Alison Dunlap

How do you train for your sport?: I would say I ride my bike 90% of the time to train for cycling.  I also do some trail running in the winter and backcountry skiing.  But mostly I ride.  I mix it up by going on the road one day and trails the next and sometimes I’ll go out for a gravel grinder dirt road ride on my cross bike.  I also used to do a ton of weight lifting back when I was racing all over the world. 

Other sports/hobbies: I do a lot of indoor rock climbing.  I used to be a big climber back in college before racing took over my life.  Since I had my son Emmett I have gotten back into climbing as a way to be more social with friends.  We climb indoors every week and usually go out for dinner afterwards.  I love it.  Haven’t climbed outside in years and I’m ok with that.  I am also an avid cook.  I became a vegan about 8 years ago.  Now I call myself a cheatatarian.  I try to eat vegan but I cheat with cheese and yogurt and salmon occasionally.   But I love finding new ways to cook things without meat or dairy. 

Favorite JTree product: My most favorite product is the lip balm with sunscreen.  I have had blistered lips from long rides outside and long races and I can’t tell you how painful and miserable that is.  Using a lip balm with sunscreen has been a life saver!  And the JTree lip balms do not have any soy products which I really love.  The soy based lip balms make my lips irritated. 

 What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out: It is super important to get a coach.  Beginners make a lot of mistakes and waste a lot of time doing things incorrectly.  A coach can give you a training program that is effective and efficient.  Plus a coach is an expert in their sport.  They can answer any questions you might have.  There are many different price levels for coaching.  Even people that don’t want to compete can benefit from a coach. 

What’s your best “party” trick: Haha I don’t think I have one.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever won: Winning the 2001 MTB World Championships in Vail, CO, essentially my backyard, and only four days after 9/11 was the most powerful thing I’ve ever experienced on a bike.  I can still recall every moment of that race and it still brings tears to my eyes every time I talk about it. 

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