A big THANK YOU!
As we are approaching the end of the year, I want to take the time to thank everyone who supported me this year. At the end of 2023, I had no idea what 2024 was going to be like from what kit I would wear, what bike I was going to be riding, or if I would even be successful in gravel racing! However, with the tireless help and support of Athlete Inspire Management I had the opportunity to work with both amazing and supportive brands that took a chance on me to support my dreams. This year would not have been possible without TLAB bikes, CAPO, HUNT wheels, Kenda tires, and POC. I wanted to use this blog to highlight each brand I used this year and how each of my sponsors made this a successful and unforgettable first year of gravel racing! I hope you enjoy!
Firstly, I want to start with TLAB bikes. This was my first year riding a proper gravel bike and I feel privileged that I was given the opportunity to ride a TLAB. From the start, Rob the co-founder of TLAB was encouraging, supportive and did whatever was possible for me to have a successful season. TLAB created my very first customized bike that I will be forever grateful for and hold with great pride. I remember well the first time I raced the bike in my first UCI race in Spain. I was extremely pleased how the bike felt on all terrains, the climbs and descents. But! I can’t forget to mention that TLAB is a titanium bike. This was the first time I have ever rode a titanium bike and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only did the bike perform well in races but I always felt confident that in any crash or travel my TLAB would make it out unscathed. The TLAB bike gave me confidence in myself and lead me to successful results and my first gravel win in 2024. One of my highlights working with TLAB is with Rob and Paul at Unbound. Even though my race did not go to plan, and I suffered a mechanical issue, Rob and Paul were cheering me on and encouraging me every step of the way. They were some of the first people I saw at the finish waiting to say how proud they were of me and waiting to give me a hug. I will always be appreciative of their support this year and providing me with a bike that made it possible for me to race this year. Thank you TLAB I hope I did you proud.
Next, I would like to thank Zach and CAPO for supporting me this year. It was a great pleasure to work with CAPO this year. CAPO provided me with top of the line cycling apparel that lasted me well throughout the year and stood the test of time keeping me comfortable racing 11 hours at Unbound. CAPO also provided me with my own custom jersey that I was extremely proud and grateful for. With the help of Mike at Athlete Inspire Management, CAPO and myself came together to create my very own custom jersey. This jersey reflected my sponsors and my personal brand. The jersey was bright, colorful and hard to miss in a field of riders. My other favorite items from CAPO this year was the Super Corsa Race Cargo Short and the Super Corsa Compatto DWR Wind Jacket. I used these items almost every single day and I always raced in the cargo short. Not only were the shorts comfortable but had pockets on each side of the leg. For long gravel races and training rides these shorts were amazing for holding extra food and easy access while I was racing. The cargo shorts were my number one and most worn cycling item this year! My other essential CAPO item this year was the Super Corsa Wind Jacket. This jacket was perfect for most weather days and fit perfectly in my back pocket going up climbs and provided easy access to take out when I was going back down. Another great feature of the super corsa jacket was the reflective zipper that made me feel both safe and visible on the road. I had the pleasure of meeting Zach in person at SBT GRVL in Colorado this year. With all Zach’s help this year it was wonderful to finally meet him in person. Thank you, Zach and CAPO, for providing me with world class cycling apparel this season, creating the jersey of my dreams and supporting me every step of the way. CAPO made this year possible for me.
I would now like to thank HUNT wheels and Kenneth for providing me with two of the best wheel sets for my first year in gravel. This year I raced and trained with the HUNT Limitless Gravel Aero Wheelset and the HUNT 40 Carbon Gravel Race Wheelset for the hillier races. Both wheelsets were ideal for any type of terrain from fast, rocky with steep climbs at the Traka, 11 + hours of racing at Unbound or racing up a 20km mountain at the Alpine Gravel Challenge, HUNT wheels did it all! I am extremely thankful that HUNT was a sponsor this year. HUNT wheels completed my first ever gravel bike and gave me the confidence that I was on the best equipment to be competitive in every type of gravel race. Thank you, HUNT and Kenneth, for believing in me in my first year of gravel and supporting me in the 2024 season! Now, wheels cannot be complete without tires, thankfully I had the best tires, Kenda! I learned a lot this year but one of the biggest learning curves and one of the most important areas to get right is tire choice and tire pressure. I am extremely thankful that I had the support of Kenda and Pia this year who provided me with various tires and tire sizes to make race day much easier. My favorite tire this year was the Alluvium. The Alluvium was my tire of choice for basically every terrain I rode. The Alluviums made it through the Flint Hills at Unbound and the tread was perfect for flat, fast and paved sections of any race. Kenda was one of the main factors in getting me to worlds this year. Although the race did not go as planned, I was extremely grateful for Kenda’s support getting me to Belgium as well as providing me with the best tires that gave me the extra confidence I needed to race hard and put my mind at ease that I made the right chose when it came to tires for every type of race. Thank you, Kenda and Pia!
I would next like to thank POC for supplying me with both helmets and glasses. POC, Erin and Amber, thank you both for providing me with not only comfortable helmets and glasses that fit perfectly but also a helmet that made me feel extremely safe. After being in a severe bike accident having a helmet that made me feel safe was the top of priority for me and POC did just that. This year I used the Ventral Mips that was ideal for cooler weather and fast races thanks to the aerodynamic design of the helmet as well as including the Mips for extra safety and protection. For the summer months and more mountainous races I opted for the Ventral Lite helmet weighing only slightly more than 200g which made this the perfect mountain helmet! For glasses I used the Aim. I loved the shape, feel and size of these glasses and provided additional protection on both the road and trails. Again, thank you POC, Erin, and Amber for supplying me with incredible and safe equipment that gave me extra confidence when racing and training!
Finally, I would like to again thank Athlete Inspire Management, Peter, Simon, Ruby and Mike for supporting me this season and connecting me with all my amazing sponsors that made this season possible. None of this would have happened without Athlete Inspire Management. And thank you to my Dad who became my personal mechanic all summer and supported me in my North American races, Worlds, and Ranxo gravel. My dad’s support made these races possible, and I would have not been able to race them without him! Thank you to my Mom, Sophie, Grandma, Grandpa and Simon who all supported me every step of the way this season and never stopped believing me in. Your love, support, and guidance carried me through this year. As the new year is approaching soon there will be exciting new changes for the 2025 season and I can’t wait to share them! As always, thank you to everyone for reading my blog and stay tuned for what is next!
