Gearing Up for 2017 Racing

Hello! My name is Anissa Cobb, but I am better known by my nickname "Nissy". I am an American Track Cyclist and sprinting is my specialty. I am originally from Portland, Oregon, but I lived in California for the last three years to take advantage of training at the Olympic Level Velodrome in Carson. I recently relocated to Seattle, Washington for better and more challenging training opportunities.

My 2016 season of racing was my best yet. Thanks to the support I received, I was able to travel to and compete in all of the National Track Calendar races on my wish list. Attending all of those races helped me to improve in my discipline and achieve most of my goals for the season.  I am ready to achieve even more in the 2017 season.

Cycling Dream

My goal every season is to compete at the Elite Track National Championships and beyond. To prepare for Nationals, it is important for me to compete at many of the UCI and Grand Prix races across the nation leading up to the big event.

My Story

I began racing bikes in Portland, Oregon when I was 12 years old through an after school program at a youth center. In the beginning I didn’t take the sport seriously, but I enjoyed riding with my friends after school and on the weekends.

I started out on the road, competing in many different road time trial events as well as criterium events. During my second season, I was introduced to the Alpenrose Velodrome. I still remember my first day there; the moment I saw the track I knew it was where I belonged. It was love at first sight! Grabbing whatever bike was handed to me without any fear, I jumped on the track immediately accelerating up to the rail in the first turn of that 43 degree bank. I never wanted to get off. In a way, it was therapeutic. Nothing else mattered. I was able to forget anything I was struggling with in my life and just ride.

After about 2 years of dabbling in different racing disciplines, I was able to go out to the Junior Road National Championships. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot. In later years, I went on to win multiple state championship titles for track, road, crit and time trial events. I eventually got very involved with cyclocross and dominated in my junior category.

Then came a life changing experience that completely shattered me. In 2003, during spring break of my first year in high school my house caught fire while my sister and I were out. My mom was found lifeless inside. By the time we got home the fire department had already shown up and put out the fire, but it was too late. We literally lost everything. That year, and every year since, I have dedicated all of my races to the memory of my mom.

After the fire, my sister and I bounced around a lot from home to home; from our father's house to our Grandma's, then to my childhood best friend's house where I stayed. My sister eventually ended up living with a former mentor from our junior racing team to get help with managing her diabetes. My sister and I spent a lot of time together in and out of school even though we were split up. We received some help with managing the trauma of our mother's death by attending weekly group therapy sessions at the Dougy Center in SE Portland, OR. My new family was and continues to be extremely supportive of my training and racing. Though we don't share the same blood, they are my family always and forever. 

I continued to race up until my last year of high school. After graduating I took a break from riding and racing and decided to focus on school instead. I enrolled at a community college and after a year of studies, I realized I needed an outlet to help me cope with the trauma I had experienced. In the end, I recognized cycling had done that for me. After a little over a year, I decided it was time to start racing again.

In 2011, a few years after getting back into the sport, I began to struggle with my health. I was diagnosed with the disorder Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) that forced me to discontinue my training and racing. Luckily, with the support of some incredible naturopathic doctors at Elixia Wellness Center and Glow Health Care, especially Dr. Brad Farra, I was able get back into shape enough to compete in the 2012 Elite Track National Championships.

My health is now on track, and I am fully committed to this sport. Three years ago was my first full year back to training and racing since my diagnosis. I feel healthier and stronger than ever.

Racing is what makes me happy and makes me feel whole. Since my return to racing, I have been fighting my way to the top. I continue along in this sport for myself, because it is my passion and the key to my wellbeing. I feel that it is what my mom would want for me and what would make her most proud. She was my biggest supporter and I feel her with me, guiding me through this journey to be the best.

Outside of racing, I am very interested in helping build communities through cycling and creating access to jobs and other opportunities. I worked for the Community Cycling Center (CCC), a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon for 5 years. Through that organization, I developed a strong desire to use the bicycle as a tool for change, something the CCC is well known for. Someday, I hope to run my own bike shop similar to the CCC with the same end goal of building healthier communities using the bicycle as a tool to do so.

My Accomplishments

UCI:

  • 02/25/2017 - Western Challenge, Sprint, Burnaby/BC/Canada, 2nd Place
  • 02/24/2017 - Western Challenge, Keirin, Burnaby/BC/Canada, 1st Place
  • 02/24/2017 - Western Challenge, Scratch Race, Burnaby/BC/Canada, 4th Place
  • 02/24/2017 - Western Challenge, Elimination, Burnaby/BC/Canada, 1st Place
  • 02/24/2017 - Western Challenge, Points Race, Burnaby/BC/Canada, 5th Place
  • 10/01/2016 - Milton International Challenge, Keirin, Milton/Ontario/Canada, 4th Place
  • 09/29/2016 - Milton International Challenge, 500TT, Milton/Ontario/Canada, 5th Place
  • 03/18-19/2016 - World Cycling League, TeamTrak, Carson/CA/USA, Team Overall 4th Place
  • 07/25/2015 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Keirin, Seattle/WA/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/24/2015 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Match Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 3rd Place
  • 07/11/2015 - U.S. Vic Williams Memorial Grand Prix, Keirin, Colorado Springs, CO, 3rd Place
  • 07/10/2015 - U.S. Vic Williams Memorial Grand Prix, 500m Time Trial, Colorado Springs, CO, 5th Place, 36.7
  • 01/09/2015 – Milton International Challenge, Team Sprint, Milton/Ontario/Canada, 3rd Place, 36.609
  • 07/11/2014 - Grand Prix of Colorado Springs, Team Sprint, Colorado Springs/CO/USA, 5th Place, 50.246
  • 11/23/2013 - Los Angeles Grand Prix, Team Sprint, Carson/CA/USA, 3rd Place, 36.341

National:

  • 08/21/2016 - Elite State Championships, Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place
  • 08/20/2016 - Elite State Championships, Keirin, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place
  • 08/20/2016 - Elite State Championships, 500TT, Seattle/WA/USA, 2nd Place
  • 08/19/2016 - Elite State Championships, Miss&Out, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place
  • 07/27/2016 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Team Sprint, Trexlertown/PA/USA, 2nd Place, 48.542
  • 07/27/2016 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, 500m Time Trial, Trexlertown/PA/USA, 2nd Place, 37.14
  • 07/26/2016 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Match Sprint, Trexlertown/PA/USA, 4th Place
  • 07/16/2016 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Keirin, Seattle/WA/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/16/2016 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Scratch Race, Seattle/WA/USA, 3rd Place
  • 07/15/2016 - Marymoor Grand Prix, 500TT, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place
  • 07/15/2016 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 2nd Place
  • 08/10/2015 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Keirin, Carson/CA/USA, 4th Place
  • 08/08/2015 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Match Sprint, Carson/CA/USA, 5th Place
  • 08/07/2015 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Team Sprint, Carson/CA/USA, 2nd Place, 35.725
  • 08/06/2015 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, 500mTime Trial, Carson/CA/USA, 5th Place, 36.84
  • 08/17/2014 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Team Sprint, Rock Hill/SC/USA, 3rd Place, 37.081
  • 08/13/2014 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, 500 Meter Time Trial, Rock Hill/SC/USA, 5th Place, 37.82
  • 07/26/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Sprint Omnium, Seattle/WA/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/26/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Keirin, Seattle/WA/USA, 4th Place
  • 07/25/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, 500 Meter Time Trial, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place, 37.88
  • 07/25/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Team Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 1st Place, 01:00.7
  • 07/25/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Match Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 3rd Place
  • 07/25/2014 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Flying 200 Meter Time Trial, Seattle/WA/USA, 5th Place, 12.99
  • 08/24/2013 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Keirin, Rock Hill/SC/USA, 4th Place
  • 08/24/2013 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Madison, Rock Hill/SC/USA, 5th Place
  • 08/11/2013 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Team Sprint, Carson/CA/USA, 4th Place, 36.97
  • 07/20/2013 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Madison, Seattle/WA/USA, 3rd Place
  • 07/20/2013 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Team Pursuit, Seattle/WA/USA, 4th Place, 5:33.7
  • 07/20/2013 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Team Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 5th Place, 1:03.5
  • 07/20/2013 - Marymoor Grand Prix, 500 Meter Time Trial, Seattle/WA/USA, 5th Place, 38.76
  • 07/20/2013 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Match Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 5th Place
  • 09/30/2012 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Team Sprint, Carson/CA/USA, 4th Place, 38.40
  • 09/27/2012 - USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, 500 Meter Time Trial, Carson/CA/USA, 4th Place, 37.33
  • 07/21/2012 - Marymoor Grand Prix, Team Sprint, Seattle/WA/USA, 4th Place, 1:02.5
  • 07/21/2012 - Marymoor Grand Prix, 500 Meter Time Trial, Seattle/WA/USA, 5th Place, 39.17

Local:

  • 07/18/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, 500m Time Trial, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place, 38.39
  • 07/19/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Miss & Out, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place
  • 07/19/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Match Sprint, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place
  • 07/19/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Team Sprint, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place, 41.60
  • 07/20/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Keirin, Portland/OR/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/20/2014 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Points Race, Portland/OR/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/14/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, 500m Time Trial, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place, 38.39
  • 07/20/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Keirin, Portland/OR/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/14/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Points Race, Portland/OR/USA, 3rd Place
  • 07/13/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Miss & Out, Portland/OR/USA, 2nd Place
  • 07/13/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Team Sprint, Portland/OR/USA, 1st Place, 41.39
  • 07/12/2013 - Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, Match Sprint, Portland/OR/USA, 2nd Place

Unsanctioned/Recreational/Underground:


09/11/2016 - Bone Machine, Fixed Gear Crit, Portland,OR, 2nd Place

05/07/2016 - Wolfpack Hustle Short Line Crit, Long Beach,CA, 3rd Place

2015 - Red Hook, Criterium, Milan, Italy, Women's Team 1st Place Overall Standing

2015 - Wolfpack Hustle Civic Center Crit, Fixed Crit, Los Angeles,CA, 3rd PlaceA, 3rd Place

2014 - Wolfpack Hustle HP Grand Prix, Fixed Drag Race, Los Angeles,CA, 1st Place

2014 - Wolfpack Hustle Shortline Crit, Fixed Crit, Long Beach,CA, 2nd Place

2014 - Wolfpack Hustle Shortli Crit, Road Crit, Long Beach,CA, 2nd Place

2013 - Wolfpack Hustle HP Grand Prix, Fixed Drag Race, Los Angeles,CA, 1st Place


My 2017 Race WISH LIST

US UCI Track Races:

June 9 - U.S Sprint Grand Prix - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

June 10 - Red Robin All-Stars  - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

June 16 - Fastest Man on Wheels - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

June 23 - Festival of Speed -  Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

June 30 - Keirin Cup XXXI - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa. 

July 7 - 11th Annual Golden Wheel Race - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

July 28 - Keirin Revenge/U.S. 10 Mile Championship - Valley Preferred Cycling Center; Trexlertown, Pa.

July 21-22 - Marymoor Grand Prix - Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome; Redmond, Wa.


National Championships:

July 31-Aug.6 - USA Cycling Elite & Junior Track National Championships - Carson, CA.

International Competition:

TBA - Milton International Challenge - Milton, ON, CAN

Local Competition:

July 14-16 - Cascadia Cup - Alpenrose Velodrome; Portland, OR

July 21-22 - Marymoor Grand Prix - Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome; Redmond, WA

August 25-27 - Fred's Race/Regional Championships - Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome; Redmond, WA

Unsanctioned/Recreational/Underground:

April 29 - Red Hook Crit Brooklyn No.9 - Brooklyn, NY 

August 27 - Red Hook Crit Barcelona No.4 - Barcelona, Spain

October 8 - Red Hook Crit Milano No.7 - Milano, Italy

Ways to Help

Please see the support section for ways you can help. Reach out to your community if you think they might be interested in supporting an athlete like me. Share my story with friends, family, and follow me on:

Facebook: Nissy Cobb

Twitter: @AnissaCobb

Instagram: @NissyCobb

Email: nissy.cobb@yahoo.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anissa-"nissy"-cobb-415536105


Thank you!

Interested in helping me reach my goals? Donate below!