Our Team is Growing! Meet Heidi Curtes, Audaxity’s New Ride Ambassador

Each day, Audaxity gains speed, and we’re thrilled to introduce our newest team member: Heidi Curtes! As our Ride Ambassador, Heidi will play a key role in engaging, inspiring, and supporting the ride. With more than 25 years of cycling experience and a spirit fueled by adventure, Heidi’s already shifting gears to make the inaugural ride unforgettable.

Heidi believes that everyone who can ride a bike should ride a bike. “It’s not just great for your health and the planet, it’s pure joy on two wheels,” she says. Her bike résumé includes everything from triathlons and duathlons to road, mountain, and long-distance racing. She has even mastered cyclocross, where riders tackle mud, sand, grass, and pavement in a single race. Beyond the finish line—Heidi says her real passion is helping others get comfortable on their bikes. “It’s important to meet people where they are at, and I enjoy helping people get familiar with their equipment. Whether it’s learning how to travel with their bike, load it onto a bike rack, or wear their gear properly.”

Before joining Audaxity, Heidi spent 10 years working at Wheel & Sprocket, one of the Midwest’s premier bike shops. One moment that still spins her wheels: a college student arrived wearing flip-flops, hoping to learn how to ride. Heidi didn’t miss a beat —she handed over her own shoes and gave a crash course right in the parking lot! A few days later, the student rode her bike back to the shop to thank Heidi and show her how she had mastered it. Moments like these fuel Heidi’s drive to support others.

Now at Audaxity, Heidi has hit the ground running with big goals. Her vision for year one?  Bringing together over 1,000 riders on August 17 for a safe, spirited, and community-driven experience that will keep participants coming back year-after-year. Her strategy?  “Word of mouth. Once one rider gets a tailwind of excitement, the rest follow,” she says.

Heidi’s adventures go far beyond handlebars and helmets. She speaks Spanish, has explored Japan, Australia, Scotland, Hungary, Spain—you name it. “Each location is unique, but it’s amazing to see that no matter where you visit, the language of cycling is universal,” she says. She also enjoys running and skiing and credits sports for grounding her as she navigated new places throughout her life.

Helping people fundraise is a big part of Heidi’s role, and she encourages people to think outside of the box. “I have chickens, and I used to give away the eggs to friends and neighbors, but with the price of eggs going up, I realized I could put them to good use,” she says. Now, she sells her eggs and donates the proceeds to Audaxity. “If you’re not sure where to start, think about what is already a part of your daily life and pedal from there,” she says.  And if you’re still spinning your wheels, she’s happy to help brainstorm!

“Not everyone wants to—or can—ride a bike, and that’s okay,” she says. “There are so many ways to get involved. You can volunteer and help set up and take down the event, cheer on riders along the route, or hand out water and snacks. The energy and support of volunteers are just as important as the riders themselves.”

Heidi is inspired by the mission of Audaxity—to raise critical funds to support cancer researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center. “The stories I hear are powerful. Everyone knows someone affected by cancer. This is more than just riding a bike—it’s about leaving cancer in the dust.”

We’re excited to have Heidi on board and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on our community. Whether you’re ready to crank the pedals, cheer from the sidelines, or hatch your own creative way to support the cause, there’s a spot in this ride for you—and Heidi’s here to help you clip in.