Our story
From our founder - Ray Festa
The beginning
In February of 2020, I upgraded to my first performance carbon fiber road bike, a Ridley Helium SLX, and my cycling addiction began.
A month later the COVID pandemic happened, and like many, I used cycling to ease the mind. At the end of 2020, I had cycled 6500 miles on my new bike, and I couldn’t believe it. During those lonely 6500 miles that year, I learned about myself, rediscovered the beauty of San Francisco, Marin County, and a daily fulfillment for my sense of adventure.
The ride that changed everything
In May of 2020, while looking for new roads to discover I came upon the Alpine Dam + Mt Tam route on Strava. After looking at the route metrics I knew this would be my most challenging ride yet. So I signed myself up for 50 miles and 5400ft of elevation gain.
I was cooked…but that’s when I knew the design of the bicycle frame and its components can significantly impact a person’s experience with cycling. My new bike had given me the confidence to challenge myself and explore new roads. That ride on Alpine Dam is when it all clicked for me - I wanted to help people progress in their cycling journeys.
Addicted to Carbon fiber
Intrigued by how my first bike changed my riding experience, I wanted to find out if others could do the same. Later that year, I purchased my second carbon fiber bike. This time a 2014 Pinarello Dogma that had been left to die on a bike shop’s online clearance sale.
It was completely different, but offered an experience just as enjoyable. Now I have a room full of bikes and probably another one on the way. The N+1 theory is real.Â
Alpine Bikes is born
As a designer by profession, I knew I wanted to combine my love for design and bikes. In June of 2021 Alpine Bikes was formed in my San Francisco apartment with the mission to - Elevate the Road Cycling Experience with Performance and Passion. I immediately began to explore product concepts.