She’s Spinning Her Wheels in a New Way

CORONA DEL MAR —  She promised she would get out before others said her time was up. Determined not to hang on too long, Connie Paraskevin-Young gave up the reins. And the gears and pedals, for that matter.

Without hesitation or a moment of regret since, the world champion cyclist from Corona del Mar retired from competition after the 1996 Olympic Games. Paraskevin-Young rode off with four world championships, an Olympic medal and memories, memories, memories. But she hasn’t gone away.

Together with her husband, Roger Young, Paraskevin-Young is still keeping busy in the sport she loves. She promotes cycling through local and national corporately sponsored programs, and conducts traveling cycling clinics and slide shows of her Atlanta experience.

Paraskevin-Young isn’t quite the road warrior she used to be, but she isn’t ready for the rocking chair either. Her clinic and exhibit is scheduled tonight at 7:15 at the Irvine Performance Bicycle Shop.

“You know, I had a lot of fun,” said Paraskevin-Young, 35. “Cycling is such a wonderful sport, such a fun activity, and it’s great for health and fitness for the whole family.

“There are so many cyclists out there in California, I just want to spread the word and try to expose them to the racing end of it.”

She won’t lack for effort. Paraskevin-Young is working full time to spread the gospel of her sport to the masses as a coach and director of a regional cycling awareness and recruitment program. She has speaking engagements booked throughout the year and still racks up frequent-flyer miles.

Some retirement. “I am taking more time off than I did before,” she said. “I’m not training every day, or for 20 million hours a day like I used to train, and I’m not in great shape right now.

“But I’m not the type of person who can just sit around and not do anything. It’s also a timing thing because my husband and I have started something and we just can’t let it go. We have to keep the ball rolling to open up people’s thoughts and feelings about cycling.”

Her main tool in this battle for hearts and minds is an 18-foot trailer stocked with the latest in computerized stationary bikes and athletic testing equipment. The trailers are used to create exposure for cycling by touring the Southland and testing people’s cycling abilities.

The trailers show up at large gatherings such as fairs and athletic events. Inside are four bike stations hooked up to computers that run virtual reality software and provide individual data on riders. Everyone is welcome to jump aboard, even encouraged.

“We set up different size bikes, and they’re adjustable, so anyone can participate and get a feel for the best equipment out there,” Paraskevin-Young said. “The whole idea is to create excitement about cycling and to promote health and fitness.”

Paraskevin-Young’s husband also directs a similar program, again with corporate backing, at the national level. When computer printouts show them that someone might have what it takes to become a competitive cyclist, the couple races into action.

They have established a national farm system of sorts for promising cyclists. The farm clubs provide coaching, equipment training and help members acquire financial support to fund their racing.

Members move up the system’s ladder based on race performance and recommendations from coaches at each level. The program is in its third year and includes 30 cycling clubs nationally.

“[Cycling] is not a school sport, so it’s often hard for people to learn how to get into it,” Paraskevin-Young said. “We’re using this as a way to show people what’s out there but we’re also using it as a recruitment tool.

“We still have some fine tuning to do and there are some things that we would like to add. But the main thing is that we’re doing what we set out to do--and it’s working.”

Paraskevin-Young has gone from Olympic athlete to cycling promoter without a break.

“I don’t look at Connie as being ‘retired,’ I just look at it as her changing disciplines,” Roger Young said. “Connie was always very helpful to others when she was competing, and the same work ethic that made her successful in athletics is helping her now.”

The five-time Olympian lost the women’s repechage sprint in 1996, ending her dream of winning a gold medal. Paraskevin-Young was 18 when she made her first Olympic team as a speedskater at the 1980 Winter Games.

She stuck to skating in ‘84, then switched to cycling at Seoul in ’88 and won a bronze medal in the sprint. Although a gold medal eluded her, Paraskevin-Young said she has no desire to make one last attempt at glory.

“I had a long career and I’m happy with what I accomplished,” she said. “I accomplished almost everything I wanted to. I have an Olympic medal and world championships.

“Besides, I’m excited about other things now. I’m excited about helping other people get into this sport. That’s the role I have now and that’s the role I want.”