María Ögn Guðmundsdóttir

How and when did you start cycling?

Besides cycling as a kid, I bought myself a good mountain bike in 2008 as a present to myself for giving birth to my oldest daughter – she’s now seventeen years old. I signed up for a big mountain bike race, it poured with rain the whole time, and at the finish, I got the strongest feeling of joy, all covered in and "eating" mud, and I have been hooked on cycling since then.

How did you discover gravel cycling?

I have been riding my cross-country mountain bike and my cyclocross bike on gravel roads since I got into cycling. So when the industry started to make specific gravel bikes, I of course knew the N+1 rule, and got myself a new bike. So I would say that the gravel found me on the Icelandic unpaved roads.

What does it mean for you to be a part of the Café du Cycliste Gravel team?

I'm super grateful, but it also adds hugely to my self-esteem that a brand like Café wants me to be on their team. I'm getting older – and of course wiser – and I can feel how my body and mind are starting to change, so it adds to my confidence and makes me proud of myself to belong to this French family.

What races are you anticipating the most?

This season my main focus will be on the Traka 360 in May and the Badlands ultra race in September.

What do you think about the evolution of women’s gravel and women’s cycling in general?

Love it, I freaking love it! When I started cycling there were not many women riding bikes in Iceland, and I felt responsible for encouraging more women into bikes. For many years, I organised many women-only beginner classes, events, trips, travels, and so on and on. Now, the biggest women's only social ride had 240 Icelandic women cycling together on a Sunday morning in May. Women are finally taking their time for themselves and riding together. The cycling industry has also taken a big step toward more women-specific cycling products, which also is a big encouragement.

One of your best race memories

No doubt the four days through Masai Mara in the Migration stage race in Kenya last year with the Café du Cycliste team. It's an experience that is hard to describe. For me, everything was so unique it offered so many challenges on and off the bike. I of course loved the everyday challenge of riding, the scenery, the animals, and the community of people living there. But I somehow loved the toughness I had to face off the bike: the circumstances, getting ready for the next day, getting some sleep, fueling my body, and all that fuss, I loved it.

Any pro tips for race preparation?

Get everything ready the afternoon of the day before the race, latest, because then you can eat your dinner slowly and relax the evening before, and you’re more calm going to sleep before the race.