This week on the podcast Kathryn & Kristi chat with former professional cyclist Mari Holden. Mari confesses she has been in love with the sport of cycling since getting her first bike as a kid. This love took her all the way to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where she won a silver medal in the time trial. Mari spent her professional cycling career racing on the road across Europe and North America in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. She talks about the changes she has seen in the cycling industry since then, and reiterates why it is important that we keep advocating for more media coverage of women’s racing to continue to bring exposure and attention to women’s cycling. 

After retiring from her own athletic career, Mari worked as the director for team Twenty20, and now serves as the Community Director for USA Cycling. She is passionate about diversifying the sport and getting more people, especially young women, on bikes. 

Mari took part in her first gravel race this year at the Last Best Ride. She tells us what she loves most about gravel, and how embracing a new discipline of cycling has helped keep her excited about the sport. 

Follow Mari on Instagram @msmariholden and learn more about the USAC Let’s Ride initiative at https://usacycling.org/article/learn-about-lets-ride

https://gearjunkie.com/biking/mari-holden-cycling-pinarello-film

Support our Partners:

Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL at https://www.previnex.com/

Learn More and Register for our Feisty 40+ Strong Retreat: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-40-strong-retreat/

Sign Up for our 2025-2026 Winter Training for Cyclists Program: https://feisty.co/winter-training-for-cyclists/ and use code girlsgonegravel

Register for our 2026 Gravel Camp and Bike Mechanic School: https://feisty.co/events/gravel-camp-x-bike-mechanic-school/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/