2017 Chainlink Ambassador: Lisa Luttenegger

Lisa Luttenegger is a Chainlink ambassador and triathlete with Chicago Endurance Sports/Precision Multisport—racing any distance from Divvy SuperSprint to the Ironman—and a marketing agency project coordinator. She learned to ride a bike on a dirt mound in the back yard and hopes to someday return to these cyclocross roots and remedy her bike-race envy. Lisa shares a condo with her tuxedo Maine Coon, Joe Meower, and their bicycles: Freddie Mercury, MC Scat Cat, Batman, and Benji. 

First bike?
An assortment of secondhand family bikes came first, but the first new-to-me bike was a Specialized hybrid, probably a Sirrus.

What inspires you to ride?
Ice cream/food, general happiness. Cycling is the best way to see the world.

Any advice for people who are just getting started commuting and/or riding?
Read up! There are a lot of great resources out there (ahem, The Chainlink) on etiquette, gear, places to ride, groups, events, etc. Don’t get too caught up in “gear” but get a good pair of shorts. Ask questions! Hydrate!

Courtesy of Mike Norman/Chicago Endurance Sports

Do you have a cycling bucket list? What’s on the list?
RAGBRAI, Ride the Rockies, TransAmerica & Trans-Canada, Alpe d’Huez, a bunch of Ironmans, the list goes on…

Favorite places to bike to for a snack, drinks, coffee, or food 
Cornfields, parking lots…usually packing a solid buffet. I’ve also gotten lost on a ride and stopped for fresh veggies at a roadside farmstand, which was awesome.Favorite regular post-ride spots include Walker Brothers (Wilmette & Arlington Heights, IL), Great Dane (Fitchburg, WI), and Comet Custard (Rolling Meadows, IL). 

How many bikes do you own?
n + 1 = 4