Meet Izzy and Mike!

An image of Mike in a blue shirt and blue bike helmet standing next to Izzy who is wearing a red shirt. They have their bikes positioned in front of them

This all started by Mike reaching out to Izzy on social media. Mike was moving to the Adirondacks of upstate New York and was looking for other BIPOC folks in the immediate area realizing very quickly that it would be a little difficult to come by. Mike saw all the amazing work Izzy had been doing and came to realize she was right across Lake Champlain in Burlington. Mike reached out and the rest was history.

They ended up meeting in person at a BIPOC Winter Community Day put on by the Burlington Parks and Recreation department where they rode fat bikes and ate mexican food together.

Have you ever met someone in person and realized you’re going to become fast friends? That’s exactly what happened here.

Who We Are

Color the Valley is a Queer & BIPOC owner-operated bikepacking company based in Burlington, Vermont.

CTV specializes in bikepacking trips that are open to all with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and Queer communities.

CTV also runs a specialty outdoor retail store called CTV Outdoor Supply.


  • Founder

    A people loving, outdoor oriented human, always wondering “who is not being given a seat at the table?”. Izzy is a queer woman of color. With many years of experience in the outdoor industry, she has been a guide in the Adirondack mountains and is a skilled bike mechanic. Izzy has helped organize cycling clinics and rides for both youth & adults. Izzy is an ambassador and athlete for several cycling-specific brands. Her role at CTV involved community organizing, trip leader, and marketing manager.

    Izzy now works at Bikes Not Bombs in Boston as the Shop Manager but still helps when she can and is a thought partner.


  • Founder

    A Mexican American cyclist who grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Mike is passionate about getting other BIPOC folks on bikes to experience the freedom and community that it brings. Even though Mike is new to the outdoor industry, he has organized community events and Bikepacking trips including co-organizing BIPOC specific Bikepacking trips in Vermont. Mike's role at CTV was be trip leader, business manager and strategist.

    Mike now runs Color The Valley Outdoor Supply.

We are located in Richmond, Vermont!

Location