really go for it. Beyond? I am not sure. I am wanting to just focus on this year and see where it goes.
You'll be 34 on April 7. How many more years would you like to race and what are your plans for later on?
Ohh.. Good Question. I am actually getting towards the end of my racing career and doing even fewer races this year. I've been racing a long time and looking for other areas in life to challenge myself. I currently work as a cycling coach and want to increase my clientele and share with other what I have learned over the years.
But, that is about all I know at this point. I have been so focused on racing the past few years that I haven't had much time to think about what's next. So, I am hoping to really figure that out over the next few years. Maybe more coaching or some other completely different career that I don't even know about yet. But, I have some time to figure it out.

Photos above left by Christian Murdock, The Gazette; and above right by Rob Lucas.