Madi Larsen - Mechanic and Saddle Slinger

Madi Larsen - Mechanic and Saddle Slinger

Written by Contender Bicycles, on March 29, 2022

Throughout the next few months, we will be highlighting the women of Contender Bicycles - and their journey to completing the Grodeo, a 92-mile gravel event in northern Utah. Without further ado, in her own words, Madi Larsen.

WHO IS MADI LARSEN?

I am originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. I was a college soccer player at Northern Michigan University for two years. Playing soccer my whole life has made me LOVE the outdoors! Before getting into biking, I was an ice climbing/rock climbing/mountaineering/backpacking guide, ski tech, and ski instructor throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Canada, Alaska, Idaho, California, and here in Utah where I have lived for over a year. The desert is one of my favorite places. I am adventurous, outdoorsy, and love to try new things (mostly bike things) with my best friend/partner Mike!

WHO ARE YOU AS A CYCLIST?

I love to pedal! Since getting my SCOTT Contessa Scale, I have fallen even more in love with the mountains. I enjoy pushing myself and seeing just how far I can ride on my bike. It is just so fun to be on a bike, I want to pedal all the time. Dirt roads away from everything tend to be my favorite. Though I have been riding for my whole life, I fell in love with riding two years ago and have not wanted to stop pedaling far and wide since.

Madi Larsen poses for a photo outside of Contender Bicycles

WHO ARE YOU AT CONTENDER?

Mechanic Madi!!!! Being able to work with my hands, be around bikes every day, move around and problem solve rolls everything I want to do into one position. It also allows me to learn new things every day, I love it, and can't wait to keep progressing.

Madi Larsen working on a bicycle

WHY THE GRODEO? 

I’m not as hard on myself when I bike compared to when I do other things, but I can really push myself and still have a lot of fun. I want to spend a lot more time on gravel and get into some more events, so why not? Spending time with the ladies (my best friends) that I work with is awesome, so what better way to do that than to ride 90+ miles and complete 6 months of training with them?

Madi Larsen working on a bicycle

WHAT ARE YOUR GRODEO (AND LIFE) GOALS?

My goals are to just ride my bike for longer distances in new places. Doing my best is important, but I also want to have a lot of fun while pedaling. My goals for the future are to just be a resourceful and successful mechanic that gets to ride her bike for long miles on her off days….I think I am doing pretty well for myself. 

A dream that I have is to one day open my own (coffee) beans, bagels, and bike shop. Who doesn’t love coffee and bagels AND bikes??? 

I hope to learn more about training and my abilities to train on a schedule with this experience. I hope to see how I can push myself and grow in my ability to adventure and ride. My main goal is to just have fun with my friends!

MADI'S QUIVER:

SCOTT Contessa Scale

Curious about the Saddle Slingers? Check out our post about this awesome group of ladies and meet KJ and Sofia in their bios. 


2 comments

  • Great story Madi! Good job! 😊 Glad we can follow the Saddle Slingers journey.

    Sarah Larsen on

  • Rooting for the Saddle Slingers from ATL, GA!! What a strong team of young ladies having fun outdoors!!

    Lynn Shine on

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