Deirdre ("Dede") Demet Barry (born October 8, 1972 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American female cycle racer, six times U.S. champion (4 senior titles, two junior). She has won two World Cup races, two World Championship medals, and, in 2004, the silver medal in the time trial in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She is married to fellow professionial cyclist Michael Barry. They live in Girona, Spain.
Barry did not start as a cyclist. Her entry into sport was figure skating. All she wanted to do was race other youngsters to the end of the rink. Her coach suggested she take up speed skating, which she did, swayed by watching Eric and Beth Heiden in the world championships in her home town of Milwaukee. She was a member of the U.S. speedskating team from 1987 to 1991 and selected for the world championships in 1988-1991.
Having used cycling as training for skating, Barry switched completely, prompted by a cycling race series (Superweek) on streets in front of her childhood home. Other American cyclists who excelled in both sports include Eric and Beth Heiden, Chris Witty, and Erin Mirabella.
Outside the window, a great big world of gray and green
and other hues... and I can't choose
And ropes and chains, I must believe they hold me in
And I can't breath and I can't move
Outside the window, imagined misery, reality,
conformity
And if I try to face it I'd probably fall
I'd probably crawl right back inside of me
Take me to the Island Sea
There's a world outside my window pane
But I can't face the thought of rain
So let me keep it inside of me
Inside my window, I imagine I'm a man
And I am free and I am cool and I'm not me
And the needle doesn't hurt, it doesn't kill
It doesn't steal, it doesn't feel and I don't bleed
Inside my window, the desert lands and desert sands
That fall between my desert hands
Can turn to grass and waterfalls and open rooms
And summer blooms and anything
Take me to the Island Sea
There's a world outside my window pane
But I can't face the thought of rain
I'll try again some other day
But right now let me fall away