State Bicycle Co. headed over to Midway, Utah, to catch up with Keegan Swenson, a World Champ, multiple-time winner at Leadville, and Lifetime Grand Prix winner, to see how his talents translate to riding a track bike up a mountain.
Swenson recently signed with Specialized Bicycles after many dominant years riding for Santa Cruz. The move from Santa Cruz marked a big shift for a rider who is often hailed as one of the most consistently impressive in endurance XC and gravel racing, but this latest video is a little different…
If you’re not familiar, State Bicycle Co.’s “Riding Fixed, Up Mountains, With Pros” series serves as the company’s opportunity to connect with elite cyclists in what they consider the most authentic setting possible: during a ride, between breaths, deep in the pain cave. The format features real dialogue, less-than-ideal route selections, and concludes each episode with a bit of flair at the top of each climb.
State Bicycle Co.
Sure, he’s got chops on the gravel bike and MTB, but how can Swenson hang when there’s no way to coast, and only a single gear to use for the entire ascent? More importantly, can he save his energy for some karaoke at the top of the climb?
With the usual topics of conversation in this series, Keegan opens up about racing, training, gear, and the mindset you need to handle the pressures of being the best endurance cyclist. There’s also a special surprise ending you don’t want spoiled, so make sure you get to the end.