When Alexandra Charles lines up at the start of a race, she’s not just pedaling for a podium—she’s riding for something bigger. At just 18 years old, this Midway-based athlete is already shaking up the endurance scene, one dusty trail and gravel grind at a time.
Her journey into mountain biking started a little unconventionally. “By the time I started high school, my whole family was in the biking scene—except me,” Alexandra says with a laugh. Her parents were ride leaders, her brothers raced in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), and she was deep into biathlon. But when the pressure to compete in biathlon outweighed the joy, Alexandra made a pivot. “I didn’t love mountain biking at first either, but the community pulled me in,” she says. Soon, she was riding with varsity girls and climbing her way to the top of the NICA field. The spark had been lit.
That spark turned into a flame during her junior year, thanks to a YouTube video featuring professional cyclist Sofia Villafane. “She was talking about her journey—and it was filmed in Midway,” Alexandra recalls. “I pictured myself in her shoes and thought, ‘I want that.’” With that motivation, she upped her training game and hasn’t looked back.
Now, living and training in Midway full-time, Alexandra credits the move from Los Angeles with leveling up her endurance lifestyle. Between the clean air, epic trail systems, and quiet grind of rural life, Midway offers the perfect backdrop for big dreams.
Family-Powered Ambition
Alexandra’s success isn’t a solo effort. Her dad serves as her coach, her mom is her nutritionist, and her twin brother? He’s her personal photographer. “It’s a unique dynamic,” she says. “But I wouldn’t be here without them.” On race days, that support turns into horsepower. “They’ve sacrificed so much—I carry that with me when I’m racing. It keeps me pushing when things get tough.”
Making a Statement at Leadville
Take the Leadville 100, for example. Despite not being placed in the elite wave (she started 15 minutes behind), Alexandra tore through the course, passing some of the top women in the sport. “My dad was zipping between feed zones on a dirt bike, giving me updates,” she says. “When he told me I was catching riders I’d only seen on TV, something clicked.”
She crossed the line in 17th overall, cementing her status as a future force in the Lifetime Grand Prix. “That race was a turning point. I knew I wanted more of this.”
Looking Ahead—and Lifting Others Up
For Alexandra, winning the U23 Lifetime Grand Prix in 2025 is just one step. “It’s a fast track to the big leagues and a paycheck, sure,” she says. “But my real goal is competing at the highest level—however I can get there.”
She’s already thinking about the future of the sport, and how to make it more accessible. “Support is everything. A lot of young athletes just don’t have the resources to get started,” she explains. “That’s why programs like ENVE’s Gravel Development team are so important.”
ENVE, a leading name in cycling innovation, is bridging the gap between junior racing and the elite off-road circuit with their Gravel Development Program, which aims to offer […] “mentorship, coaching, and resources to help young riders navigate gravel racing today […]”
As a member of ENVE’s program, Alexandra has gained more than gear and race entries. “They’ve helped me build a platform, connect with other riders, and find my voice in the sport,” she says. “They’re inspiring other brands to do the same.”
Mindset of a Champion
Alexandra isn’t just tough—she’s tenacious. After crashing early in the 2024 Unbound 100, she rode through a concussion and chipped tooth just to finish. “I had a goal and I wasn’t going to let it go,” she says. That grit carries through her training days, fueled by chocolate chip pancakes, kombucha, and big dreams.
So what does success look like for someone like Alexandra? “This year: win the U23 series. Long term? Win the Grand Prix and inspire younger riders to believe they belong here, too.”
With a racing style best described in one word—”relentless”—Alexandra Charles is carving her line in the cycling world. And she’s just getting started.
Follow Alexandra’s journey on Instagram and keep your eyes peeled—this local star is heading straight for the elite line. @alexcharles_6 racing
