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One of the Hardest-Working Athletes in Cycling: Jess Cerra Leads ‘The Last Best Ride’

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Cooking, cycling, racing (MTB, road, and gravel), race directing — Jess Cerra does it all.

Jess Cerra is arguably one of the hardest-working athletes in cycling, putting herself through college, racing all over the world, working as a chef, starting her own nutrition bar company, and now, race directing.

Her new film centers around her mission of “The Last Best Ride,” a gravel event she puts on in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana, that goes far beyond a mere race.

Her motto? “You can compete, or you can complete.” Cerra uses this motto to encourage those who join that they can gain whatever it is they are seeking from racing, and from the mountains.

The race, which had its inaugural ride in 2021, offers a short course and long course (47 and 90 miles, respectively), and diverts 20% of race proceeds to a scholarship fund to support women pursuing post-secondary education and to give back to the community.

The full film is slated to launch today, Oct. 13.

Runtime: 5 minutes

Jess Cerra’s Bio

Jess Cerra in a navy jersey top and red bike shorts standing in a field next to her gravel bike, she is wearing a white helmet and smiling

  • Age: 39
  • Sport: professional cycling, mountain biking, off-road triathlons
  • Profession: business owner, pro cyclist, and race director
  • Achievements: XTERRA overall amateur national champion 2011; Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage 4 crit winner and green jersey overall 2018; Unbound Gravel 10th place finisher 2021
  • Next race: King Challenge on Oct. 16 (a cycling event that fundraises for people with brain injuries)
  • Fun fact: grew up with horses, can ride western and bareback.

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