Pete Ylvisaker

Location:

I-O-W-A

Blog: Tatterdemalion

My first bike was: A ‘convertible’ hand-me-down from my sis. My parents told me it was also a boy’s bike, but I knew the top tube was just bolted on. The HORROR!

Best Race Result: Each year, I ride honorary DFL at the American Gothic Gravel Invitational to make sure everyone’s in, a fact I’m proud of.

Current Sponsors: TwinSix, The Crucible, Powerbar, Ale X Microbrew

My current bike(s): Sun Unicycle (still working on the juggling part), Schwinn Madison fixie, Redline Monocog Flite 29er, Cervelo One, Cervelo P3, 1997 Calois Comp (that’ll be in the landfill by the time you read this).

When I'm not riding I'm: Listening to my daughter’s violin and my son’s METAL, learning the ukulele, reading, plotting the next adventure, continuing my search for the world’s best pizza.

This year, I want to: Run the Superior Trail 100 and feel strong enough in the morning to ride Lutsen Mountain.

If you're ever in my area, check out: October’s annual American Gothic Gravel Invitational – it’s free and always will be.

The cycling world needs more: Underground racing. No fees, no swag, no finishers’ medals, no B.S. Just sweat, bugs in your teeth, the occasional road rash and some oxygen-starved quads.

Preferred type of racing: Cycling, running, triathlon, road, dirt, gravel, ‘cross, on-course, off-course, during the morning commute, against you or the clock… racing is racing.

If I could ride anywhere: I would. In the meantime, I’ll ride whatever, whenever, wherever. The Colorado Trail and Iowa gravel via single-speed are great places to start.

You should do this everyday: Wake up… or else.

Did you know: You can always quit? At least that’s what my mother keeps telling me. Don’t listen to Mom.