Biking the World
In April 2025,Carolyn Mason (AeroEngr’16) placed second in Arkansas’ infamous . Nestled deep in the Ozarks, she donned a CU tank top on the race’s makeshift podium. Mason cycled over 402 miles and climbed over 44,000 feet amongst flooding, torrential rain and overall gruesome conditions to earn the accolade.
This is not a rare feat for Mason. Outside of the race, she switches between working a “real job” as a software engineer and living out of her van to ride her bike extremely long distances.
When theColoradan tracked her down to delve into her enduring love for cycling, she was living in a tent in Colombia on her way to Argentina — of course, on her bike.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Coppell, Texas — near Dallas — where I lived for 18 years. I played softball and was an umpire. In high school, I participated in an internship with NASA. At the time, I was really into art and really enjoyed our robotics team — I just liked making stuff.
Mason during the 2025 Doom race.
How did you end up at CU?
My family loves the mountains, and we used to spend time hiking and skiing in Colorado. I knew I wanted to study engineering and that CU had a great aerospace program, so it seemed like a good fit with the program and outdoor opportunities.
How did you get into cycling and these long races?
My roommate at CU had a road bike and someone I worked with had a mountain bike, so we all started going on rides together.
After college,Aiden Goldi(EPOBio’16) and Eli Zabielski(Math’14) motivated me to hike the (PCT). That really changed my perspective. It was the first time I went out and took a big solo trip. I really enjoyed pushing myself and seeing how far I could go while hiking all day, not showering, eating crap food and being out in nature.
Then, I got my first job on the East Coast where there was a big cycling community. The next thing I knew, I was touring and racing my bikes as often as I could. My first bikepacking race was in Boise, Idaho, with an awesome group called the . It was with 40 other women, and I absolutely loved it.
What was the Doom race like?
Before Doom, I had recently returned from bike touring in Asia. But I picked up my van in Texas and then headed to Arkansas for the race.
One of the best moments of the race was when other cyclists and I found ourselves muddy and cold. We all decided to collapse inside a post office with our bicycles for 45 minutes of sleep. One of the worst moments of the race was during the second night. It was crazy cold, and I kept taking off my shoes for river crossings then saddling up to ride — only to find another crossing! During the final night, I started to hallucinate. I wasn’t sure if I would keep riding or take a few hours of sleep. Luckily, I ran into some other cyclists and we all motivated each other to finish.
Mason after the 2025 Doom cycling race, where she placed second.
Would you do it again?
Yes, why not? It was an awesome race. The high from racing and being out there with others doing something absolutely ridiculous is great.
You are riding your bike from Alaska to Argentina and are currently in Colombia. How did that come about?
Ten years ago, after hiking the PCT, I read about someone who cycled around the world. I decided that whenever the time was right, that is what I wanted to do. So now, I am in South America.
When you return from South America, what’s next for you?
I really enjoyed my last job working for a startup software company. I think moving forward, especially getting to travel so much and seeing how different things work around the world, I’d like to move into a more environmental or conservation-friendly space, while still working in software. A perfect balance would be doing something meaningful while still riding my bike.
If you went back to CU this fall to spend the day, what would be your agenda?
I would ride up Flagstaff, eat at the C4C and meet up for happy hour with some past coworkers from the — a perfect day.
Photos courtesy of Mixed Soil Media and Kai Caddy