For me to work with a sponsor, I have to love their product and want to use it. I’m grateful to have sponsors I believe in. Their support means I get to do what I do best: Ride bikes and help others believe in themselves, the way these companies believe in me.
Red Bull has an unbelievable track record of sticking with their sponsored athletes and helping them chase down and occupy their dreams. That attitude is a part of every can you hold in your hand. They’ve helped athletes push their envelopes and take sports achievements to the next level. Red Bull has stuck with me and been supportive for all of my athletic endeavors, from adventure racing to mountain biking. Red Bull is my motivation when nothing else works.
Specialized has a unique place in the world of mountain biking. They’re one of the first companies to introduce mountain bikes to the general public all the way back in 1981. They’ve been innovating ever since, trying to find ways to get more people onto two wheels. I share their goal, and I admire their passion for constantly improving on the status quo. From helmets to saddles and the fleet of bikes that are built to an exacting standard, I am proud to use their product.
During the best part of any ride, the bicyclist forgets they’re on a machine, because it’s working well and they’re just experiencing the ride. That’s what SRAM is all about: getting more riders there, using technology that’s so good you forget you’re using it. Their gear helps me go faster, farther and with fewer problems. But beyond that, SRAM is a company I admire for their commitment to the sport and to its positive impact in the world. As a multi-year sponsor of the SRAM Gold Rusch Tour, this company is helping bring more women and girls into the world of bicycling, and I cannot help but admire them for that.
I count on GU products to help me get me through the rough days, and to make the regular days better. Their performance products work for any endurance sport, for both pro and amateur athletes. I admire that they work with these athletes to improve on the products they sell, they use the products themselves and I’m grateful all that hard work is paying off for me. I also love that this family-launched business uses no artificial dyes, colors, etc and that I can read and pronounce everything on their ingredient list. I know GU is good for me and works.
I can definitely say there’s nothing like the Buff. I use these year-round, whether on my head, around my neck or in countless other ways. I take Buff cycling, skiing, and motorcycle riding. There’s nothing like this handy multi-purpose little item. to keep sweat out of my eyes and warm when I need it.
For the kind of racing I do, a solid lighting system is essential. More than that, riding at night is one of my most favorite things in the world to do, but only if I can see. I put in lots of overnight hours on bikes and I count on Light & Motion gear to get me through the dark hours. I have won all of my 24 Hour National and 24 Hour Worlds titles with Light and Motion lights. I can’t imagine using anything else.
It matters to me that Beyond Coastal sunscreen and lip balms are clean, anti-oxidant formulas that work in all conditions. Their products were developed with the active outdoor person in mind, and that means I can count on them. Their formulas are tested every day in the water, on the snow and in the mountains. I also love that they are a local Idaho company and take regular long lunch breaks on nice days to “test product.” I respect that.
These guys went from a startup GPS manufacturer to an international standard for navigation, communication and information devices. Garmin provides an incredibly diverse line of products that fit all manner of activities. I used the Garmin Etrex all over the world in my adventure racing days. Now, I’m completely addicted to the Edge cycling line to track all of my workouts and adventures on the bike. Their products keep me on track, on the trail and under control.
I could never imagine that I’d have the worlds’ best sunglass and goggle company in my own hometown of Sun Valley, Idaho. Their products are always ahead of the pack and their sport optics technology helps keep me there, too. I never cease to be amazed at the technology and innovation they pack into their glasses. They happen to be a great bunch of neighbors, too.
I love that Crank Brothers has managed to turn out an impressive roster of head-turning products, all while keeping their small-company vibe alive. Their products reflect that these are impassioned people with a flair for design and simplicity. Their work is their life and all of us who ride bikes with their products are luckier for it.
I know my feet are different from the next racer, so I need footwear that reflects that. SOLE footbeds, sandals and slippers bring out the best in my feet. For cycling, running, skiing and relaxing, nothing else provides me with the same level of control and comfort that I get from SOLE products. It all adds up to shoes that make my feet happier, and make me feel better on hard days.
Staying hydrated is easily one of the most important aspects of race performance, and once I could safely and easily drink while riding over even the most technical terrain, it allowed me to take things to a whole other level. As the originator of the idea, their products are the most innovative hydration systems available. Camelbak’s “got my back.”
You’re only as good as your equipment, and in tough terrain, it’s hard to keep the parts on your bike running smoothly. ProGold lubricants let me ride with confidence, knowing that my chain is protected and efficient, and that all my components will stay jam-free for the entire race and then back into my training.
If you’ve ever taken a good look at my shoes, you will see that a large part of what makes them so special is the Boa closure system. No other system I’ve tried has given me such minute control over the tightness of my shoe. The constant, adjustable tension ensures that my foot will stay both secure and comfortable for the entire ride.
Athletes are really quick to forget that recovery is the bridge between that hard workout and a better outcome next time. Restwise makes recovery into a science and then gets the best information into the hands of athletes in a way that is approachable and useful. I know they help me get the jump on my next workout, by helping me plan ahead.
Whether you’re looking for yoga, core strength from Pilates or the burn of a spin class, the folks at Zenergy have something to help you. Their wellness programming has helped me more than a few times to recover from long days and big events. They also help me get ready for the next ones.
Salomon’s reach in the sports industry is mind-boggling. I’ve been a Salomon fan for a long time because I use their products year round. I appreciate that their leading-edge technology always makes it into the hands of everyday athletes, so everyone can appreciate the world-class research and design that goes into their products.
These guys make me hurt, but they also make me better. I’m a smarter athlete because of the training I get from my CTS coach, Dean Golich. Look around you at a top race and you’ll find that everyone from ultra-endurance runners, Ironman triathletes to NASCAR drivers and yes, a few long-haul mountain bike racers rely on CTS training. I’m grateful for the guidance I get from them. I really couldn’t do my job without this group of professionals and endurance junkies.
