Posted by: Julie Block
Get to know our 2025 Mountain Games Athlete Team! In the lead-up to the 2025 GoPro Mountain Games, we will introduce you to each of our nine Mountain Games-sponsored athletes. This vibrant team embodies our core values: a passion for human-powered mountain sports, an active outdoor lifestyle, eco-consciousness, and a spirit of adventure.
Haley Dumke is a Vail Valley local with a passion for off-road cycling adventures and racing. Living in the Rocky Mountains, you can find Haley hitting the high alpine singletrack, pedaling some chunky gravel roads, or moving through the mountains with her bikepacking gear. Whether it’s experiencing the beauty of our local mountains, creating new community and friendships, or finding new capabilities and strengths within herself – cycling is Haley’s tool for exploration.
Oh, and she likes to go fast! Read on to learn more about Haley.
Q: What is your favorite mountain moment?
A: My favorite mountain moment was probably a bike packing trip I went on last spring. We were bike packing in the Utah desert in the LaSalle mountains, and on the last night of the trip we were so tired and exhausted, and we were ready to go to sleep at 6:00. The sun was going down and the moon came up, and it was literally just as bright as when the sun was up, and we couldn’t sleep at all the entire night. It was really beautiful, but we were so tired.
Q: If you could take any three items on a mountain adventure with you, what would they be?
A: I would bring my dog, my crocs, and the entire lineup of the Mountains of Music concert series. There will be a party out there!
Q: What is your secret skill or hidden talent?
A: I am actually a pretty good baker. It is one of the perks of being my friend.
Q: What is your go -to mountain snack?
A: Pop Tarts, ’cause who doesn’t love a throwback snack?
Q: Who is your ultimate mountain hero?
A: I would say Jimmy Chin. I just love his storytelling. I love how he takes us to places of the world that we may never see in our lifetime. And he showcases athletes doing incredible things in incredible places. So, I love Jimmy Chin.
Q: If you weren’t doing your go-to sport, what would you be doing instead?
A: I would probably be a goat herder in the Alps and all the goats would be wearing pajamas.
Q: What is the most epic thing you’ve done in the mountains so far?
A: Probably racing the Breck epic six -day stage race last year. It was really challenging physically, but to mentally believe in myself and stay in it to race six days in a row was extremely hard. I’m really happy that I could come through and stay focused and be mentally in a good spot.
Q: If you could give advice to someone new in your sport, what would it be?
A: I would tell them don’t be intimidated by other riders. We’re seriously so stoked you’re out there. Ask questions. Be friendly. Everyone wants you to have a good time and wants to show you the ropes, so just keep showing up and ask other people for help when you need it.
Q: What is your favorite way to unwind after a big event?
A: My favorite way to unwind after a big event is a margarita with extra salt.
Q: What would your dream mountain adventure look like?
A: My dream mountain adventure would be a cycling hut trip in Europe where someone is carrying all my stuff from hut to hut, and I am just riding and going to wineries and eating in little villages along the way and doing some incredible cycling.
Q: What made you fall in love with your sport?
A: The places that cycling has taken me, specifically mountain biking and gravel riding. It’s really shown me some beautiful places in this state, and it just made me come back wanting more each time and to keep exploring and bringing other people along with me.
Q: What makes the Mountain Games so special?
A: I think the thing that makes Mountain Games so special is being able to watch the other sports that I don’t ever really get to see. I get to see other athletes excelling at something that they love and just be a spectator. Mountain Games is truly so much fun and so inspiring, and it makes you kind of want to jump in and try your hand at something that you literally would never be able to do anywhere else.
Q: What are you looking forward to at this year’s Mountain Games?
A: This year at the Mountain Games, I’m looking forward to watching speed climbing! I’m ready to have my mind blown by these insane athletes and see the sport for the first time as it debuts at the event. I don’t even know what to expect, and I really can’t wait to see them go after it.
Q: If you had a tagline for yourself, what would it be?
A: If I had a tagline for myself, it would probably be, “Well, that wasn’t so bad!”
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