Danielle Larson

My background is mostly in track and field. I was a collegiate division one heptathlete and then after college I competed in ballroom dancing for many years. But cycling is now my profession, my love, and my outlet. Cycling has taken me across the United States and brought me to my new home here in Bentonville, Arkansas. It has taken me to mountain tops and river bottoms. It has shown me the loamy trails of northern Washington, the red clay of the Alabama bayou, and through the crystallised snow-covered frozen tundra of northern Wisconsin. Nature is a magical place, and a bike is the perfect vehicle for exploring its depths.

Gravel riding to me means I get to ride my bike everywhere! It means I get to fly through the trees on single track, climb the switch backs of a beautiful paved mountain pass, and then turn off-course to explore an abandoned forest road - all in the same ride! Gravel also means very few cars, and riding three abreast chatting with my
friends. A particularly unique aspect of gravel is lining up with everyone from former world tour pros to the weekend warriors, to the beer chugging here-for-the-party folks. It’s fun and there is room for everyone.

I love racing and I’m particularly excited to race the Traka in Spain. I have never been to Europe, so I am particularly excited to see the countryside, as well as find a place to do some dancing. I plan to teach my teammates to rumba, I hope they are ready. I love visiting new places and experiencing new cultures. My goal for this project is to illuminate all the things that make gravel a place for everyone. It is also my intent to pedestal the women that are fierce, fast, and fearless in cycling. Women are amazing. We face unprecedented obstacles in sport across the board and yet we persevere with style, grace, and lovely calves.