Lyne Bessette on life after competitive cycling
The former olympian and Canadian national champion talks about her life now, and then Lyne Bessette turned down the offer of a cup of coffee at local hang out Atomic Café because “I don’t drink coffee this late in the afternoon,” but the pound bag of beans from the café she is carrying indicates her preference for what she calls "my favorite coffee shop in the world." Bessette is happy to talk about what she’s doing on the north shore of Massachusetts and her life outside of top flight competitive cycling. ”I’ve lived here for two and a half years, with Tim Johnson (Ouch presented by Maxis and 2008 US Gran Prix of Cyclocross champion), largely because of the cross season. I just got my green card.” 
Bessette in 2002 at the Women’s Challenge Race Bessette grew up in the rolling farmlands of southwestern Quebec, near the Vermont border. “I was a runner for 11 years. Then a downhill skier,” but what drew her into cycling was “I think the winning. When I stopped running, I needed to find something. I had friends with a bike shop and I borrowed a bike and rode with a lot of older guys. I was 21. I had my first race that fall. They encouraged me to try. I finished third in the TT and seventh on the road. I was dropped on the climb.“But then I was recruited by the provincial team.” Doesn’t that quick ascension to provincial level indicate perhaps a dearth of talent? “Yes. At the time there were no women there. But we are definitely improving. Because of me and people who are building teams, girls now have role models. ”I used to spend the winters in Quebec, hiking, riding indoors. It’s a commitment if you want to be ready for March. In 1998 I stayed at home and showed up at Saturn’s training camp way out of shape.” It was her first year with the pro team and, she says of that pre-season, “it wasn’t what I was expecting. Or what they were expecting. ”Saturn was the best team to learn with. There was so much structure and experience. I was young and didn’t know what the hell I was doing. Everything was new.” "It’s possible to be a professional bike rider and smart.” Success followed success and in 2000 Bessette was on the Canadian Olympic team in Sydney, an experience marred by the death of Saturn team mate Nicole Reinhart during a 42-mile circuit race in Arlington, Massachusetts. She was thrown from her bicycle and struck a tree. Initially, the news didn’t change the way Bessette approached racing, but she says for all riders that at some stage “you realize you aren’t willing to take a risk anymore. It happened to me in 2006. I didn’t want to break any bones. I quit in May.” It has been an unusual retirement. She raced the Tour de Toona in 2007 “to help the young Quebec team,” and she continues to be active on the cyclocross circuit at races of her choice. At the moment, she’s training for an ironman, which she likes because “you’re on your own. I’m able to race now when I want. I did the crit here in Beverly and the one in Salem. I’m not willing to commit in that last corner. There’s always someone who is.” She rides when she wants for October hand made bikes and if the cause suits her. At the end of September she’ll be in Boston for the $20,000 TD Bank Mayor’s Cup criterium because fellow Sydney olympian Nicole Freedman “is a great ambassador for cycling. It’s going to be a great show. I’m expecting some good girls. Maybe Tina Pic, a couple of national champions.” She shrugs, “they can use my name to help the event. I’ll have done a ½-ironman the week before. The competitive level is much higher than it was, and I never raced a lot at the crits that had a lot of money. I prefer the longer distances.” What advice does she have for younger riders now she's just finished her USA Cycling level 3 coaching certification? “Finish school, at least stay in touch with school. Connect with a club. It’s possible to be a professional bike rider and smart.”
Bessette off the bike today
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