Why Friends of FoCo Fondo?
Friends of FoCo Fondo believe that the world is better when we have access to bikes. Whether you want to use them for transportation, exercise, competition, or just sheer joy, bikes are transformative. They are a three-way hex wrench for connection, self-belief, and reveal the power in choice...and they are just really f***ing fun.
In order to fulfill this belief, Friends of FoCo Fondo seeks to:
break down barriers that prevent riders from fully joining this space, especially underrepresented groups across racial, gender, ability/ableness, age, and economic barriers
create ample opportunity and resources to guide new riders in this space
work to raise up new local leadership in this space
create consistent opportunities in Northern Colorado for connection via the bike across typical Venn diagram groups. We’ve been doing the work— visit the Initiatives to see just how.
Friends of FoCo Fondo was born out of FoCo Fondo’s Initiatives, which have been steadily expanding since it’s early years. We hope to bring the programs more stability and deeper roots, while enabling a more secure growth path through Friends of FoCo Fondo, benefitting all people who ride bikes or want to ride bikes.
What a BOD (Board of Directors)
When you take ideas and turn them into action, the magic can begin. Meet the crew donating their life energy:
Whitney Allison (she/her), President
Whitney Allison stumbled into collegiate cycling back in 2007 and has never looked back. She’s been racing professionally since 2013 and on the gravel side since 2021. No stranger to jumping in, she co-founded the Fort Follies in 2012 and ran the Fort Follies Gran Prix in 2013, a women’s $10k prize purse crit at the finish line of the men’s only Pro Challenge…they went on to add a women’s race through 2019. She got roped into FoCo Fondo when founding partners Zack Allison and Jake Arnold needed day-of organizational support in 2016. Since 2020, Whit and Zack have been at the helm of FoCo Fondo, letting it grow and evolve to what it is today, including the inaugural programming of Friends of FoCo Fondo. This trifecta of professional racing, FoCo Fondo and Friends of FoCo Fondo is her flow state. She believes that a bit of funds to the right person or group at the right time can have huge, lasting impact.
Zack Allison, (he/him), Vice President
Zack started racing road as a junior on the east coast and quickly fell into the cycling lifestyle. Moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, to attend Colorado State University and continuing to race collegiately and on elite amateur and then professional road racing teams. Getting bored of the same roads in Fort Collins, he started darting off the beaten path onto dirt and gravel, just to explore. In 2015, in an attempt to share the crazy exploratory experiences of mixed terrain riding, he founded FoCo Fondo. Now, Zack spends his time training, racing, expanding and evolving FoCo Fondo, bike fitting, coaching, and continuing to bring everything cycling has to offer to the masses.
Jess Cooper (she/her), Secretary
Jess’s cycling journey began as a spectator at criteriums before becoming a recreational mountain biker, gravel-er, and commuter. Far from a professional cyclist, it was her tenacity, project management skills, and organizational talents that led her to FoCo Fondo, where she plays a support role wherever she is needed. With a background in nonprofit consulting, Jess brings a wealth of governance experience to the Board of Directors. In the daytime hours, she is a Senior Project Manager at Bonfire Effect, where she manages the enterprise account for a global science company.
Lauren Mehl (she/her), Treasurer
Lauren got her first bike as an adult in 2012 and her love of bikes has grown exponentially since that time, finding her love in the world of dirt - gravel, mountain biking, and bikepacking. Lauren was brought on in 2022 to assist the co-owners of FoCo Fondo with various behind-the-scenes tasks and helped fully launch the Leadership Program and co-produce our first Outdoor and Lifestyle Expo. She is also the co-founder of the local community group, Queer+ Bikes which helps facilitate all bodies, all genders, all people on all bikes and encourages everyone to find joyful movement and community. Lauren has an extensive background working and volunteering with non-profit organizations and in program and project management across industries.
Logan Von Bokel (he/him), PR
Logan has worked in the cycling industry for over a decade, holding positions in event management, marketing, and journalism. Deeply involved with FoCo Fondo since its inception, Logan has been a participant, volunteer, and public relations advisor, helping to grow the event's impact within the local and global cycling communities. He operates an international communications agency, working with brands to develop their marketing blueprint and elevate their presence in the global market.
Leadership Team
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Alejandra Sullivan (she/her)
BIPOC Leader
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B Steele (he/they)
Gender Expansive Leader
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Sam Summers (she/her)
Para Leader
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Janna Dickerson (she/her)
Women’s Leader