I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and kept myself busy as a kid playing soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and riding horses in the summertime. I always yearned for the West after camping with my dad in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Canadian Rockies. These experiences inspired me to leave the Midwest and attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. While I rode bikes as a kid, I didn’t really find my love for it until college when I had no other transportation other than a bicycle and realized it was the best way to get around and learn about the ins and outs of Bozeman. Soon I was mountain biking with friends and gravel riding around the Gallatin Valley, then eventually bikepacking! Besides riding bikes, I also like to fix them! I am a mechanic at a bike shop in Bozeman and love to help people keep their beloved bicycles on the road or trail.
I received a BS in Wildlife Management & Ecology at MSU, so I am always looking out for animals on the trail or just in my backyard, especially birds! I still live in Bozeman, a fast-growing town that still has my heart, and I enjoy traveling through Montana by bike, foot, or ski touring. When I’m not playing outside I love reading over a cup of coffee or tea, watching women’s soccer, and making really bad art.
What is the best thing about working at The Cycling House?
Definitely the family-esque feel to the trips! I love getting to know all of the guests while we are riding, eating, or battling it out during a game of ping pong. By the end of the trip I feel like it's a big group of friends even if no one knew each other prior. The food is also incredible and I look forward to every meal!
Do you have a favorite ride?
My favorite ride is the Gibraltar loop on the Solvang, California trip. You can't ask for a better day than climbing up into the mountains then zipping down to the ocean for a swim
to cap off the day!
What is the most memorable day you've ever had on the bike?
This is a hard question because there are so many but one day that stands out is when my good friend and I did the White Rim Road in a day. This dirt road goes through Canyonlands National Park which is one of the most mind-blowing landscapes I have ever seen. I was bummed to be flying through it all but we quickly ditched our goal of finishing in a certain amount of time because being able to sit at overlooks and cliff sides chatting and enjoying the place we were in seemed a lot more important than going fast. We got to see the maze of red canyons beneath us burn bright during golden hour which continues to be one of the most stunning scenes I have witnessed. Our timing had us finishing the ride in the dark in 25 degree temps with strong winds and I got a little hypothermic BUT the stars were shining bright and it was all ok.
