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.