Forrest Boughner

Trip Leader & Guide

At The Cycling House Since: 2015 Hometown: Flagstaff, Arizona Trips Working:

Trip Leader & Guide

Forrest Boughner

I grew up just outside Flagstaff, AZ with the National Forest in my backyard. My friends and I were constantly jumping on our beat up mountain bikes and riding through the woods in search of good trees to climb and adventures to be had. Basketball was my main passion and I spent hours working on ball handling and shooting with my dad’s construction light set out by the hoop. My introduction to endurance sports came in High School when my mom made me join the cross country team to “get in shape for basketball,” but was really her way to make sure I made new friends.

I ended up running in college and still spend my time primarily running. But I got my first road bike right after college and spent that summer stringing together big loops on Wyoming highways. After hiking the Continental Divide Trail my wife in 2014, I connected with the Cycling House – thanks to Brendan Halpin stopping in Run Flagstaff – and we moved to Missoula. I worked for a year in the online store and guiding a few trips before returning to the running world.

Now I have my own business as a running coach and trail running guide, but love returning to the Cycling House to guide, and occasionally lead, trips. I mostly work Tucson trips in the winter, and occasionally a California trip. Even though I primarily identify as a runner, I love the feeling of being on a bike. And I love returning to the Cycling House. The work hard, play hard supportive culture has me trying to get on any trip that fits in my schedule.

What is the best thing about working at The Cycling House?

I love the community! Being able to spend a week getting to know and develop friendships with our guests through a shared experience means the world to me. Getting to the top of Mt Lemmon is good. Getting to the top of Mt Lemmon with a group of people is so much better!

Do you have a favorite ride?

Two rides come to mind. Saguaro East is hands down the most fun road loop you could ever do. I love just ripping laps in the Park. But I also love the adventure of the gravel loop out of Patagonia. Catching that first unexpected glimpse of the San Rafael Valley is just awesome.

What is the most memorable day you’ve ever had on the bike?

Gibraltar 2015 - After one of the first ever weeks of TCH Solvang, the guides went on a ride that turned into a massive climbing day with Brendan trying to get me to turn myself inside-out. Partway through the ride we hit the legendary Gibraltar climb out of Santa Barbara. Brendan and I were getting after it a bit, although I was clearly working way harder than Brendan for the same speed. Every time we hit a mile marker Brendan would ask me a math problem that used the numbers on the sign. I was having problems seeing clearly, but still had to try to focus enough to answer some 2nd grade level math. The longer I took to answer, the more Brendan would pick up the pace! I definitely climbed faster than I thought was possible for me, but haven't been able to do math flashcards since."