How a Brevard Cycling Alum and a Local Wheel Maker Joined Forces

The Tour Divide is a brutal 2,700-mile test of human endurance. To survive it, you need absolute grit and dedicated support to help you get there. For Brevard College cycling alum Rachel Pageau, tackling this monumental challenge became a story of local connection to a community and the trails that make hard things possible. 

The partnership between Rachel and Gulo Composites is a perfect match born right on the trails they love. They saw an awesome opportunity to team up and show what an epic race like the Tour Divide, a dedicated rider, and high performance wheels can do together. Gulo makes wheels designed specifically to survive Pisgah's brutal terrain, giving local riders the confidence to push their limits. But they don't just build great gear, they actively take care of the dirt we ride on. As a dedicated Pisgah Area SORBA industry partner, Gulo is giving back as the partner sponsor of the Wash Creek Dig In to support several trail maintenance projects in North Mills River.

"As a small local WNC company, we love supporting riders who are connected to our community and giving back to the incredible trails right in our backyard," the Gulo team notes. "Rachel's connection to Brevard and her commitment to this event made her someone we were excited to get behind."

Rachel’s resilience needed in a race like the Tour Divide was forged on the trails in the Pisgah National Forest. Because Rachel is known to confidently charge descents, Gulo equipped her with their GMT 30 wheelset. Weighing just 1,215 grams yet built for rugged trail use, these wheels offer the ultimate balance of strength and reliability for Rachel, her fully loaded rig, and her trail dog, Cashew.

Back in Brevard, the Gulo office is completely glued to the screen, actively "dot-watching" her race progress on Trackleaders. Everyone can follow her progress by clicking here. She is currently five days in and pushing South through Montana. 

Ultimately, this partnership highlights how special the trails in Pisgah are and how they prepare riders for unforgettable adventures. By investing in local athletes and local trails, companies like Gulo ensure that riders have the tools and resources to achieve these adventures. As Rachel ticks off the miles, she carries a piece of Pisgah with her.