“Since our inception, the DNA cycling mission has been to build apparel solutions for dirt & asphalt and to support communities and riders that share a love for cycling. Twelve years later, we continue to support groups like the DNA PRO CYCLING Women’s Team – A formidable crew of daring women who have been riding alongside each other for years. Officially in their 10th year, we applaud and admire the resilience and commitment of our riders to the team and this organization. Congrats and good luck!” – DNA Cycling
TEAM CAMP
Photos & Words:
The DNA Pro Cycling team gathered in Tucson last month for team camp in preparation for their tenth season of racing. Cathy Fegan-Kim, team co-owner and an established cycling photographer in her own right, invited me along for a few days to join the team and photograph camp from an outsider’s perspective.
With a number of new roster additions during the off-season, this trip was the first opportunity for many of the riders to meet face to face and ride together. Nine women from four nations, convening down in the desert to get the 2022 season underway. Between big family dinners at the rider house and a competitive afternoon spent at Top Golf, the team bonding happened in short order.
Back Row (left to right): Kira Payer, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Erica Clevenger, Diana Carolina Peñuela, Anet Barrera.
Front Row (left to right) : Brenna Wrye-Simpson, Kimberly Lucie, Daphne Karagianis, Kaitlyn Rauwerda
With a team of new faces and personalities to learn, my time with the squad also served as a pre-season test of both my creative and trust building skills. With photo focused training rides, sprint competitions, as well as a wide array of portraits and new equipment shots to capture, there was a lot to cover in just a few days. It was an exciting challenge to take on and a chance to put both my journalistic and portrait photography skills to work.
Tucson provided the perfect backdrop for both camp and photography. The sunshine and warm temperatures were a welcome sight for those of us traveling in from northern locales like Oregon and Canada. Long ribbons of asphalt that go on for miles under the Arizona sun and the renowned Mt.Lemmon climb served up fresh scenery around every bend. It was truly an inspiring place to get the year started, that is certain.
What’s also certain is that DNA’s program has become a well oiled machine over the past nine years. With a roster featuring current and former national champions as well as promising young talent, the team is undoubtedly a threat to win any race they enter. From an organizational standpoint, it’s immediately evident that the attention to detail and thoughtfulness of the ownership has created a winning culture. This team can and will be standing on the top of podiums all season long. It was an honor to get to spend a few days in their midst and to get to know them all a bit better.
I’ve put together a gallery of a few of my favorite moments from camp and I hope you’ll enjoy a small peek into what it’s like to spend a few days with DNA Pro Cycling. To learn more about the team and follow along this summer, head to www.dnacyclingteam.com. If you’d like your own DNA Pro team kit, head to the web store for both men’s and women’s replica options.
