I am writing you as a Cowgirl cyclist, Wyomingite, and now an international professional athlete. Recently, I have taken an opportunity to proudly represent Wyoming next summer by accepting a contract to ride for Team Rapha/Lifeforce of Great Britain, an international professional cycling team. Next summer I will move to Belgium, where I will race several tours in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and other regions of Europe. I will compete for four months and enjoy an experience of a lifetime before returning to the States in September.
In order for this dream to be realized, I am asking for sponsors to lend their support. I will need to raise about $5,000 to cover my travel to/from Europe and food/rent while I’m there. The team will cover many of my expenses, including race fees, travel, and equipment, but airfare to and from Europe, living expenses, and food must be covered out of my pocket.
You may be wondering who, exactly, I am. Currently, I am a 22-year-old senior, attending the University of Wyoming. I will graduate in May 2008 with a major in art and minor in sociology. I have recently become interested in speech language pathology, so my focus currently is in the health sciences, and I have completed my undergraduate prerequisite courses for a future master’s degree in this area.
I was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming, by wonderful parents, Cathy and Patrick Doherty. In high school, I was a varsity cross-country and track runner, and I turned to cycling my senior year. For the past four years, I have raced for the University of Wyoming Cycling Club, striving to reach my fullest potential. Last season I was individually ranked second overall in the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference, which includes Colorado State University, Colorado University, and the national champion time-trial team, Fort Lewis College. I was the only Cowgirl who represented the University of Wyoming and was competitive against teams of five or more women.
This past summer, I found community sponsorship from Mona Gamboa of Happy Jack Software, the Laramie Bicycling Network, and friends and family to attend the U.S. Under 23 National Championships, held in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. I was seventh in the time trial, sixth in the criterium, and thirteenth in the road race. During the road race, we were combined with the Elite Women, which included the reigning World Champion time-trialer, Kristen Armstrong. These experiences have exposed me to the many facets of cycling and inspired me to race at the highest level and pursue a dream of a professional cyclist.
Any support you may be able to offer me would be greatly appreciated. I would not have been able to attend the U23 National Championships without the support of many wonderful people, and I promise that I will inspire and make the people of Wyoming proud!
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely, Melissa Doherty
Send your support to:
Laramie BikeNet
Attn: Melissa Doherty Racing Fund
P.O Box 2334
Laramie, WY 82073
