Kyle and Rachel Strait are mountain bike champions who have competed all over the world but call Alpine home.
“I first started coming here in 2004 to ride with a friend that grew up in Pine Valley. After many trips to visit and ride here, Rachel and I decided that we wanted it to be our home,” Kyle Strait, 34 said.
Practically speaking, he said, they need to be relatively close to an airport for frequent travel, but also need open space where they can train for events. Alpine, he said, is one of just a few places in Southern California that fits the bill.
Rachel Strait, who grew up in Valley Center, said “country living is in my blood,” and knew she wanted to settle down in a rural community with open land when it came time to start a family.
“I used to come to Alpine after we would ride Noble Canyon. I fell in love with the town, and when Kyle agreed to head southeast from Costa Mesa, I jumped on the opportunity,” Rachel Strait, 33 said.
That family began with their daughter, Stevie, who will be one year old this month.
Kyle Strait said it takes a lot of planning to balance double sports careers and a young baby but “we make it work” with communication.
“Kyle and I have always been good communicators which I think has been key in our relationship, professionally and personally. After having Stevie girl we quickly realized things were going to change, big time, but we would both be able to still race as long as we kept the communication going,” Rachel Strait said.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, has been a challenge for both of them..
“The main issue has been with restricted travel. Most of our events are out of state or around the world so that became very difficult. With us not being able to fly into some places or having to quarantine to get to events, sometimes two weeks at a time, it has been challenging,” Kyle Strait said.
When a few of their sponsors issued an ultimatum— race or don’t get paid— they decided to focus on attending as many local races as they could possibly manage.
Rachel Strait said supply chain issues have also taken a toll on their careers as well as travel challenges.
“In the beginning of the pandemic, everyone wanted to be outdoors and pandemic bike sales were through the roof. Unfortunately, the factories couldn’t keep up and now we’re seeing very low inventory or no inventory of products we need,” Rachel Strait said.
The couple has managed to keep a surplus of parts on hand in their personal supply but they’ve seen friends struggle to get needed parts.
On the other hand, Rachel Strait said, the pandemic also drove them to hosting the first annual Strait Acres Slalom Invitational event at their home. Since having that event, she said, they’ve had racers and promoters ask them to host more slalom races, laying the groundwork for a new branch of their careers.
The duo is optimistic; both maintain an easygoing approach to their lifestyle and careers.
In a world of increasing technology, Kyle Strait said there is “some sort of new bell or whistle that comes out every year which you don’t really need” although the industry is “always trying to reinvent the wheel,” he says.
“I do think there is very much a place for e-bikes. They allow a person who maybe did not want to get into the sport to try it out, or help someone start to get in shape,” Kyle Strait said.
Rachel Strait said she also likes ebikes, thinks they are “a great way to get more people into the sport” as long as everyone respects the trail.
Experienced competitors, they are at the point of looking back on their careers while still having years ahead on the trails.
“I remember being 14 and all I could think about was riding my bike. It was my obsession… it wasn’t until I was older I realized I could make money and make a career out of it,” Rachel Strait said.
So many kids get discouraged, she said, when they don’t see success right off the bat but if someone truly loves riding and competing, the rest will come with time.
“For me, the best part of seeing what I’ve accomplished is looking back and realizing I reached my goal to be a professional athlete, inspire others and represent the sport of mountain biking… and now I have the chance to make my daughter proud and hopefully inspire her,” Rachel Strait said.
Out of everything Kyle Strait said he’s accomplished in my career, the best part is “having a place I can ride, dig, and build” in Alpine to share with friends and family.