Living life beyond the race with pro cyclist, Alison Tetrick

It’s time to head off the beaten path with a little wider tires and a little lower pressure.

Alison Tetrick bikepacking the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan—her account of this trip of a lifetime is a must read on her blog at AlisonTetrick.com

What one has to love about a conversation with Alison Tetrick, is that you know you’ll cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time. Just like she does on a daily basis—whether it’s on her bike, working as a “free-range entrepreneur,” raising money for NICA, or attempting to organize her closet. She doesn’t stop moving, and nine times out of ten her contagious laugh comes along with whatever she’s doing.

When asked how she prioritizes everything she’s juggling, she readily admits that it doesn’t always look pretty. Chaos and spinning plates in the air and balancing responsibilities between being a professional athlete, an entrepreneur, a biochemist, a gifted writer, an online television host, a daughter, a sister, and a kickass girlfriend—for starters.

"The queen might be considered the most powerful piece because she can control a large number of squares at a single point of time." (Quora)

“The bike helps,” she said. Specifically the training structure provided by her coach, Adam Pulford at Carmichael Training Systems. “I’m more efficient the more I have to do. It’s in the off weeks that I tend to be kind of a laser-focused pinball,” she laughed. Yet when chatting with Alison, there was what I would call an endearing calm in what she may describe as chaos, which I gather comes from a relatively recent shift in how she exists and continues to map her journey as one of the strongest cyclists in the world.

Finding balance is something her grandfather would give good advice about—that, and not taking for granted what she could do. A national champion cyclist himself into his late-eighties, he instilled in Alison a drive and a willingness to keep learning. She loved making her Grampy laugh and spoke of his insatiable curiosity, his uncanny ability to remember everything, and how his being a hard nut to crack and her love for a challenge fueled their remarkable friendship, love, and support for one another.

Alison and her Grampy—himself a national cycling champion into his late-eighties.

After eight years racing internationally on the road, Alison made her move to the gravel scene in 2017. She was soon crowned the “Queen of Gravel” during her three-year winning streak as the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Gravel World Champion, and her step onto the top of the podium at the then named DK200 (now UNBOUND Gravel), where she holds the women’s course record to this day.

Along came 2020, where this stranger than fiction year provided an opportunity for a reset, a time to find and give grace, a time when there maybe weren’t big goals to go after but instead there were little things to accept and appreciate along the way. A time to create, innovate, slow down, and feel fortunate to have a good spot to call home and a chance to look at how to do things differently and perhaps even how to “be” differently.

Having been defined as a professional cyclist for more than a decade, there are the goals and the competition and the results and the expectations that come along for the ride. Maybe these look and feel more like those skinnier tires, the ones that run at 100+ psi, the ones where the pressure is so high they could blow at any moment. Being a competitive athlete throughout her childhood, into college, and then adulthood—there was absolutely time for riding that fine line, for feeling that higher pressure both literally and figuratively.

So how does someone competing at the highest level and managing a crap-ton of expectations make a change? Is it possible to do so gracefully and maintain one’s relevancy in an industry and a world you are so intimately connected to, and where your visibility is paramount to much of your professional success? Can you step into that phone booth, spin around, and come out donning a different cape? Maybe one that introduces you as a new breed of superhero?

Unequivocally, yes—when what’s at your very core is calling you to shift gears. When the podiums look different and chasing points is less of a priority than chasing adventures with your life’s plot twist, your business partner, and your life partner all wrapped up in one. Where the wins are defined by new roads winding up to spectacular views, old west saloons where you can grab a beer with the locals, quirky historical markers and far off ghost towns, or discovering the best apple fritters because cookies are overrated (unless they have frosting).

The person that stepped into the phone booth as a competitive cyclist driven for so long strictly by results, stepped out with a new-found confidence in allowing herself to be more than just an athlete, to know that at any given start line it’s okay if she’s not the best, to give herself grace in those moments of unknown or disappointment, and to channel this new energy into giving back to her community that supported a successful career for herself.

Bikes + cows = harmony - yep!

The greatest plot twist ever :)

If you do follow along with what Alison has been up to over the past year, you may know about a couple of new ventures she has embarked on. If you don’t, you should—if for no other reason than to put a smile on your face with her unapologetic humor, awkwardness, clever use of emojis, and antics often involving cow sightings, dirt mustaches, snack stops, and group ride shenanigans. All the while she manages to provide bold inspiration to just have fun, be yourself, and get on with it.

I'm not up to anything. Promise. ;)

I think Ali said she's mountain biked 6 times...

150+ Miles at Gravel Locos with bestie, Jess Cerra

Ride Destination: Fish + Chips

Alison grew up on a cattle ranch along the Central Coast of California, and confirmed the number of cowgirl boots in her closet is indeed on par with the number of bikes in her garage—fancy boots and everyday boots included. We talked about the absolute synergies between riding horses and riding bikes. The monotony, the rhythm, the escape vehicle to explore. We talked about the difference in trust between that of the physics of the bike and that of the horse’s brain and intuition. And we landed on gravel being the wild west of cycling.

Perhaps this is what inspired the 20” x 20” squares of cotton that are making dreams come true for young cyclists in her local NorCal community. Little did Alison know what a difference bandanas would make when she co-founded Saga Ventures in July 2020 with her boyfriend, Blaize, and reached out to fellow cyclist and graphic designer, Sarah Sturm, to help bring her vision for the A.M.T. Bandana Project to life. The proceeds to date have funded five scholarships for NICA athletes in the NorCal GRIT Program (Girls Riding Together), in an effort to get more young girls on bikes. To complement the scholarships, Alison will ride with the girls at a camp in her hometown of Petaluma, California in June, where she’ll surprise them each with an epic swag bag complete with gear and goodies from her sponsors including Specialized, Lezyne, Camelbak, Chamois Butt’r, GU Energy Labs, and more—giving the girls everything they need to get started and feel like a part of a team that has their back.

Her latest endeavor is one not to be missed, and who knows—their crew may be coming soon to a city near you! Meet PreemTV—”here to celebrate cycling and the people that ride, taking you on a journey showcasing diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and locations from around the globe.” As a host alongside Phil Gaimon, Lex Albrecht, Rahsaan Bahati and other international correspondents in the world of cycling, Alison takes us “Into the Field,” to learn and laugh about things like the “50 Shades of Gravel,” “Losing Her Boyfriend in the Woods,” and “Staying Inspired,” when you’re not sure what you’re training or preparing for. PreemTV is about cycling culture, meeting more of the real people in, behind, and in front of the sport, sharing stories about why we love riding bikes, getting scrappy, and ultimately offering more ways to stoke your ride. P.S. It’s not about race coverage.

In the Field with Ali—tune in on PreemTV

Storytelling is nothing new to Alison, and I enthusiastically discovered recently that we share a mutual respect for the Oxford comma. Her evocative writing may be found on Gravelle.Life, Carmichael Training Systems, and on her own blog at AlisonTetrick.com. All in all, the perfect blend of insight, inspiration, humor, and thought-provoking journeys for your mind.

We’d be remiss without sharing Alison’s go-to gear (including pre-ride coffee) for epic gravel adventures, so here goes:

• Specialized Diverge (love the future shock squish)

• SRAM eTap Eagle AXS (all the gears - 10/50 in the rear, 44t in the front!)

• Camelbak Chase Vest (they even make a women’s specific one)

• Lezyne Mega XL GPS - never get lost, great battery life

• Chamois Butt’r because well, you know. Gravel.

• My bandanas!

• Gu Energy Labs - cause snacks

• Equator Coffee - Jaguar Espresso

• Equator Coffee & Teas - The Mill Valley location is a favorite if you’re in the Bay Area, or use code EQ4Alison for an online discount.

No doubt that the future is bright and the opportunities endless for Alison Tetrick. But one thing that really struck a chord with me was her vision for her future. What does it look like to strive more for being present, to unplug from the rat race a bit, to be happy where you are while ensuring you leave an impact, to be okay with not always trying to go for more and more? I think this is a conundrum we all face today, and we’re lucky to have people in the world like Ali who keep it real, keep it fun, and do good by others along the way. Seems to me she’s mapping a pretty good path in that direction. Follow along @amtetrick.

Having no fun at all… ever. :)

One of the reasons I created VéloSkiCaffè, was to spotlight my immense respect for the peeps bringing pure awesomeness to those pursuits that challenge and inspire us. Thank you, Ali, for taking the time to chat, and I can’t wait to publish your thoughts on the parting question I left with you at some point down the road—when you’re competing at the elite and pro level, or at any level for that matter, can competition and fun be harmonious, and if so, what’s your approach to that relationship. You gave me a few hints, and this’ll be good! Thanks again, Ali.

Cycling to the top of Slovenia

A must-do cycling adventure in the Julian Alps

When looking for a cycling adventure and more than just a bike ride, the options are endless while the preferences certainly vary. Some prefer the rolling hills, coastlines, or backcountry double-track. Others go rails-to-trails, bike packing, or century-ride hopping. For those inclined to seek out the epic climbs, the road to the Mt. Mangart, in the mountainous region of northwest Slovenia, should find its way to your list.

The highest paved road in Slovenia winds its way to the Mangart Saddle. Look south and you see the beautiful Log Koritnica Valley in Slovenia. Do a 180 and the extraordinary colors of the Lakes of Fusine glimmer from the north in Italy. Welcome to the Julian Alps, situated near the triple border between Italy, Slovenia, and Austria.

Originally built in 1938 over the course of six months, this narrow, one-lane road up Mt. Mangart served as part of the Italian Army’s defense against the Yugoslav Army. Now found on the map as Route 902, the umpteen switchbacks, hairpins, and five tunnels carved out of rock lead you to the deadend summit and the pinnacle of the climb. Lush and forested landscape precedes the approach to treeline and the rugged, exposed limestone reaches to the skies. It’s near to impossible to keep your eyes on the road, but for the effort needed to keep turning the pedals over.

Our small group of six cyclists started the day from our home base at the Valbruna Inn, the heartbeat of this exquisite little village nestled at the base of the mountains just south of Tarvisio and Mt. Lussari, and an easy two-hour drive north of Venice. We would ride 15 miles to the beginning of the Mangart ascent, including several miles along the buttery-smooth Alpe-Adria bike path and then a gradual climb up and over Predil Pass into Slovenia.  

Having visited the region previously, I had often imagined what it would be like to climb this rocky massif separating the eastern and western Julian Alps. Growing up in the Colorado Rockies and cycling across mountain passes in the American West was my familiar, and nothing compares to the sensory overload of taking yourself out of your element to a completely unfamiliar and awe-inspiring environment like this. 

In less than 12 kilometers (7-ish miles), the road ascends 980 meters (3,215 feet). With an average gradient around 7%, it was the pitches that reached 11-12%, 16-18% and 22-23% that let’s just say, mmm… got my attention. My mantra was “just keep pedaling.” For 90 minutes, I’d say I achieved some of the lowest RPMs I ever had on a bike. I relished in the short stretches of road that fell below a six percent grade and let me turn the cranks over a bit quicker, as they were few and far between.

As I rounded the final switchback to reach the summit of Mangart (said like we were now on a first name basis), I wasn’t sure if I was going to burst into tears, smile until it hurt because that’s what I do, scream (or swear) with joy and perhaps a little disbelief, or maybe a combination of them all. Yep—you got it—all of the above. 

My best friend was waiting for me at the top with her notorious big bear hug and perhaps the sweetest surprise she could have handed over, a perfectly wrapped in periwinkle paper, bar of Milka chocolate—and my happy dance ensued. 

Our crew of six rolled in one by one as we took in the magnificent views, rediscovered the feeling in our legs, and eventually turned our attention to the prospect of riding back down the beast we had just conquered—all part of the day’s cycling adventure.

Needless to say, down was significantly faster than up. There’s always that pesky little climb that comes after a long descent, which then feels like a bigger challenge than it truly is. But as we dropped back over into Italy and found our way to a little lake for a quick dip, I couldn’t care less about how many more ups versus downs we’d meet along the ride back.

We saddled up, hopped on, and rolled to Valbruna. I can’t say enough about the coziness, the cuisine, and the 5-heart hospitality offered in this special little corner of the world. Throughout the following week, our rides would take us into Austria to find bakeries, to the top of mountain refugios for delectable lunches, and point-to-point to return by train through the stunning Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. I look forward to sharing more stories from this place, in due time.

As the world opens up and we find ourselves willing and able to travel more again, I’ve included a couple of resources, which I couldn’t speak more highly of. Valbruna Travel offers small, custom cycling, skiing, and culinary adventures with experiences only made possible through their local ties to and deep knowledge of their hometown.

Valbruna Travel

Valbruna Inn

“It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels.”

— Heinz Stucke, author of Home is Elsewhere and 50 Years Around the World by Bike

VéloSkiCaffè—The Adventurer’s Good News Channel

Springtime is for out-and-back rides and waiting for the melt.

VéloSkiCaffè was born out of three simple things that more often than not bring the highly sought-after smile cramps to my face. Cycling. Skiing. And coffee. Each on its own is one thing never to be understated, but looked at collectively there is an appreciation of the energy, the essence, the sense of place across these three pastimes that prompted my creation of VéloSkiCaffè.

It’s the common ground amongst the three—the people, the places, the stories. The penchant for gear, and gadgets, and pastries. And the continuous cycle from season to season, from wheels to skis and back again, with that fragrant cup of java invariably the common denominator. Where the yearning for the next season is on par with the one just past.

And while some are more inclined to seek adventures by bike, and some are further drawn to the backcountry, and some are the masters of the small batch coffee roast, my hope is for VéloSkiCaffè to share these pursuits through carefully curated imagery, lessons, wisdom, and experiences that have been or are yet to be. In many ways, VéloSkiCaffè is the evolution of an idea I had many years ago.

In the mid-nineties, I was in my mid-twenties and I dreamt of starting “The Good New Channel.” The underwhelm of good news in the media struck a chord with me. I was about five years out of college and on track to build my career in the world of advertising as an art buyer and as a creative director in the photography industry. I didn’t have the gumption to get scrappy, take a leap, and make it happen. So here we are.

VéloSkiCaffè brings full-circle an iteration of that dream. Sure, it looks quite different. But it carries forth my vision to deliver good news, learn from the best, and serve up helpful information along with insight and inspiration—to an audience of kindred spirits.

Do what makes you happy.

Low-angle powder for the win.

It is a place where my intent is to welcome questions, reach out to those we can learn from, and feature the findings on the best cycling destinations, backcountry ski trips, and local coffeehouses. Where we can tap into key takeaways about cycling gear, backcountry safety, and the nuances of independent coffee roasters. Where we can meet some of the masterminds, innovators, and ringleaders out there encouraging us all to up our game.

I’m not a professional athlete, or a world champion, or an influencer. I’m just me—an avid and passionate cyclist and skier, and a long-time coffee enthusiast. I simply enjoy that feeling of smile cramps drawn from doing the things I love most and I want more of. Sometimes it’s a new summit or an “epic” of some sort, other times it's that gravel road to a hot spring, and still others it’s the local coffee shop I stumble into along a road trip. I aspire to be stronger, to learn tricks of the trade from the talents of the best, to often find the biggest joy in the little things, and to inspire others to do the same.

Welcome to this place I hope will feel like our adventure’s common ground. Thanks for visiting and coming along for the ride.

Side note: this is where I want to send major kudos to Geri Weis-Corbley, whom I would be remiss in not mentioning. She took that leap just a couple of years later and built what is now the Good News Network.