Alison Tetrick is a former World Tour pro road racer turned gravel cyclist, who won Unbound Gravel in her very first attempt.
In this interview, Allison opens up about her journey from biochemist to pro cyclist, shares her powerful story of recovering from a traumatic brain injury, and discusses her passion for getting more women to the start line.
We talk about everything from mental strategies for endurance events to why gravel racing offers such a unique sense of freedom and adventure.
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Finding Freedom With Gravel Racing
After racing on the Women’s World Tour until 2017, Alison found herself drawn to gravel racing. Her first gravel race? None other than Unbound, which she won in her first attempt. When asked what draws her to gravel, Allison explains:
“Gravel is adventure. It’s freedom. I think you’re getting off the beaten path. It’s like-minded people there… there’s a place for everybody in that sport and there’s more inclusivity and opportunity.”
The Mental Game of Endurance Racing
As both a master’s degree holder in clinical psychology and an accomplished endurance athlete, Alison offers unique insights into the mental challenges of long-distance events. She shares one of her favorite mantras, taught to her by mentor Selene Yeager: “Forward progress, take care of yourself.”
“No matter how good you feel, it’s not going to last. And no matter how bad you feel, it’s not going to last,” Ali explains. “I love learning who I am that day and talking to myself a lot… you can go into the darkness in there, but there’s always this light of ‘wow, I’m really strong.'”
Overcoming Adversity
Perhaps one of the most powerful moments in our conversation was when Alison opened up about her traumatic brain injury from a racing crash in 2010. The injury not only impacted her physically but led to a profound journey of self-discovery and mental health awareness. This experience has shaped her approach to both cycling and life:
“I learned that I’m not just a bike rider and I remembered everything else I was like you know I’m a scientist, I’m a storyteller, I am a daughter… now I’m a wife, I’m a sister… and I’m a good friend.”
Getting More Women to the Start Line
Today, Alison is passionate about growing women’s participation in cycling, particularly in gravel events. She’s leading initiatives to get more women to events like Unbound and offers this advice to those considering their first big event:
“Control your controllables… But I think the most courageous people are the people that just start, like just starting something. So I think that’s like my biggest advice is start, get to that start line and know how brave you are to be there and be proud of yourself for that.”
What’s Next for Allison?
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Ali, with plans to ride across the Andes in Patagonia for charity, compete in various gravel events, and even race in Scotland. She’s also launching a gravel retreat focused on personal growth and endurance training.
Connect With Alison
👉 Instagram: @amtetrick
👉 AMT Bandanas: https://saga-ventures.myshopify.com/
👉 Gravel Retreat: https://locomotivcoaching.com/creative-minds-gravel-retreat
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About The Host
Kristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.
She’s also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runs Rascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.
She’s been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.
IG: @femme_cyclist