Names in the News: Jodee Novak

Life took a turn for Jodee Novak the year she turned 50.

It all started with her 25th wedding anniversary, when her husband, Ed, gifted her a tandem bicycle to mark the occasion. That same year the couple opened Tazza Cafe in Somers and Novak became interested in after becoming close with a customer whose young son was battling the disease.

Novak decided to use her 50th birthday as an excuse to get into shape and raise some money for a good cause by riding in a tandem bike event for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in Tuscon, AZ.

"I said it's now or never," Novak said. "You are either going to start eating well and are going to become fit and healthy now, or never."

A year and a half later, Novak is heading to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa this Sunday to compete in the UCI World Cycling Tour Final on Aug. 23 through 26. 

"My expectations for myself all year have basically been to finish each race," Novak said. "My goal [in South Africa] is to finish--and finish safely, and do my best. I had to learn to not judge my performances against anybody. Most women  in my age category have been doing this for a long."

Almost 52, Novak will compete in the time trial and road race in the 50-54 bracket. A resident of Yorktown, Novak is racing with Kate Marshall of White Plains on the Tarmac Cycling/Ironbridge Consulting team. A third friend, Megan Cea, races with a Danbury, CT team. 

The friends earned their places in the UCI final in May at the only US qualifying event, which was held in the Berkshires. Ironbridge Consulting owner Steve Magnus has supported Novak and Marshall and is helping bring the team to South Africa. Teammates have also offered financial support to send Novak and Marshall to the race.   

Racing is South Africa is a somewhat unexpected moment for the newbie cyclist. As a stay-at-home mom raising two children, Novak's health and personal time were a distant second to the needs of her two children, who are now adults.   

"I was so caught up with being home with the kids and volunteering at the schools that I never made the time to cycle," said Novak. Her husband, Ed, who co-owns the cafe with her, encouraged Novak to join the racing world.  

Novak decided to race in the Berkshires to have a goal over the winter and stay motivated. "I like to challenge myself," she said. She trained indoors all winter, turning her road bike into a stationary bike and inviting friends to her home to train at hill climbs and sprint workouts. Her husband served as coach. The result was earning a spot in South Africa, a place she has always wanted to visit.  

"I have stepped way way way outside the comfort zones I had for myself and my life here," said Novak. "I am putting myself into situations where I have to really work hard to feel comfortable and to say this is different and its something you’ve never done before and you can do it. I have gotten a lot more confidence. I am a little less afraid--it's just different. I was in a little sheltered before and now I’ve broken out of it."