A woman wearing a white climbing helmet with an orange strap and a burgundy long-sleeve athletic shirt with 'GRAPHA' printed on the arm, standing outdoors in front of a blurred brick building.

A cyclist wearing a white and black cycling jersey, black shorts, a white helmet, and dark sunglasses, smiling outdoors on a dirt path with grass and sky in the background.

A cyclist wearing a white helmet, white and pink cycling jersey, and dark shorts rides a road bike on a paved mountain road with pine trees on both sides.

A close-up lifestyle shot of a woman wearing a white Smith cycling helmet and matching reflective sunglasses, adjusting the chin strap of the helmet.

Pro Cyclist, Endurance Racer, Coach & Outdoor Lover, meet Ellen Campbell

There’s a certain kind of athlete who doesn’t just train for the finish line — they train for the question.

Our newest Outdoor Lover, Ellen Campbell, grew up in Durango, Colorado — 6,500 feet above sea level, surrounded by desert canyons, mountain rivers, and high alpine singletrack. She climbed her first fourteener at four years old. She’s been asking “but what if I can do it?” ever since.

Tell us about where you grew up and how the outdoors first became part of your life.

I grew up in Durango, CO which is in the four corners region of Colorado. It’s a place surrounded by desert, rivers, and high alpine, and the access to outdoor spaces is unmatched. Growing up, my parents were fairly active outside and I was raised doing lots of things in the outdoors. We would go camping in the desert in the spring or fall, or go on hikes into the mountains. I climbed (with lots of help) my first fourteener as a four year old, so I would say from a very young age I was exploring the outdoors!

What first drew you to cycling, and when did you realize it was becoming more than just a hobby?

My original attraction to cycling and bikes was friends. I actually didn't love cycling much as a kid in middle school but my parents signed me up for Durango DEVO, our local development program, and I met some other kids there that I became friends with. So I only went to the practices to be with those friends. In high school I got convinced to go with our high school league team to a race in Fruita, CO and I was terrified but once I finished I was hooked. So basically from the early years of high school, I started to ride more regularly and on my own outside of the planned practices, and by the end of high school I knew I wanted to race at a higher level and be competitive in college.

You've competed across a variety of cycling disciplines. What do you enjoy most about exploring different ways of riding and racing?

I think what’s so cool about cycling is that there are so many ways to do it. And no one way is right or wrong. I love that depending on what you’re feeling or excited about, you can go down that path with cycling. Sometimes I love the idea of going fast downhill and maybe I feel more inclined to mountain bike more because of that. And then other times, I get excited about riding to a destination and it sounds fun to make a long route from point A to B. I think thats the beauty of cycling, there’s such a large variety in the sport and there’s no one way to be a cyclist.

What is it about endurance events that keeps you coming back for more?

I am a big completion person. Once I decide I’m going to do something, I really, really want to finish it or see it through. So I think I’ve found some attraction to endurance events because they are these big, daunting routes or challenges, and I really want to get to the finish line. I generally lean towards the question of “but what if I can do it?”

It seems simple but I think there’s something about saying I’m gonna race 200 miles or 100 miles at 10k feet that just draws me in and makes me want to just finish those types of feats.

Community seems to be an important part of outdoor culture. What role have the people around you played in your journey as a cyclist?

The community aspect of racing and riding bikes is the main driver of why I am who I am in this sport today. For me, I only got into bikes because I liked being around other people doing it. I also love the feeling of finishing a really hard race or ride and getting to see the people you care about at the finish. Sharing those movements and telling your people how it all felt and played out is huge. In a way when we do really hard things together, like 200 miles in Kansas, we create a very unique bond over that hard challenge. Cycling is also a bit complex, it requires lots of equipment and access. To be a professional racer, you need lots of support from people. So on top of loving the community I’m surrounded by, I’m also incredibly grateful for all their support because without help, friends, sponsors and just people in the sport, I wouldn’t be able to do this as a job.

You've spent time coaching and helping others build confidence on bikes. What do you find most rewarding about supporting the next generation of riders?

I love watching skills click for people. With my workshop series for women, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch people figure things out and build confidence. I love watching folks unlock something on the bike and just to see the smile that comes across their face makes me so happy. Whether it’s kids or adults or whoever, being able to help others ride or gain more skills on the bike feels like such a privilege. Bikes are for everyone. And it’s also a life long hobby and sport, so if I can help make that a reality for someone, I’m game!

When you're not racing, how do you like to spend your time outdoors?

Honestly my favorite way to be outside lately is to garden and sit and eat a meal. I also love to walk my dog down to the river by our house for a little dip or a sit. We camp throughout the summer between bike races and I think that’s also one of my favorite ways to be outside.

Durango sits over 6,500 feet above sea level, where the sun is strong and the conditions can change quickly. Between training, racing, sweat, dust, and long days outdoors, how do you keep your skin healthy year-round?

Yes, sun protection in Durango is crucial and sometimes a hard thing to keep up with! I love to keep it simple because I’m always on the go or getting dirty from riding or the river. I have struggled to make sure my face and skin are protected over the years, especially when I’m out riding or on an adventure. Now that I found Utu, I love the small packaging that allows me to carry it with me, even in my jersey pocket. And because my skincare routine is so simple, I love that Utu is more than just sunscreen. I use 2 products and one of those is Utu. I also use hats, sunglasses, and try to cover up as best I can when I’m outside a lot.

You can be fiercely competitive and deeply community-minded at the same time. How do you balance the desire to perform with the relationships and camaraderie that make cycling so special?

This balance is tricky but ultimately, I surround myself with people that are my cheerleaders, and I am theirs. Of course, we are competitors and we want each other to do well. Off the course and in training, riding with strong riders and competitors is only going to make me stronger. And happier. Like I said, I’m in this sport because of the people in my community and the people I race with! I think it feels a lot better to be stoked for the people you are competing with because ultimately anything else is a waste of energy. And you are only going to get that stroke back!

Looking ahead, what adventures, goals, or experiences are you most excited to pursue—on or off the bike?

Right now, my biggest adventure that I’m excited about is bike-packing home from the Leadville 100 MTB race in August. My plan is to ride my bike home via the Colorado Trail and take however many days I feel like to make it! It will be a nice, slower way to enjoy the high alpine and fun single track in my home-town area.