Some of the best ideas and collaborations happen two hours into a ride, when everyone’s high on fresh air, and the lactate is flowing through the legs, and you’re too tired to be anything but honest.

That’s the magic behind Hill Climbers, and it’s why I’ve wanted to team up with founder Sam Huntington for years. Sam and I have known each other a long time, and we’ve talked about doing something together more times than I can count. This year, we’re finally making it happen.

On Friday, November 13, Hill Climbers and Front Pack are hosting the Second Annual Hill Climbers Summit at the Rivian showroom on South Congress in Austin.

This year’s theme: The Future Is Female

---

What is Hill Climbers?

It started in 2023 as a podcast exploring the business side of cycling, and it’s a good one.

BUT the weekly group ride is where the magic happens.

Think about it. What’s a better way to get to know someone, trade ideas, and solve problems than spending a few hours suffering next to them in the saddle?

It’s no bullshit and there’s no corner office or Zoom to hide behind. Just you, a few wheels to follow, and a lot of driven people to connect with.

Sam had a pretty genius idea: use cycling as the common thread to bring people together. What started with a shared passion for riding has grown into a national community of people building businesses, forging meaningful connections, and moving the sport forward, all through the power of something they love.

The State of Women’s Cycling in the U.S.

The centerpiece of the Summit is a live-audience podcast recording featuring three perspectives you don’t often get around the same table:

• The Team. Charles Aaron, Managing Director, Human Powered Health 
• The Brand. Mellisa Allen, VP of Marketing, Skratch Labs
• The Athlete. Veronica Ewers, Professional Cyclist

Women’s sports are having a moment, which I hate to even have to write because it shouldn’t be “a moment,” but cycling has a real opportunity to be part of it, especially with the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon.

We’ll get into where the investment is going, what’s driving the momentum, and what still needs to change to keep women’s cycling moving forward.

The Game Plan

---

• 7:30 a.m. — Group ride with Factor and The Meteor (RSVP here)
• 4:00 p.m. — Happy hour and networking at Rivian
• 5:00 p.m. — The panel
• 6:15 p.m. — Dinner and more networking, catered by The Meteor
• 7:30 p.m. — Wrap

Come for the ride, go to work, then come back for the panel. Learn some shit and get dinner.

On the fence? Bruh. We’re wrapping by 7:30 p.m., which means you’ll be home in time for a good night’s sleep and ready to show up fresh for Tour Das Hugel on Saturday. You really can have it all.

Why You Should Attend

Austin is a special place for endurance sports because the community shows up for each other and that’s the energy we’re hoping to bring into this room: cyclists, founders, athletes, brand builders, and endurance junkies coming together for good conversation, a stacked panel, great food, and the chance to meet people you might not otherwise cross paths with.

Tickets are $30–$40 and they will sell out and that’s intentional. We want a room where you can actually meet people, have a conversation, and leave with a few new connections.

Grab a ticket, bring a friend, and come support the people building the future of this sport.

See you on South Congress.