Lady Contradiction

Marla Streb confounds all expectations placed in a top-notch female mountain biker. Except with respect to the number of her victories.

Over ten years ago, while Marla Streb was pursuing her original career in AIDS research, she broke her collarbone on a photo shoot for her first biking sponsor. Rather than calling an ambulance, Marla first worried about her bike – which describes her relationship with the sport quite well. Taken as a whole, Marla is a kaleidoscope of interesting characteristics: world-class mountain biker, model – naked on her bike! –, classical pianist, trained molecular biologist, grown woman, mischievous child.

“Pretty Good at Suffering”

After her first Red Bull Divide & Conquer ordeal in 2004 (the event consists of kayaking, running, paragliding and mountain biking, the last of which was Marla’s job), Marla asked herself out loud just why she puts herself through all this: “I’m not sure if it’s self-loathing or a chromosomal aberration.” She was back, of course, the in 2005 edition. Because, as she says with a wink, she’s pretty good at suffering. She’s even better, however, at leading a life full of surprises. And anyone can read about how this life’s been so far, because Marla has authored an autobiographical book: “Downhill: The Life Story of a Gravity Goddess”. It illuminates not only her existence as one of today’s best downhill riders, but also her life prior to that, including the cycling tour she did with Mark Fitzgerald through Europe, during which something inside her just clicked. It was about cycling, but it was also about Mark. Back in the US, Marla started working in AIDS research, but she was already riding races on the weekends. When she decided to go pro, she was already in her late twenties.

Do What You Want. But Do It!

The book’s point? Whoever decides to give everything up to follow their dream can only win. Marla is living proof of this. In 1999, she became Single-Speed World Champion. In 2003, she took the Downhill Mountain Biking title at the US National Championships. In 2004, she defended her title with ease and also won the Super-D event.
But Marla won’t be mountain biking forever. She’s already set her future course with her choice of residence: she lives with Mark on a 15-meter yacht named “Indifference.” Marla says that “Indifference doesn’t signify not caring. It’s having an open mind, so that you can change course.” A nice motto to live by. When Indifference sets sail, it will be a voyage around the world. And there will be enough opportunities to change course.