Growing up, Lauren Dagostino was always an athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, field hockey and lacrosse. To this day, Lauren still holds the record for most basketball points scored at her high school. It wasn’t until she moved to New Jersey did she realize she had any talent in cycling.
In order to stay in shape Lauren picked up ‘jogging’ during college, and dabbled in a few marathons post college until a bicycle was gifted to her from a close friend. It was a rad bright green single speed and after enjoying cruising around the streets of Richmond VA, she decided it was time to upgrade to a road bike. With grad school completed and an abundance of new time on her hands, the natural progression from running was triathlons. During this time, a transfer for work landed her in Hoboken NJ, and order to make new friends she joined the local triathlon club. Lauren started joining group bike rides, and as the months progressed, she graduated from the slow group, to keeping up with the top male athletes. After placing 2nd in a CRCA clinic for new riders, Lauren knew instantly she was going to retire the running shoes and swim cap. She competed in cyclocross and road, quickly upgrading to a Cat 1 road cyclist in less than two year.
Height: 5’10”
December Weight: 165 lbs.
Race Weight: 159 lbs.
Birthdate: March, 09
Childhood Heroes: “Captain Planet”
Hobbies and Interests: “Being creative (sewing), staying active, baking.”
Favorite Movies: Super lame, but I don’t have one
Musical Tastes: “Huge fan of Indie/techno rock. Santigold, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Beach House, Phantogram, Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys, etc”
Favorite TV Shows: “Boardwalk Empire and Homeland (with a softness for Real Housewives Series on Bravo )”
Favorite Meal: “Turkey Burger, sweet potato and fresh veggies”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Bob’s Red Barn Muesli”
Favorite Pre-Race Meal: “Oatmeal soaked overnight with a scoop of Greek Yogurt, berries, bananas, and honey.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Anything with chocolate and peanut butter”
Childhood Dream: “To be a doctor.”
First Car: “1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, manual 5 speed.”
First Job: “Waitressing at Bob’s Grill in OCNJ”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Locally, Ocean City NJ, spent most of my summers growing up there and have a huge soft spot for the town. Honestly, there are too many places I haven’t been to find my true favorite.”
Pre-Race Feeling: “Lots of nerves, increased heart rate and most times a nauseous stomach.”
Early Racing Memory: “Winning Battenkill as a Cat 4”
Funny Racing Memory: “While shouldering my bike in a cross race, the pedal poked a hole in my skinsuit just above my butt crack, yea…lots of heckling the 2 laps of that race”
Greatest Racing Moment: “Completing the Philly Parx Race in Manayunk. I had grown up going to that race as spectator, unreal having the opportunity to ride in and finish on the lead lap. My whole family came to watch, felt like I was invincible that race.”
Most Painful Moment In Life: “Moving to VA for a job in my mid 20’s and starting my life all over again. I had never lived more than an hour away from my family.”
Worst Injury from Racing: “Hurting my collarbone after being pushed off the road into a tree while racing in Ireland”
Closest Racing Friends: “Colavita ladies (Stacey, Jenny, Lauren) and Emily”
Funniest Racer: “Stacey Barbossa, do I need to say anymore?”
Favorite Race: “Philly Parx Classic, Gastown Crit.”
Embarrassing Racing Memory: “Probably wiping out in the parking lot the first year I did Battenkill, thankful it was grass and not pavement.”
Toughest Competitors: “Too many to name! There are so many talented ladies in the Peleton.”
Favorite Athletes to Watch: “Downhill skiers, that sport is legit.”
Qualities You Most Admire in People: “Good hearts, hard working”
What You Love Most About Riding Your Bicycle: “I love that when I get on my bike, I feel that I have no cares in the world. Every day is a good day when I am on my bike.”
