In what is sure to be a groundbreaking moment for women’s cycling, a team of six amateur women, ranging in age from 26 to 40, will take on the ultimate road cycling challenge, riding the entire 2012 Tour de France route, one day ahead of the men’s pro peloton. Starting in Liège these six women, including two mothers, will complete the entire 2,162 miles of the 2012 Tour de France and will arrive in Paris on the 21st of July.

These women have been training for months and even met in Portland in April and Santa Rosa in May for team training camps.

Photo Credit: HardCastle Photography
Kristen (left) and Kate together in Boulder

Why are they doing this? In part to prove to themselves, other female cyclists, and women thinking about taking up the sport, that any bicycle dream is possible. They also hope to raise $60,000 for Bikes Belong, a non-profit cycling advocacy organization dedicated to putting more people on bikes more often.

The Reve team also has a Colorado connection. Two of its member are from the 303 area.

Kristen Peterson describes herself as a Pro Triathlete, Molecular Biologist and Bike Nerd. By day, she works at the University of Colorado in a microbiology lab. In college Kristen was a division I swimmer. After her triathlon career, Kristen plans to return to school for a PhD in order to become a Genetics Professor. Kristen recently wrote about her thoughts leading up to the big ride on her website:

Ok, I am. I confess, I’m really freaking excited to get this Reve show on the road. The work has been done, the legs have been trained, the brain has been prepared. Now let’s do this shit.

Kate Powlison aka “Muddy Legs” is a Research Analyst and Communications Co-ordinator for Bikes Belong in Boulder and is also an accomplished elite racer. Kate has a passion for cycling and loves to promote bicycles as an agent of change in America. Kate recently planned and completed the 500-mile Tim Johnson Ride on Washington as a warm up for the 2,162 miles of the Tour de France in July.

Kate was recently interviewed by
Girl Bike Love about her upcoming ride:

“That’s the thing, we are ordinary women” she started. “When they first said ‘ok’ to me joining the team, I wanted to say no… because of the stress of training, being off of work and away from home.”
“But my grandma and my mom… they don’t ride bikes and they are so excited. From their reaction I realized I could inspire the mainstream. To see their faces light up…” she turned her eyes up and shook her head...

Read more about the Reve Team.