Sami Sauri has carved out an unconventional path in cycling—moving from fixed-gear racing to gravel adventures to filmmaking—and she's built a life where the bike is a tool for exploration rather than competition. In this conversation, she breaks down how to start your own adventures regardless of fitness level or budget, and shares hard-won lessons from epic trips across Route 66, the Trans-Labrador Highway, and remote islands in the Atlantic.
Key Takeaways
- Start small and progress gradually—don't jump straight into Route 66 or three-peak challenges. Begin with trips in your comfort zone and build from there
- Your bike's cost and specs don't matter nearly as much as comfort and confidence—people complete amazing adventures on cheap bikes with minimal gear
- The gravel and adventure cycling community welcomes all fitness levels and backgrounds, unlike road cycling's hierarchical gatekeeping around kit, speed, and category rankings
- Combining multiple passions (cycling + surfing, cycling + photography, cycling + art) creates stronger storytelling and opens new creative possibilities
- Women-specific camps and inclusive spaces matter because they remove the psychological barriers that keep people from trying new experiences, even when they have the physical ability
Expert Quotes
"Stop tiny like do little trips, manage your gear however's more comfortable for you... start with your comfort zone and don't go way too out there and then progress bit by bit."
"If you don't know and you don't go and experience it you don't know... if they're fast for you they will wait for you and the other way around maybe you're the first one and you wait for them."
"The gravel is not that competitive it's about more exploration and just like opening your eyes and your everything to a new place."