Otso Ambassadors
Otso Cycles makes versatile, purpose-built bikes for adventure and racing alike. Our ambassadors have a genuine love for all things cycling and seeing each other succeed. These are folks who help you get through the last 40 miles of a 100-mile race, will gladly move their gear to fit another tent at the campsite, and leave you inspired to ride more. Podiums are not as important as storytelling, building community, and being good, good folks on and off the bike.
Apply to become an Otso ambassador here.
Sarah Swallow
Arizona and Colorado, USA
@sarahjswallowQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Fenrir Ti , Waheela C , and Voytek .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Red Vines.
2023 riding goal?
To explore the possibilities and opportunities of community over competition.
Dream cycling trip?
Any trip where I can combine my love for beautiful environments, the sea, and delicious food. Italy, Albania, more of Greece, and Turkey are all on the list!
Matthew “Mateo” Ryan Pio Paez
Oregon, USA
@whatswrongwithpaez_Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
No guilt, no shame! I am a human garbage disposal but I typically listen to what my body needs. Salty over sweet!
2023 riding goal?
I am fortunate enough to race in Europe this summer and my 2023 goal is to come home with a desire to push further into the unknowns of this sport.
Dream cycling trip?
Circumnavigation of our planet earth! GBDuro. SRMR. Tour Divide. The list goes on…
Blake Bockius
California, USA
@b_bockQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Payday is my go-to when I need to resupply at a convenience store. Gotta love the salty sweet!
2023 riding goal?
Finish the Caldera 500! No matter how long it takes. That race has gotten the best of me more than once.
Dream cycling trip?
To ride the Bikepacking Roots Orogenesis Route, from the tip of Baja to the Canadian border.
Andrew Mohama
Illinois, USA
@andrewmohamaQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Loading up my feedbag with Swedish fish or stopping at a McDonald's for a large fries.
2023 riding goal?
I am in the final stages of planning a cross-country "bike listening tour" where I will be carrying out a narrative-based research study, centered around conversations about community, social isolation, and loneliness. San Fransisco to Chicago is the plan. Goal is to be as present as possible, enjoy the solitude of a solo journey, and learn something formative about myself and others.
Dream cycling trip?
I've heard amazing things about New Zealand and would love to traverse the country.
Maggie Livelsberger
Pennsylvania, USA
@large_marge03Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Single Speed Fenrir Stainless .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Uncrustables.
2023 riding goal?
Complete the Arkansas High Country full route.
Dream cycling trip?
That’s a tough one… maybe Iceland. Really anywhere that gets me out of work for a bit and into the mountains.
Amanda Harvey
Minnesota, USA
@mandi042Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Voytek .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Bacon, sour gummy worms, Starburst (all are a pleasure and none are guilty!)
2023 riding goal?
Gravel Worlds Long Voyage 300 (but really it's prep for ITI 2023).
Dream cycling trip?
I would love to tour Europe and ride the local velodromes (but not tour on a track bike).
Hana Black
New Zealand
@beinghanaQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Voytek and Fenrir Stainless .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Caramel popcorn.
2023 riding goal?
The Death Road, Bolivia (if I get to ride that this year it means we're back on the road in South America!)
Dream cycling trip?
I have a long list of places I dream about exploring by bike. These include Everest Base Camp, Iceland, Japan and Madagascar.
Mark Watson
New Zealand
@highluxphotoQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Voytek and Fenrir Stainless .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Fry's Turkish Delight (Chocolate coated and full of sugar!)
2023 riding goal?
To return to South America and complete a bikepacking expedition from Alaska to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, that was started in 2016.
Dream cycling trip?
Anywhere that's relatively remote, and combines a mix of dirt roads and singletrack with mountainous topography, agreeable weather and indigenous culture.
Justin McKinley
Colorado, USA
@jjjjustinQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Sunflower seed connoisseur... Fisher > David > Bigs... classic salted flavor only.
2023 riding goal?
Finish every event I start.
Dream cycling trip?
I've been dreaming about racing the Tour Divide for a few years, but I also want to do the Colorado Trail Race.
Lauren Cantwell
Nevada, USA
@lmackenzie87Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Salt and vinegar potato chips (aka how you know I'm cracked at a gas station!)
2023 riding goal?
More stage races! Both gravel and mountain bike! Also goal to ride the Toiyabe Crest Trail in Nevada!
Dream cycling trip?
Bikepacking in Nepal.
Jolene Holland
Texas, USA
@jolenehollandQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Rice Krispie Treats / Coca-Cola Gummies.
2023 riding goal?
More weekends spent bike camping.
Dream cycling trip?
Spending a month touring Japan.
Lauren Brownlee
Idaho, USA
@xplaurenQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
I will never feel guilty for fueling my body with junk but my feedbags are happiest when overflowing with peanut M&Ms and albanese gummy worms. Drumsticks at every gas station.
2023 riding goal?
Finish every race I start. Laugh and cry a lot.
Dream cycling trip?
Every cycling trip is a dream if there are mountains, new-to-me trails, 24 hour gas station resupplies, and pit toilets.
Jackie Neve
Texas, USA
@jkneveQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
So many Cheez-Its.
2023 riding goal?
More races like Rule of 3. Ripping singletrack on my Waheela is such a good time!
Dream cycling trip?
Italy or Greece. Bike touring + eating incredible food every day.
Dylan Morton
Arkansas, USA
@made_of_saltQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Warakin Ti , Fenrir Stainless , and Waheela C .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Sardines in Tomato Sauce, no shame!
2023 riding goal?
For every big race or ride I get the opportunity to do, I'd like to set up a bike for someone that gets to do the same race. I love using my experience as a mechanic and taking my own personal bikes through extreme conditions, so I can make sure you and yours can thrive on your adventures.
Dream cycling trip?
3 months of bikepacking with friends; including planes, trains, and ferries. No goals; just miles, smiles, and good food.
Noah Middlestaedt
Maine, USA
@gimpcyclistQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Swedish Fish.
2023 riding goal?
My 2023 riding goal is to help further grow the cycling community in the New England area through local rides, races, and events. Helping to foster new growth in the sport by those who love bikes for any reason.
Dream cycling trip?
Clara and I are dreaming of a bike packing trip through Norway. Someday!
Clara Brown
Maine, USA
@clara.brownieQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Gummy bears.
2023 riding goal?
Paracycling time trial World Champion (web editor's note: Clara accomplished this goal!)
Dream cycling trip?
Norway.
Joey Bowens
New Mexico, USA
@clara.brownieQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Almond Snickers with a Coke (real sugar!)
2023 riding goal?
Explore state and national parks in NM via bicycle.
Dream cycling trip?
Ride down Highway 1.
Beija Flor
Washington, USA
@beijaflorartQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Typically I don’t consider most of my pleasures to induce guilt, BUT my favorite and most necessary ride snack often is just large quantities of preserved meat - though lately it’s just been chicken tenders from Safeway AKA any meat snack.
2023 riding goal?
After completing my first CX race in 2022, and following through on a gravel race I bailed on last year, my main goal is to continue signing up and showing up for rides and events that are new to me and put me outside of my comfort zone. Seeing as I also stepped down from a full-time role elsewhere, I’d like to commit more of my freed up time to bikepacking.
Dream cycling trip?
One day I’d like to fly to the Philippines and pedal around there. It’s where my family is from and where my mom was born, yet I’ve only been there on foot. I think it would feel really gratifying to experience it on my own two wheels and meet up with local bike shops I’ve connected with online.
Stephanie Hall
Texas, USA
@stephaniehall94Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
ALL THE SNACKS. BUT, almost nothing can get between me and a redbull when I’m especially cracked. OR an ice cream sandwich on a hot day.
2023 riding goal?
Explore as much as possible. Go long.
Dream cycling trip?
Whichever one I’m ON. Also, the tour divide.
Chase Wark
Minnesota, USA
@chasethebikerQ&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Voytek .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Double scoop of Chocolate Shoppe Ultimate Oreo Ice Cream in a waffle cone.
2023 riding goal?
Win Fat Bike Worlds and set the course record for the Arrowhead 135.
Dream cycling trip?
Two weeks of biking through Italy and France.
Hai and Khanh Truong
Minnesota, USA
@norton356Q&A
Which Otso bike(s) you own?
Voytek .
Guilty pleasure riding snack?
Pearson’s Nut Roll.
2023 riding goal?
Ride Croatia, Moab, Crested Butte and more bike rafting.
Dream cycling trip?
Bike tour of Basque Country and Pyrenees.