Connie’s immediate family tree could also be a chapter in cycling history. Her husband is the legendary former professional road cyclist and Olympic medalist Davis Phinney, and her son is Taylor Phinney, a retired professional road racing cyclist who competed between 2009 and 2020.
Plus, her daughter-in-law is none other than one of our Škoda We Love Cycling experts and the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift winner, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney.
Besides cycling, a great part of Connie’s life, which she also touches upon with Matt, revolves around the Davis Phinney Foundation, supporting individuals and families through life with Parkinson’s disease. It was founded by her husband in 2004 after Davis was diagnosed at age 40, as a way to fund and advance research that demonstrates the benefits of exercise, speech therapy, and other behavioural elements that are critical to living well with Parkinson’s. Connie now acts as the foundation’s Board Chair and key personality.
This episode includes many wonderful observations and stories from decades spent in professional cycling, such as how great cycling is for your brain and body in later years when you have time to stop and soak up the scenery, how you go about writing a memoir about a notable life and recognizing the pioneers of women’s sports, how her mother launched fireworks in the backyard when Connie won that 1984 Olympic gold, what changes have transpired between Connie’s and Kasia’s careers, and much more. And, delightfully enough, you’ll also hear one anecdote about a goldfish named Taylor Phinney.
Take a break, brew a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy!
