Scheduling life around her passion

High school freshman Colleen Cross, 14, is trading in a backpack for a bicycle.

The Costa Mesa resident and amateur cyclist is completing high school through an online independent study program called Insight. The program allows her to tailor studies around a rigid bicycling schedule that includes daily workouts and cross-country competitions.

Colleen is an active member of the Team Sho-Air and competes in junior cycling competitions throughout the year. She holds the title of Junior State Champion on the bicycle.

Balancing school with competition is not as hard as it seems, Colleen said.

An average day for Colleen starts about 6 a.m. with a 20- to 50-mile cross-country bike ride with her family. Her parents race in masters-level events, while Colleen and her two younger siblings compete in junior races.

“My parents met biking 20 years ago, and it’s just been a family thing ever since,” Colleen said.

After the morning ride, it’s time to hit the books.

“Well, more like the computer,” Colleen corrected herself, laughing.

She is enrolled in honors English, French, honors Earth science, honors geometry, health and physical education.

All school work is done via the Internet, under the direction of Insight Schools, an online institution that boasts a national network of accredited, diploma-granting, tuition-free high schools.

“With the online school, there is not the social distraction you get in schools. It’s all about the work. It shortens a 10-hour school day to three to four hours,” said Colleen, who had been home-schooled by her mother before enrolling in the Insight program.

The shortened schedule is especially important for Colleen, who heads to the Los Angeles Velodrome for an evening practice, which is usually three times a week and lasts from 5 to 9 p.m.

After practice, it’s a quick dinner, then off to bed.

“Colleen is a very dedicated athlete. She is a very dedicated student, as well,” said her coach, Tim Roach. “Online schooling is mostly self-motivating. It’s very easy to become distracted, but she doesn’t do that.”

Colleen hopes that the schedule will pay off in the long run. She would like to become a pro cyclist.

“There are not a lot of women in the sport; we’re working hard to make a place,” said Colleen’s mother, Julia Cross. Colleen hopes to be a part of this change.

“I intend to go to college,” said Colleen, who is considering veterinary or medical studies. For now, those degrees are a secondary plan.

“I want to take biking as far as I can go and do as much as possible,” she added.

While her schedule is grueling, Colleen is grateful for the unique opportunities it provides. In September, the Crosses spent a day in San Diego teaching wounded soldiers cycling.

“I taught hand cycles and regular bicycles. I even taught a blind man to ride tandem. Just the look on his face,” Colleen said. “He couldn‘t believe he could have so much fun!”

Even with her schedule, Colleen manages to have some fun herself.

“Being able to get out there and bike at the crack of dawn and see how beautiful Orange County is, it makes it all worth it,” she said.