Christine "Peanut" Vardaros is a vegan professional cyclist [1] [2] [3] , both vegan and professional since 2000. She began her cycling career in 1996 as a mountain biker for Team Breezer run by Joe Breeze while still living in her hometown of Manhattan. In 2008, she relocated to Mill Valley, California to pursue her goal of becoming a professional which she achieved two years later. In 2002, she transitioned from the mountain bike to the road and cyclo-cross. In 2008, Vardaros again relocated to her current residence in Everberg, Belgium. Since this relocation, she is most known as a cyclo-cross specialist.

Christine Vardaros
Christine Vardaros at Cyclo-cross Superprestige Hoogstraten
Personal information
Full nameChristine Vardaros
NicknamePeanut
Born (1969-07-19) 19 July 1969 (age 55)
New York, USA
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight57 kg (126 lb)
Team information
Current teamStevens Pro Cycling
DisciplineCyclo-cross
Mountain bike racing
Road
RoleRider
Professional teams
1996-1999Team Breezer MTB
1999-2001Jamba Juice MTB Team
2002Sally Spicer
2003-2006Velo Bella
2006Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team
2007Les Pruneaux d'Agen
2007-2008Vanderkitten
2009-2010Zannata-Champion System
2010-2013Baboco Cycling Team
2013-Stevens Pro Cycling

She represented USA Cycling at 3 World Cyclo-Cross Championships as well as over 25 Cyclo-Cross World Cups since year 2002. In addition, she has made many appearances to the podium of UCI International events, including a few wins.

Vardaros has been profiled in many magazines, newspapers and other media outlets for her cycling accomplishments as well as for her vegan diet. She has appeared in websites such as Yoga Journal,[4] Slowtwitch.com, Vivalavegan.net, Vegtomato.org (in Chinese), Roadbikereview.com, Dailypeloton.com and Greatveganathletes.com.

In addition, Vardaros is spokesperson for In Defense of Animals, The Vegan Society, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Vardaros graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University in 1991.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Sarah, Rachel. "5 Inspiring Vegan Female Athletes You’ll Enjoy Keeping Tabs On", The Vegan Woman, Portland, 16 July 2015. Retrieved on 18 July 2015.
  2. ^ Iles-Wright, Cris. "Great Vegan Athletes: Christine Vardaros, professional cyclist", Great Vegan Athletes, Ivybridge UK, April 2014. Retrieved on 18 July 2015.
  3. ^ Lee, Alan. "VegFest UK London: Talk from Christine Vardaros, professional cyclist", VegFest UK, London, September 2014. Retrieved on 18 July 2015.
  4. ^ Seligman, Rachel. "Vegan Diet for Athletes", Yoga Journal, San Francisco USA, August 2007. Retrieved on 21 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Christine Vardaros '91: Professional Cyclist". Columbia College Today. Archived from the original on 2019-09-30. Retrieved July 8, 2020.