Who am I?
Hi, I’m Lillie Rumpf, and I’m that girl who shows up to big cycling events in costume. Why? Because it’s fun! I’ve been wearing the Heidi dress, icon of the Swiss Alps, for more than 10 years; and the joy it brings to people at events has only increased in time. I’ll keep wearing the dress as long as I continue to inspire laughs and joy.
The sport of cycling is booming, and as a result there are many “beginners” to the world of road cycling. And how do we, as adults, learn how to ride our amazing, fast and fun new toys? Well, frankly, we don’t. We think, “oh, I’ve been riding a bike since I was a kid, I’ve got this!” Or “my friend/partner will teach me the basics”, then we watch them leave us behind, frustrated, because we can’t keep up or do the thing that they can do. We sometimes learn, the hard way, that there is a lot more to road cycling than just jumping on the saddle and pedalling. Just because we are super fit and trained in another endurance sport does not make us automatically good cyclists.
My mission is to take you on more than just a grand tour of the Swiss alps, or for a simple skill clinic in the park. I will take you on a journey of self-discovery, on a quest to push limits and break bad habits, and I will provide you with the tools that will help you master road cycling.
Your guide for happy cycling.
My rides aren’t just about cycling: they’re a combination of adventure, a way to connect with nature, a moment to surpass silly preconceived barriers, to share unforgettable moments, and, let’s be honest, a healthy dose of “burgers and beer” (or whatever delicacy makes you happy!). So if you’re more interested in ice cream stops than counting watts, if adventure appeals to you but you need a little boost, or if you’re simply looking to feel more comfortable on your bike, then you’ve come to the right place.
How I became Cycling Heidi
When I arrived in French-speaking Switzerland from my native Southern California in 2008, I was hit with a culture shock. Let’s just say that the Swiss weren’t kidding about sport. In fact, they are seriously serious about sport. A bit too serious in my opinion. I thought that this attitude was not the best way to encourage beginners to take up cycling (or any sport for that matter). And certainly not the best way for me, a young female cyclist, to find an inviting group to ride with.
So I decided to create my own group and bring a little Californian sunshine and fun. I began by guiding The Bike’s “social” outings in Lausanne for several seasons, and I loved it! I met many new cyclists and watched them discover the pleasure of cycling, make progress and, above all, have fun.
Then one day, during a beer-filled discussion with some friends, we contemplated new and fun ways to challenge ourselves on the bike. The year prior my girlfriends Heather and Kate rode the Cyclotour du Léman on a tandem, both dressed in Heidi. So how do you top that? Well, how about a bicycle built for 3? That sounds insane, I’m in! So on a cold, rainy, and finally sunny day in late spring, we managed the 180km tour around Lake Geneva on a rented triple tandem. It wasn’t even a road bike and we nearly died trying to climb the hill from Thonon! In the end it was one of the most impressionable moments of my life, watching the joy and amazement all around us at such a crazy sight. I decided that day that I only ever wanted to do big races in the dress. And the rest is history…
An epic day on the bike for the Cycling Heidis
Heather (my bestie and trusted driver in blue), me in the middle (responsible for yelling at people to get out of the way, like the post bus we stop for no one), and Kate (responsible for making sure we are in the right gear anytime we need to go uphill on a bike not designed for riding 180km, or hills). If it wasn’t for these two ladies, Cycling Heidi wouldn’t exist. So thank you Kate and Heather!
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