We are cyclists, hikers, backpackers, trail runners, skiers, kayakers, climbers, world travelers, bucket-list conquerors and gear reviewers. Trying hard not come off as industry shills.
Erica Jessop
Utah-based Erica is a Jane-of-all-trades who wears many hats in her day job and tries to make the best out of an office environment when she’d rather be out ascending new climbing routes or crushing gnarly downhill trail on her bike.
Erica’s family is her top priority, and her outdoor partner-in-crime has been her son and a circle of close friends whether it be climbing, biking, canyoneering, hiking, camping or anything they can possibly do to take advantage of the outdoors.
Speaking of the outdoors, it is a major inspiration for Erica and her writing whether it be an article, poem or song (she is also an accomplished pianist and songwriter). It has brought peace, beautiful chaos, and a plethora of memorable experiences that she plans on continuing to build upon. John Muir said it well (with a few Erica-isms), “In every walk, ride or climb with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
Marie Malinowski
Marie is a Minneapolis-based mountain biker, bike commuter, sea kayaker, skier, backpacker, trail runner and world traveler.
She is inspired by all things outdoors and has searched (unsuccessfully) for life’s answers in the fjords of Greenland, Roatan’s coral reefs, Moab’s singletrack, the Swiss alps and while wandering aimlessly through Amsterdam with only a messenger bag, twenty Euros, and a dog-eared copy of In a Sunburned Country. When not testing gear, she experiments with her new-found pandemic passions: airport camping and making her own gourmet backpacking food with a food dehydrator.
Alyssa Kohn
Operating her own bicycle tour and rental business for 8 years, Alyssa relished in sharing her love of cycling and the city of Minneapolis with many. While transitioning from being self-employed, she also works as a freelance Spanish translator.
Outside of work, she dabbles in many different types of cycling: cyclocross, bikepacking, gravel, mountain biking, commuting, and even some bike polo. While partial to cycling, she also enjoys running, hiking, cross country skiing and snowboarding. As a native Minnesotan, it’s unsurprising that she loves winter. You can read about her cycling and multi-modal adventures on her blog, cagefreed.bike.