KÜHL Bike Team Bio: Linda Lawless LaStayo

Linda Lawless LaStayo is an inaugural member of the KÜHL Women's Masters Cycling Team. What makes you a KÜHL kid? How do you live the mountain culture? Although I was not born in the mountains, they have lovingly adopted me. Mountain culture is the freedom to ski the pow pow on a lovely winter day or paddle around a reservoir in the hot summer. Of course there is the sweet bike riding of all sorts here in Salt Lake City.

What's your most memorable adventure? Meeting my adorable husband “Pookie” while climbing Mt. Rainier during the Climb for Clean Air.  It was exciting, fun, and a little scary. Oh, and there was the climbing too. If you could adventure anywhere in the world for a week or two, where would you go? I'm so fortunate to adventure in Italy for a cycling trip almost every year. I always want to go there. Who inspires you? My husband, “Pookie” Paul LaStayo. He's the most amazing person on the planet. In addition to his generally great attitude, loving and kind nature, intelligence, and wicked sense of humor, the man has 2 artificial hips and kicks ass out there. Our four incredible and unique kids are an inspiration as well. The world is truly a better place because of these five humans, and I'm so proud to be wife, mom, and step-mom to them.

What's your favorite piece of gear? My sweet Cannondale ride. It doubles as my road and cross bike. What's your worst habit? Coffee. Not only do I drink too much of it, I'm a total coffee snob. I spend entirely too much time and money in search of the perfect cuppa. What song makes you most stoked to play hard? Free Ride What’s your favorite food and drink after an adventure? Beer for sure and eating whatever I want because I just burned some major carbs! Do you have any pets? Do you take them on your adventures? Tino B. LaStayo is our enormous labradoodle extraordinaire. He goes everywhere with us, and we take special steps to ensure his comfort.  Yes we are those pet owners.

What's the worst injury you sustained from adventuring, and how did you recover? I took a slow speed fall over the handlebars of my mountain bike resulting in 'game keepers thumb." There was lots of bruising but nothing major.  Beer is my favorite recovery method. And ice. But not in my beer. What the fastest speed you’ve ever gone under your own power, assisted by gravity? Pretty darn fast for a grandma in her 50s. Descents are my favorite!! Genie gives you three wishes, and you have five minutes to decide all three. What are they?

1. World Peace
2. Freedom for All
3. A bottle of Screaming Eagle Cab – I mean how selfless should I be when I get 3 wishes?

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? To grant wishes What law(s) have you broken that resulted in a good story? What’s the story? Ha. I'm Judge Lawless's daughter. No comment. What’s your favorite piece of KÜHL clothing? How do you use it? I have many favorites, but my newest favorite is my Spyfire Parka. It will be awesome for keeping me warm after those chilly cyclocross races. What’s your favorite thing about KÜHL? That they embrace a team of Masters Women such as ourselves. We are original for sure, and I love how KÜHL supports original ideas.