Amateur cyclist riding at front of pack

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Ty Greenlees/Ty Greenlees Emily Walling is one of the top amateur cyclists in Ohio.

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By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer Updated 12:05 AM Sunday, July 12, 2009

Emily Walling's first bicycle weighed about 24 pounds. Her newest racing bike -- a full carbon-fiber product -- tips the scale at a mere 17 pounds. The frame alone (provided by Fuji) goes for $3,800.

Walling, a standout rider for Team Dayton Cycling, refers to that first bike as 'basic, very entry level.' But after her father bought it for her when she was in high school, she developed tunnel vision.

"All I do is ride my bike," she said with a laugh. "I'm not really a movie person. And music, I just listen to whatever's on the radio."

Walling, 26, rode seven years for recreation and started racing competitively three years ago. She is one of about 25 women who race for Team Dayton Cycling, an outfit boasting well over 100 members.

Walling, a graduate of Carroll High School, is the top-ranked Category 2 rider in Ohio (there are four categories in women's racing, based on a point system). She is tied for 12th in the nation, according to her team's Web site.

Most recently, Walling won Columbus' Tour de Grandview on June 28. In early May, she took top honors at the Joe Martin Stage Race. After that race, she bumped up to Category 2.

She also traveled to Athens, Ga., in April to enter a National Racing Calender event. Walling didn't finish that race. However, she felt racing alongside professional riders helped her.

"The fact that I did it, and I was side-by-side with pro women, national champions, it was awesome," she said. "Wonderful experience."

She may have thrown her hat into the professional ring, but Walling insists the foray was brief.

"Going pro, it takes a lot of time and a lot of money," she said. "I'm going back to school and everything, so I don't think it can be done."

Walling, who has an associate degree in exercise science from Sinclair Community College, plans to enroll at Wright State in the fall for Health and Physical Education. She plans to teach middle school.

"I hope to (graduate) by the time I'm 30," she said with another laugh.

In her words

"I was waterskiing before I was bike riding. Boating with the fam is always cool.

"I have a mom, a dad and a sister. I just go over there whenever I can get a meal off of them. That's wrong (laughs).

"I get ice cream once a week. Sundays are ice cream days -- chocolate marshmallow custard with cookie dough. I usually have to twist my roommate's arm to go.

When I first started racing, I saw it as an opportunity to travel, but when you travel, all you do is race.

"I enjoy a couple beers every now and then, but I'm not a party girl. Usually, I'll stick to Killian's, but recently I've been introduced to Black and Tan.

"In the offseason: trail running. My favorite trail to run is Sugar Creek Reserve.

"(Cash winnings) are always nice. But that's not why we do it. It's not. Believe me."

Story Ideas?

Do you know someone who would make a good Sports People candidate? We’re looking for volunteers, athletes, officials and coaches who make a difference in the area sports scene. If you have any ideas, drop a line to Sports Editor Brian Kollars at bkollars@ DaytonDaily News.com.

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