Meet Wenmei: Cascade Member, STP Ambassador, and Free Group Ride Leader

The fast five with Wenmei

1. What do you enjoy about bicycling?
   I love moving at a pace that lets me explore – discovering new views, neighborhoods, and routes I’d never notice otherwise. I enjoy connecting with other cyclists, challenging myself, getting fresh air, and staying fit, all while being part of a community I really like.

2. How did you hear about Cascade?
   After doing Obliteride for years, I started looking for other organized rides during the pandemic and found Cascade through their self-supported Bike-n-Brews. I wanted to do STP and tried training on my own, but it didn’t go well. Then I joined CTS (Cascade Training Series), did my first STP, and continued riding the Free Group Rides. I’ve been hooked ever since!

3. Why did you become a member of Cascade?
   I became a member because I value what Cascade does to support cycling and build community in the region. I want to help make sure others get to enjoy those same opportunities.

4. What do you like about being a part of the Cascade community?
   There’s no one way to be a cyclist in the Cascade community. You might be chasing PRs, grinding out tough climbs for fun, or cruising a flat route for pie once a week. However you like to ride – fast, slow, long, short – there’s a group for you, on any day, in every part of the region. And the best part? People are genuinely welcoming. I usually get nervous joining group activities alone, but with Cascade, I feel totally at ease signing up for a ride, knowing I’ll be met with support and good company.

5. Anything you'd like to share about your experience with Cascade that is inspirational or motivational to potential members?
   When I first started riding with Cascade, 25 miles felt like a huge effort. I only did it once a year for Obliteride, with barely any training, and it was rough. Three years later, I’m a regular rider who’s comfortable on group rides and up for any terrain. A 40-mile ride feels pretty standard now. I train for STP (206 miles) every year – it’s my biggest physical challenge – but it’s the weekly Free Group Rides that keep me going. They’re what help me stay strong and feel healthy, mentally and physically. 

Not yet a Cascade member? Join Wenmei and over 9,500 others who help Cascade to make bicycling safer and more accessible to all!

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On the lighter side:

Most useful or favorite bike accessory?
I love gear so it’s hard to choose, but my top two are the Peak Design Out Front Mount and my TriEye cycling glasses with photochromatic lenses and a built-in mirror. The phone mount is rock-solid and easy to use one-handed, and the glasses are a game-changer for safety and visibility. The mirror helps me stay aware of what’s behind me, and the lenses adjust perfectly to the shifting light around here.

Favorite snack?
I can’t eat wheat so it can be hard to find bike snacks. I make rice krispie treats (adding a little protein powder and flaky salt) and those get me through the longest rides!

Favorite book, TV show, or movie?
I’m a voracious reader with a terrible memory so my favorites change week to week. Right now I’m on a Liz Nugent kick and I am happily making my way through her novels.