KS Kenda Women - Nikki Peterson, Emma Maaranen, Jen Malik, Alli Mrugal
• CYCLING TEAM •
LOCATION: Idyllwild, CA
INSTAGRAM: @ks_kenda_women, @allimrugal, @jenemal, @emmamaaranen, @nikki_jo_peterson
FAVORITE GU PRODUCT: ROCTANE Protein Recovery Drink Mix
FAVORITE ENERGY GEL FLAVOR
Alli- Salted Caramel Emma- Toasted Marshmallow Jen- Salted Watermelon Nikki- French Toast
FAVORITE NUTRITION HACK
We all have our own tips and tricks and the great thing about having a team is that we can share them with each other and on our social media! We talk about training nutrition, during-the-race tricks, and more! One of our favorite nutrition topics to discuss is recipes for delicious recovery drinks. We mostly use plant protein milk to get extra protein with a nice, thick texture. Emma and Nikki prefer the ROCTANE Protein Recovery Vanilla powder while Alli and Jen prefer the ROCTANE Protein Recovery Chocolate powder. We often add seasonal ingredients and heat or ice the beverage, depending on the weather.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO COMPETE? WHAT'S YOUR WHY?
We work full-time and race on the Professional level. Prior to creating our team, each of us was primarily on a Privateer program where we trained and traveled alone. Now that we have teammates, we plan team training camps, travel and race together, and share many memories together. We are motivated to show women that it is possible to work, train, and race and be successful in each of those areas! Though we each have intrinsic motivators, as a whole this is our team mission and what motivates us to race!
WHAT'S YOUR GU MOMENT?
At team camp in San Diego last year we planned a fun, epic ride. After a grueling climb that included a good bit of hike-a-biking, we finally started the long, rowdy descent. It lasted about 20 seconds before Nikki sent it into a razor-sharp rock. The gash was unfixable and a pinky finger could fit into the slit. After many efforts including trying a vehicle tire plug (yes, a friend gave it to us several days before), Nikki downing a gel to use as a boot (good thing we got that one on video), inserting several bacon plugs, and going through way too many CO2 cartridges, it was determined that Emma and Jen would continue riding down the rad descent while Nikki hiked out in carbon-clad shoes. Luckily, between the emergency gel, a bottle full of ROCTANE Energy Drink Mix (Lemon Berry), and a great Spotify list, Nikki did not bonk! Thank you, GU!