Denise Mueller-Korenek
Other racing // California, USA
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Denise Mueller-Korenek shattered cycling’s ultimate barrier in 2018, becoming the first woman to claim the overall paced bicycle land speed record at 183.931 mph after dominating with 13 national titles.
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First, you have to make a goal and never let yourself lose faith that you can do it, no matter what negativity gets thrown at you…Everything in life gives you something to build upon.
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FULL BIO: Denise Mueller-Korenek
Denise Mueller-Korenek holds the distinction of being the fastest cyclist on earth, becoming the first and only woman to claim the overall paced bicycle land speed record when she reached 183.931 mph in 2018.
EARLY YEARS
Born around 1973 in California to parents who practically defined the term “daredevil,” Denise Mueller-Korenek inherited a DNA cocktail that made normal seem foreign. Her father, Myron Mueller, was an ultra-distance cyclist who holds a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to bicycle the perimeter of the contiguous United States—all 12,000 miles of it. Her mother, Anna Dement, raced midget demolition-derby cars because apparently someone in the family needed to balance out all that pedaling with some serious metal-on-metal action. Growing up in this environment, where “crazy is our sort of normal,” Denise graduated from San Dieguito High School in Encinitas before discovering that her family’s definition of normal would shape her entire career trajectory.
OTHER INTERESTS
During her initial retirement from competitive cycling, Denise entered the family security business, RSF Security, proving that even speed demons need to pay the bills. Beyond that brief foray into the corporate world, she’s maintained a laser focus on anything involving wheels and velocity, recently expanding her racing repertoire to include the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series—because apparently bicycles at 184 mph weren’t quite thrilling enough.
EARLY SUCCESS
At 14, Denise took up bike racing in 1987 under the guidance of elite cyclist John Howard and coach Doreen Williams. Her prodigious talent was immediately apparent, and she dominated junior racing with a versatility that would make any coach weep with joy. By 18, she was featured in an instructional videotape alongside Howard that won film and TV awards. Her early career was a masterclass in cycling excellence, racking up 13 national championships and earning two world championship podium finishes. But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn—at just 19, she walked away from competitive racing entirely. The emotional toll of internalizing every win and loss became too much, and as one observer noted, “she realized that if she won, others had to lose, and that was maybe too much.” It would take years before the need for speed would call her back to the starting line.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1987-1992: Won 13 national championships and achieved 2 world championship podium finishes during early competitive cycling career.
- 2016: Set women’s paced bicycle land speed record at 147.7 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
- 2018: Broke the overall paced bicycle land speed record, reaching 183.931 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats on September 16, becoming the first woman to hold this record.
INSPIRATIONS
Denise’s driving force comes from an inner mantra she describes simply as “To Be Fastest.” Her father Myron and mentor John Howard provided the foundational influence that shaped her approach to extreme cycling. Setting the first-ever women’s land speed record was, in her words, “like a match being thrown on gasoline”—igniting a passion that couldn’t be contained by gender barriers or conventional limitations. Her philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: “First, you have to make a goal and never let yourself lose faith that you can do it, no matter what negativity gets thrown at you…Everything in life gives you something to build upon.”
REPUTATION
In the world of extreme cycling, Denise is regarded as nothing short of legendary. Media coverage consistently emphasizes her exceptional skill in aerodynamic drafting, precision timing, and physical endurance at speeds that would make most mortals question their life choices. Her mentor John Howard and vehicle driver Shea Holbrook have both publicly endorsed her abilities and laser-sharp focus. The technical precision required for her record-breaking attempts—riding a custom-built carbon KHS bike equipped with a tire originally designed for dragster scooters—showcases a level of expertise that few athletes in any sport can match. She’s not just breaking records; she’s obliterating the notion that there are gender-specific limits to human-powered speed.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Currently competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, Denise shows no signs of slowing down her pursuit of speed across multiple disciplines. Her stated ambition remains unchanged: to continuously raise performance boundaries and maintain her status as the fastest cyclist on earth. While specific 2025 race schedules aren’t publicly available, her track record suggests she’ll continue pushing the envelope wherever four wheels or two can take her.
References:
ESPN Article
Wikipedia Entry
Outside Magazine Feature
Bicycling Magazine Technical Analysis
Project Speed Profile
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