Chad Cheeney is the co-founder of Durango Devo, a non-profit mountain bike program for kids in Durango, Colorado. Since the program began in 2006, Chad has coached thousands of young riders, including Sepp Kuss, Christopher Blevins, Sarah Sturm, and Howard Grotts. But beyond those who have gone on to become world title holding pros, many more have achieved the program’s central objective: becoming life long riders. Chad talks to Payson about why he wanted to start a development program out of college and why he prioritizes fun and exploration over structured training. 

They also talk about their shared memories of Durango Sweet Elite, a U25 team that was created for graduates of Fort Lewis College and alumni of Durango Devo. In 2013 when Chad was Team Manager, the roster included Payson, Sepp Kuss, Sarah Sturm, and Stephan Davoust. They discuss some of Chad’s unconventional coaching methods that cultivated memorable moments between the races, and how his emphasis on community and team building has carried over into the training practices of some of Durango’s most successful pros. They also talk about how his coaching has changed since he became a father, and the moment he learned that Sepp Kuss had won a stage at the Tour de France.

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