Never, Never Give Up: Meet Anna

The Adventure Begins Here for Anna Barea Garcia

For me, cycling is a way of life. For a couple of hours during the day, I can take a break, disconnect from work and dedicate time to myself.

I’m Anna from Manresa, Barcelona province Spain… and I’m ready to get epic.

Mountain biking didn’t always come easily. I remember my first mountain bike ride three years ago. My fitness wasn’t anywhere near where it is today and I suffered on every climb. Despite the pain, I loved the adventure and found joy in the descents. That first ride started me down a path of adventure, sacrifice, and fun.

Although I also enjoy riding road, mountain biking has become my passion. Riding off-road allows me to discover undiscovered places, meet a lot of people, experience new cultures, travel to beautiful places, and find more joy in life. When you love something as much as I love mountain biking, you want to be able to ride longer and farther. So, I search for ways to push my limits. Though I would like to do well in races, I train every day to see what my body is capable of and to accomplish things I never thought I could.

As I look ahead to the coming months, I have big goals. First up, the Costa Blanca Bike Race (UCI). With four consecutive race days and stages between 40-60 km, this race is my best preparation for my main goal of 2018 – the Absa Cape Epic. I’m excited to have the chance to compete in this race and be a part of the Liv Trail Squad. Cape Epic will be the biggest, hardest challenge I have ever faced, but it will also be the greatest adventure. Of course, I am realistic. I don’t pretend to be the best. But with every challenge I face, my mantra is, "Never, never, never give up." Finishing the most epic race in the world would mean the realization of a dream.