One-Of-A-Kind Ride: Julie Dibens' Trek Speed Concept

An exclusive look at Julie Dibens’ freshly painted bike.

As a Trek athlete, 2009 70.3 world champion Julie Dibens got the “royal” treatment on the latest design update to her Speed Concept 9 Series. Working with Stacey Carnell, the women’s product graphic designer at Trek, the duo collaborated on a theme that showcases both Dibens’ British heritage and status as one of the queens of triathlon. “Every time I work with her it’s really fun because we come up with a crazy theme that we’re inspired by,” Carnell says.

The rear triangle says “Dream Crusher,” one of Dibens’ new favorite phrases. “I think most people will think it means I am out there to crush other peoples’ dreams, but I actually mean it as a reminder that I still have aspirations in triathlon, and I won’t let my latest injuries crush my own dreams,” Dibens says. Her matching Louis Garneau kit includes arm warmers with the phrase also written on the inside.

Carnell wanted to use the emblem from Dibens’ hometown of Salisbury, England. “I’m a proud Brit and wanted to keep a British theme,” Dibens says. “I’ve used the union flag in the past, but we thought the Union Jack would clash a bit.”

Stemming off a “Queen of Tri” theme, they chose to paint the frame mostly purple, the color of royalty.’’ A sword replaces the “I” in Dibens and slices through the J and D initials. “I thought it looked kinda badass and tough,” Carnell says.

A sword replaces the “I” in Dibens and slices through the J and D initials. “I thought it looked kinda badass and tough,” Carnell says.

When will it debut?

Although surgeries in early 2012 have sidelined her from running, Dibens is back biking and swimming and hopes to race soon. “I’m a very goal-oriented person and as soon as I set that goal I will push hard to achieve it—at times too hard,” she says. “I’m practicing the art of patience at the moment.”

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