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Meet Our Ambassadors!

The Best We Have To Offer

Brand Ambassadors of D&D represent the best of what we have to offer. The ideal D&D Ambassador is a natural leader, uplifting team member, and a cycling enthusiast. Our brand Ambassadors assist us in making the magic happen at our events throughout the year, provide photo content and help us get others as geeked about cycling as we are! Limited spots available. Apply to become a D&D Ambassador.

Holly

Current bikes: 2020 Liv Intrigue Advanced, 2017 Liv Hail, and 2018 Trek Farley Ex8 fattie.

When I started cycling: I started riding a mountain bike in 2016 on my mom’s 1990 Schwinn when a friend asked me to ride and quickly realized I needed a new bike. I’ll never forget how at the time I couldn’t believe I spent $700 on a Liv Tempt...who spends that much money on a bike?  I quickly became addicted to the challenge of jumping through the air and technical trail riding and joined several mtb groups in my area. I now am the VP of Mid-Michigan Mountain Biking Association, leader of WHOA (Women Helping Others Achieve) Mountain Bike, have my professional mountain bike instructor certification thru PMBIA and lead clinics, am a local Liv Ambassador, as well as the trail designer and trail coordinator for the new Ingham Conservation District mtb trail in Mason.  I placed 1st in my class for the Michigan Mountain Bike Association Champion Point Series in 2018. Now, I am on the team of the coveted D&D Ambassadors and feel so grateful! Whoohoo!

Why I love cycling: I’ve always loved nature and spending time in the woods hiking and backpacking. Mountain biking takes me to places that I may not have gone by foot.  I love a challenge, pushing myself to do something that was scary at first, mentoring and supporting others in the sport.

A person who inspires me: Any kid I see on the trail that is trying their hardest to get up that hill or over an obstacle on a bike that weighs probably half their weight. 

Where you can find me:  I live just south of Lansing in Mason, Michigan, but I travel around the country for my job as a federal investigator.

Ignacio

Current bikes: 2018 Giant Trance 1 and Ridley Orion 

When I started cycling: I started cycling in Elementary School.  I had a paper route, so all my money I earned went to buy a bike.  I used layaway to purchase the coolest bike from a bike store.  I rode it every chance I got.  This love followed me thru college at MSU where I had my second bike.  I have had many more since then.

Why I love cycling:  I love cycling because of two things, the sense of adventure and accomplishment.  The sense of adventure arises when you have the freedom to explore beautiful woods or along a trail to find a new ice cream stand.  The sense of accomplishment is the realization you can go long distances by yourself.  You can travel 1 mile to 100 miles plus all under your own power.  This drive to explore and ability to do this all under your own power is why I get on my bike every chance I can.  

A person who inspires me: I fortunate to have so many inspirational people in my life.  I cannot narrow it down to a single one but, any person who is passionate and committed inspires me.  Their drive and passion makes me work harder on my goals and passions. 

Where you can find me: Doing a couple laps at Olsen Park after work or riding the trails with my family. On the weekends I will venture out to DTE or any other place to get my cycling fix.

Jim 

Current bikes: Trek Procaliber, GIANT Reign Advanced

When I started cycling: About 8 yrs old. Seriously started riding about 20 yrs ago when I started adventure racing and doing triathlons. 

Why I love cycling: I love cycling. I love the gear, the bikes, the technology, the simplicity, the cool places and people and excitement of pushing your body on two wheels.

A person who inspires me: My wife Michelle inspires me. Her constant energy to explore, learn and be active is very motivating.

Where you can find me: Now days you can find me on the trails. I mostly mountain bike. Locally I enjoy Brighton Recreation Area, and the New DTE trails.

Michelle

Current bikes: Liv Pique, Trek ProCaliber 9.7

When I started cycling: I’ve been cycling since I was a kid. As an adult I began doing triathlons in college and in 2011 I bought my first mountain bike. I’ve been hooked ever since!

Why I love cycling: I love everything about riding. I love the cool bikes, being outdoors, the change of seasons, the way my muscles move and feel, the clothes, planning for trips both local and far away. It’s not just biking to me, it’s a lifestyle we embrace.

A person who inspires me:  My husband Jim. He is an incredible athlete and an even better human. If you get the chance to know him you are truly lucky. He’s the kind of guy stories are told about. One in a million,rock solid. The kind of guy you can count on through thick and thin. To sum it up he’s got a good handshake- for me that still means something.

Where you can find me: FB @ Michelle Menchaca Dawson
Instagram #swimbikeclimb #Dawsonsway
Dawsonsway.com

Greg

Current bikes: Trek Fuel Ex8 29er, Motobecane Boris X5 fat bike

When I started cycling: 2012

Why I love cycling: It allows me to push myself far harder than I ever thought was possible. When I’m riding, I’m not thinking of anything else but being in the moment and reacting to the terrain. Riding forces you to focus one one thing, and drown out everything else. 

A person who inspires me: There are so many people in my life that inspire me that it’s hard to name one … so I will say that I am most inspired by watching someone progress. Whether it’s one of my kids landing a new trick snowboarding, or seeing a new rider clear a hill for the first time, that moment is always incredible to share. 

Where you can find me:  Milford MTB trail, Asst Coach of HV United MiSCA team, Head Coach Lakeland High School Snowboardcross team in the winter, Instagram @dadsondirt, blogging at www.dadsondirt.com and any Star Wars movie.

Darin

Current bikes: 2022 Giant Anthem and a 2020 Giant Defy

When I started cycling: 2012

Why I love cycling: I am a better person when I spend time on the bike because it is an oasis from the busyness of life. While cycling, my mind can wander and go places that seem to be harder and harder to find time to go to. Family cycling adventures have made me realize that kids are far more capable than what we give them credit for. It is super satisfying to watch kids remove the barriers that they put up in their mind and have the confidence to approach a section of trail that they may have previously thought they never would. This make you understand that we probably do the same thing in other areas of life. So, I love cycling because it helps me dream bigger in all facets of my life.

A person who inspires me: I am inspired by trail coordinators who put in loads of time and don’t ask to be recognized for it.

Where you can find me: The best place to look for me is in Highland Rec because I can ride from my house to the trail with very little road riding. You can also find me at a Huron Valley United Racing team ride. This is a club/team that my wife and a couple of others started to give kids in our area a team to compete with at the Fall MiSCA mountain bike racing series.

Limited Spots Available. Apply Now!