The Power of the Pedal:
Lee Cougan and From The Ground Up
A Journey of Transformation
At Lee Cougan, we believe that the soul of cycling lies not just in cutting-edge performance, but in the spirit of adventure and personal challenge.
That’s why we are incredibly proud to be a part of From The Ground Up (FTGU) project. FTGU is much more than a docu-series; it’s a profound social initiative dedicated to making cycling more accessible and showing that anyone, regardless of their background or experience, can take on monumental endurance challenges.
By providing novice riders with all the resources—including bikes, gear, coaching, and a supportive community—FTGU helps shorten the learning curve and transforms beginners into formidable athletes ready to tackle some of the world’s toughest off-road races, like the notorious Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Building Athletes and Community
From Rookies to Racers:
The Essential Role of Support
The magic of From The Ground Up lies in its focus on the journey, not just the finish line. Each season, the project selects individuals who are relatively new to the sport and documents their intense, five-month preparation process.
This includes dedicated coaching, structured training plans, and, crucially, being part of a strong, compassionate community. The participants face massive physical and mental hurdles, learning to push past self-doubt and discovering a resilience they never knew they had.
This communal struggle creates powerful, lifelong bonds, proving that true potential is often unlocked not in isolation, but through the encouragement and support of others—a philosophy that truly resonates with the Lee Cougan family.
Lee Cougan: The Right Tool for the Job
Performance and Reliability
Under Extreme Pressure
For a challenge as demanding as the Leadville Trail 100, riders need equipment they can trust implicitly. As a partner, Lee Cougan is committed to equipping the FTGU participants with bikes that offer the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and comfort.
For example, in the last season, the riders have put the Lee Cougan Crossfire 428 through its paces. This bike is built to handle the grueling terrain and high-altitude conditions, ensuring that when the going gets tough, the rider’s equipment is the last thing they have to worry about.
We see our role as providing the essential foundation —the very best gear — so these inspiring individuals can focus entirely on conquering their goals, literally from the ground up.
