Cycling is more than a sport for me; it has raised me and been an integral part of my life. I first rode a bike at the age of 7 and was hooked. I was racing BMX a week after my first pedal strokes. My life was derailed at the age of 9 with an acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis, and I would have to start a 3 ½ year-long journey through chemotherapy.
At the end of my first year, I got a second diagnosis, I had a bad reaction to the steroids and I developed osteoporosis in my legs. This condition weakens bone structure, and I was forced to avoid running or jumping for four years.
The doctor told me that I could do cycling however, and it would benefit my condition. The first bike ride I remember being so challenging, but it was the beginning of an exponential recovery aided by bikes.
My bone density improved quicker than the doctors had anticipated and I started racing BMX. I went on to win a state championship title and national-level races in the intermediate category while undergoing chemotherapy.
I eventually transitioned to riding mountain bikes. I was hooked on exploration by bike and spent hours a day riding and building trails with my friends. In May of 2009, I took my last chemo treatment and was stronger than ever.
I went on to get 2nd at the Colorado State Championships, and then I got 5th in the National XC Championships. At the end of high school, I became tired of racing and decided to pursue a new passion of mine; filmmaking.
In 2016 I had a crazy idea of riding my bike from Norway to Spain and carrying my camera gear. I worked as a produce salesman in Iowa to earn money, invested in camera gear, got two friends together, and flew to Norway. I brought way too much gear and suffered so much from the weight. I learned a a ton on this trip.
I want to do more big bikepacking trips and make films of these adventures. I have always had the goal of becoming a mix of an athlete and a filmmaker. I already need some athletic edge for most of the films that I’ve made. I don’t plan to be a full-time bikepacking athlete but plan a handful of bikepacking trips each year. I am not a racer, but someone who can go on long expeditions and trips with camera equipment.
Because of my new niche skill of bikepacking with cameras, I got a job making a film about a musician that does all of his music tours self-supported by bike. He wanted to do a massive tour on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 2,700-mile dirt route from Banff, Canada to the US / Mexico border. All while doing 13 pre-planned concerts in small towns along the way. I was wiser on this trip and had less camera gear. We completed the route in 22 riding days and 30 days in total. This film won and went to many film festivals. Also, I received an “Ambassador of the Year” award from bikepacking.com because of the project.
My Self Filmed / Bikepacking Projects
Future bikepacking route goals
How to support my projects
Gear Contribution
I am looking for gear contributions that make the projects happen.
I would be able to contribute gear-based content year-round.
In the films, all gear-contributing brands will be mentioned in the end credits.