ATLETAS E EMBAIXADORES
Kirt Vories
For Kirt Voreis, riding bikes has always been about having fun. From riding recumbents to sending the Black Sage FEST jumps on a 29er, he’s never been one to limit himself to one type of bike. Armed with amazing bike handling skills and a colorful personality, Kirt has continually shown it’s more about how you ride rather than what you ride.
Syd Schultz and Macky Franklin
Syd and Macky are a couple of professional mountain bike racers who live in a van and travel the country (and the world) in search of the best mountain bike races. They race a variety of events, everything from gravel and cross-country to enduro and downhill, and their main criteria is the race vibe, not the race type, with a focus on unique, fun, epic events.
Make sure to check out their YouTube channel where they share a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to be professional mountain bike racers — what it’s like to live on the road, ride your bike for a living and travel the world in search of the best races — as well lots of things you should (and shouldn’t) do if you’re interested in doing a mountain bike race. They share their great days, their gnarly crashes and just about everything in between.
YouTube Channel: Syd And Macky
Amanda Nauman
What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?
Winning my second Unbound Gravel title because I proved to myself that the first year wasn’t just a fluke.
What is your proudest non-cycling accomplishment?
Anything I’ve done that’s made my parents proud.
When did you first start cycling?
When my dad decided it was time to teach me how to balance on my bike. I proceeded to crash and split my chin open, but that feeling of freedom was all I needed to fall in love with the bike.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’d love to explore Indonesia by bike because it’s where my mom is from.
Baggies or Spandex?
Both!
Who is your celebrity role model (or crush?)
Jimmy O. Yang.
What would you like people to know about you that they can’t see from your social profiles?
I’m originally a swimmer and I’m happiest near water.
Kyle Warner and April Zastrow
Kyle and April share how-to videos on YouTube where Kyle uses his professional knowledge to thoughtfully coach April as a newer MTB rider. Kyle’s ability to transfer his extensive skills in an easily digestible manner along with April’s progression that is both inspiring and attainable by the vast majority of viewers makes an enjoyable dynamic. “Our main goal with our channel is to create a healthy outlet for people while making riding bikes safer and more fun for everyone!”
Over the past year they have have been building their Ride MTB headquarters to expand their channel past their how-to videos and provide more lifestyle, podcast and maintenance videos. Their commitment to growing and connecting with the MTB community is the driving forces to keep us entertained with their fun content.
Personal website: www.ridemtb.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/KyleAprilRideMtb
James Bethea
James Bethea’s story is a bit fairytale and urban legend. Born in Brooklyn, he picked up a bike to become a bike messenger in the city. He won the first Bike Messenger World Championship in 1986 before embarking on a career in mountain bike racing from 1989 to 1996. He won multiple titles as the first Black professional mountain bike athlete in the country. With his bike messenger pedigree, and a timeless window, look for James to continue delivering the goods. He’s still out racing and has added creating fine art to his career. He’s been able to turn those experiences on the dirt into art.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/skidmarksfineart/
https://www.instagram.com/jamesbethea/
Yuri Hauswald
What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?
Winning Unbound Gravel in 2015.
What is your proudest non-cycling accomplishment?
Watching my wife, who is the executive director of the NorCal HS Cycling League, inspire the next generation of cyclists. She has been in this role for a decade.
When did you first start cycling?
I picked up a bike late in life. After a collegiate career playing lacrosse at Cal Berkeley, I discovered the MTB while teaching at a prep school back east when I was 24 yrs old.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
The South Island of NZ. Road, MTB, gravel, you name it, NZ is a magical place to ride your bike.
Baggies or Spandex?
Bagdex…you know, cuz I wear both.
Who is your celebrity role model (or crush?)
What would you like people to know about you that they can’t see from your social profiles?
That I’m a shoe whore and have more pairs in the closet than my wife does.
Damian Groves
What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?
My greatest cycling accomplishment would have to be qualifying for three World Cup 4x main events.
What is your proudest non-cycling accomplishment?
My proudest noncycling accomplishment would have to be finding my girlfriend! Finding someone who can cope with me on a daily basis is no easy feat.
When did you first start cycling?
I started at 7 years old when my dad started bringing home bike magazines to get me to go outside.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Whistler! Not very original I know but that place is all about the good times and for me between the races fun times are all that matters.
Baggies or Spandex?
Back in the day baggies were all me but I’m more of slim fit jeans kinda guy nowadays. Never spandex though. That wouldn’t be fair on people’s eyes.
Who is your celebrity role model (or crush?)
My celebrity crush…. probably have to go with Blake Lively.
What would you like people to know about you that they can’t see from your social profiles?
I work in construction 9 to 5 and love to chill at home with some Mexican food watching sitcoms on the tv most nights of the week.
