We are stoked to welcome the adventurous wild-child of gravel riding, Sami Sauri, to the YT Family.
If there’s anyone who lives and breathes adventure, it’s Sami. There are few areas of this world that the Spanish-born athlete hasn’t ventured on two wheels or surfed on her board. Hailing from Barcelona, Sami grew up in a city where riding a bike was a practical way of getting around. On board her single-speed fixie, Sami commuted around town as a courier but soon realized the advantages of living a life on two wheels.
“Having a fixed-gear bike saved me money, it was easy to maintain, and it allowed me to discover so many more places than a car could take me.”
From the age of 17, a strong desire to travel took hold, leading Sami into the realm of competitive crit racing. Having competed in Alleycat’s and Red Hook events worldwide, Sami secured brand sponsorship while growing a reputation as a formidable athlete. After years of riding only fixed-gear bikes, Sami bolstered her training with a road bike, leading to a new passion – endurance cycling.
In 2018, Sami Sauri ventured along Route 66 by bike. After pedaling some 2,500km over 25-days, Sami’s perspective would be forever changed. Deciding to quit her job and leave her home, Sami led a nomadic lifestyle for over a year, where her adventures would continue through the Canadian wilderness and far beyond.
Over the years, Sami has racked up thousands of kilometers by bike, and not just on the road. Her exploits have led her to the high altitudes of Bolivia’s dirt tracks and gravel paths and Iceland’s ever-changing landscapes and terrains. For these excursions, there was only one bike suitable for the task – the all-new YT SZEPTER.
Suffice to say, Sami has put in more hours on the new SZEPTER than anyone else by miles – literally. Her CORE 4 model trekked halfway across the world to the Bolivian mountains, where the relentless and rugged terrain was effectively mastered by the plush suspension and planted geometry of the SZEPTER.
“The SZEPTER was amazing in Bolivia! I couldn’t have taken a better bike as it was perfect for the rougher terrain. The bike was ideal for flowy downhill and wasn’t too heavy for going up either.”
Sami Sauri
Sami’s adventures are fuelled by human power, whether surfing waves or powering her bike near and far. As an explorer who spends less than 100-days a year at home, Sami still has some must-do events to tick off. As we edge closer to 2023, Sami’s sights are firmly set on the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya. This demanding 4-stage gravel event tests the physical and mental capacity of an athlete over 650km with 8,000m of elevation.
Facts about Sami
Doesn’t have a driving license
Spends 2/3 of the year travelling
Passionate surfer
Bikepacks with a travel-size cheese board set
Overcomes fatigue with dance music
Fan of true crime podcasts
Sami Sauri is YT’s first gravel ambassador, but don’t be surprised if you catch her slaying trails on her CAPRA or rallying XC courses on an IZZO. Multi-discipline and multi-talented, we’ve barely scratched the surface of this intrepid two-wheel explorer.
If you’re looking for awe-inspiring and authentic adventure content, head over to Sami’s website or check out her Instagram page.
