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Season 6 is HERE and Applications are officially open!

Where are we headed? Leadville 100 MTB // Are you nervous? Debating if this is for you? If so, you are exactly who we are looking for - take a chance on yourself and apply!

2026 Update

THE HONEST TRUTH

Often in life we don’t realize what we have accomplished until we take a step back and breathe. From the Ground Up started in 2021 as a way to connect with the new wave of riders coming into biking from the pandemic, (I mean we literally filmed with masks in S1), but wow has it taken us for a ride – pun intended. We never expected this project to inspire us, or the community as much as it has, and while that is incredible, it also started to feel like a responsibility. 

This is a passion project, a chance to learn, and a reminder to look out for and encourage one another. Whether in cycling, or in life – great things happen with belief and majority of the time that starts with someone else believing in you before you believe in yourself. You all believed in us as we learned to believe we could successfully pull this project each year. We made a TON of mistakes but have also created memories and friends that will last way beyond a TV show – needless to say, it has all been worth it.

Contrary to what you might be thinking right now, this isn’t an email about the project ending, but rather a gathering of our thoughts to do it right. My name is Alexey Vermeulen and if you don’t know me, I co-founded this project and race bikes professionally. Over 5 years we have put on FTGU and since year 3 it has been filmed entirely by a collection of my friends, people who want to put something special out in the world and see where it leads. In season 6, (yes, I have led you on, but it IS HAPPENING)…we are going back to Leadville, we are still supporting riders with everything they need, but we are officially a NON-PROFIT!

Our goal has always been to add to the sport without taking too much away and while relying on the support of cycling partners has worked, we want this to grow and spread way beyond cycling. The story of taking on something impossible, or standing up to a fear inside yourself starts with a change – and this is a change we needed. If you would like to support FTGU or know someone who might, check it all out here: LINK

So, to kick off season 6 applications – opening March 5th at 10am MST, prepare yourself, dream and most importantly know that someone believes in you, even if you don’t believe in yourself yet. www.fromthegroundup.bike

Ps. Many people apply, and we only pick 3! If you haven’t gotten into Leadville and still want to do it, please check out Boundless Coaching. They are behind the scenes making it possible for our athletes to prepare in a way few can! A note from them below, and if you have any doubts, just reach out to anyone in S5.

“Take on the Race Across the Sky with Boundless Coaching

In Season 5 of From the Ground Up, you watched Greta, Caleb, and Kimberly transform their cycling journeys with the support of Boundless Coaching. They trained, grew, and pushed themselves further than they ever thought possible — all the way to the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

If you're looking to experience the type of 1:1 coaching that Caleb, Greta, and Kimberly experienced, then you're in the right place!

Boundless Coaching is proud to be the Official Coaching Partner of the Leadville Race Series, and they still have a few LT100 MTB Guaranteed Entry + Coaching Packages available for 2026. These packages secure your spot in the legendary Race Across the Sky and pair it with expert 1:1 coaching to ensure you arrive confident, prepared, and ready to tackle the challenge.

If you’ve dreamed of lining up in Leadville, don’t wait — join the Boundless team and secure your opportunity for 2026! 

https://boundless10200.com/guaranteed-race-entries/lt100-guaranteed-entry”

Finally, a look back and a thank you to EVERYONE who has made this small project possible to this point. A special thank you to Victory Bicycle Studio, specifically Clark and Sean for making this happen the past two years, we are sad to see you go but can’t wait to see you at the races or online the next time we need a bike part. 

If you made it here, thank you for reading, thank you for inspiring and see you at the races!

Alexey and your FTGU Team

About From the Ground Up

From The Ground Up started as a project intended to inspire cyclists of all ability levels to step outside of their comfort zones. Heading into its 5th season, we have come to realize how important the power of community is when taking on monumental challenges. We are all capable of so much more than we know, but our true potential is only unlocked with the encouragement, and support of others.

Our overarching objective of this project is to help shorten the learning curve in cycling while helping guide riders who are new to the sport. With the help of our partners, each selected individual will receive ALL of the resources they need to take on this challenge. 

It all starts with an application. Are you ready to take a leap?

- Reviews from our family -

  • “What does FTGU mean to me, what did I learn? The easy quote is “We’re in Hell” .   FTGU pushed me like I never had been pushed before. It gave me confidence to keep pushing, to go until the tank is empty. Like the saying goes, it’s the journey, not the destination (although the finish line would have been preferable). I’ve had hard times, hard jobs, hard events hit me and my family. But FTGU showed me I can work through struggles, both physical and mentally. It gave me a newfound love of cycling, of pushing myself, of enjoying the people around me. I have never felt more free, and in control of anything than when I was descending down hills in Gunnison and Steamboat. Just me and my bike, speeding down hill, picking a lane, holding it, flinching over an inch or so to avoid rocks, finding the hardpack, feeling the air rush by, the thrill I felt, the joy I felt, all because of From The Ground Up. It made me love cycling even more.  Keep pushing forward. Hang on. Enjoy the ride. Hills suck.”

    - Richard Wright (S4)

  • "The urge was real to ask AI to create a quote about my FTGU experience because I don’t think the human vocabulary can really capture it. From The Ground Up wasn’t just about becoming a cyclist or crossing the finish line at SBT GRVL (which remains the accomplishment in life which I’m most proud of). It was about uncovering pieces of myself I didn’t know were missing (and some that I knew were long gone), processing all the real-life shit while pushing myself beyond so many self-enforced limitations, and realizing that every victory and setback can be shared with community. Kristen, Lou, and Rich became my humans—the ones who remind me that every win is ours, every hardship we face together, and every adventure is just better when we ride through it side by side. Without them (and the entire FTGU community!) I could never have discovered the strength to redefine my limits or found the courage to move forward."

    - Brandilee Coon (S4)

  • "From the ground up showed me that I can reach goals that seem unimaginable, that strangers can become the friends you never knew you needed, and that I can experience joy that I didn’t think was possible anymore.  Also, the quote that isn’t from me but I think sums it up pretty great is from Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird   “I wanted you to see what real courage is... It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

    - Kristen Myers (S4)

  • "To me, FTGU is more than a fancy bike, some cool swag, finding out your ass looks great in licra and a camera in your face. It’s the connections homeboy! Connections between random people brought together by a random circumstance. A commonality in struggle through training, through adversity, with fighting battles on and off the bike, physically…mentally…emotionally. These connections have forever changed my soul. The connections are what makes this project so amazing, that make the experience so unique and special."

    - Lou Martinez (S4)

  • “FTGU transformed my life as a 37-year-old mother entering the world of mountain biking. The documentary beautifully captures my journey from novice to conquering the toughest MTB race in the US. With support from coaches & teammates, I not only mastered the technicalities but discovered strength within. Reaching the summit of Columbine Mountain symbolized triumph and —it was conquering self-doubt. This isn't just about biking; it's a testament to human resilience. From the Ground Up gave me renewed self-confidence and the courage to embrace challenges head-on. Grateful for this life-changing experience and the incredible individuals who made it possible."

    - Megan Mouser (S3)

  • "FTGU season 3 was a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience. It wasn’t just Leadville or mountain biking, it was the process and, more importantly, the people. Ryan and Alexey, and their team, have created a family of riders who will always have this amazing shared experience. On the personal side, taking on this challenge allowed me to tap into my competitive beast that was in hibernation for a little while. On the top of the list, each rider was given a platform where their perseverance and determination could have a ripple effect, letting anyone doubting their abilities know conquering something unimaginable is possible."

    - Kawika Mitchell (S3)

  • "FTGU is for those who won’t stop. Those who are willing to dive into the deepest darkest parts of themselves and find the light to lead them. Those who sneak smiles through the grit. I found that long before crossing the finish line of Leadville with the help of my FTGU community and friends. Best experience (and toughest) of my life!"

    - Brindley Faile (S3)

  • "The project gave me a lot more than I could have ever asked for - a newfound love for the outdoors, the confidence to chase seemingly impossible goals, and a chance to be a part of a great community on and off the bike."

    - Mohnish Chakravarti (S3)

  • “This project is lifechanging, so fun, gets you out of your comfort zone, it’s hard, but its good. The ripple effect it has had on my life is so worth it. It builds character, it allows me to say yes to other things that I typically would intimidated by and it has just given me confidence to embrace more fun in life. I will forever value this project. If you are scared to apply, just do it. Have fun with it and say hell yes to your life! This is a way to begin again.”

    -       Rachel Crain (S2) 

  • “One thing that really surprised me about this project is the community that you become a part of. The amount of people supporting you throughout this project and beyond is amazing. They all want you to succeed, and you can feel that.”

    -       Johanna Appel (S2)

  • “I have been places I did not know existed in myself, if you had told me in early March that I would be sitting here in Leadville, CO in August and that I would have even attempted any kind of ride in these mountains, I would have told you, you were crazy. I needed to establish within myself that I could do it”

    - Shawna Anderson (S1)

  • “This project has been more than life changing, I have learned a lot about myself. I have never felt so empowered. Through this bike I have gained so much freedom in my life. All of the struggles that came about throughout this journey have made me more mentally tough and I feel like I have become a better version of myself.”

    - Roberta Nuñez (S1)

  • "I am in awe that I did what I did. I still remember the first day that Ryan and Alexey came over and they handed me a pair of bike shorts - and I didn’t know which was the front or the back. In such a short time, to be at such a humbling race, good on me, but more over good on them for trusting me and putting that effort into getting me ready."

    - Enzo Moscarella (S1 + S2)