Hannah Otto

Professional Mountain Biker
& Gravel Racer

"I think my proudest sporting moments come from the times when success came when it was least expected and when I found a way when things seemed impassable."

BIOGRAPHY

I found endurance sports at a very young age. It all started when I was 9 years old and would ask to get to soccer practice early so that I could run laps around the field before anyone else showed up.  Noticing this unique drive, my mom asked me if I would rather just sign up for a running race. At my first 1-mile kids running race I saw a booth advertising triathlon, I pointed to the booth and said “That. That’s the sport I want to do.” I got signed up for a kid’s triathlon camp and raced triathlon for the next 11 years of my life. I represented the USA at Junior PanAmerican Championships, I won multiple National Titles, I won the Overall Amateur XTERRA World Championship Title 2x, and even earned my professional license. I went to college as a triathlete and swam D2 as well as ran cross country and track D2 and competed for the collegiate D1 Cycling team. I won 5 Collegiate Cycling National Titles and at age 20 refocused my athletic pursuits to the bike. I love everything that cycling has to offer. I love the constant striving for improvement and I love all the different ways we can continually better ourselves. My career in sport is largely one of pursuing personal improvements and I hope that pursuit continues to take me to compete on the biggest stages in the World.

Palmarès

Leadville 100

1st Overall: 2022

Olympic Long Team Member

2020

The Mid South

1st Overall: 2020

Collegiate Cycling Nationals

1st Overall: 5x

XTERRA World Championships

1st Overall Amateur: 2x

The Whole Enchilada

FKT Holder

Favorite Strava Segment

Hannah's Top Picks

"I would venture to say that most people aren’t fueling their rides with enough. Once you start fueling your rides properly, you’ll unlock a whole new level of potential. The Wild Berry Liquid Shot is delicious and easy to eat so it makes me actually look forward to every carbohydrate I consume on the bike which ultimately allows me better performance."

Learn More

"I use PreRace before all of my hardest workouts and races. At this point I think just opening the bottle signals my brain and body that it’s time to go to the next level."

Learn More

"With a background in exercise physiology, I understand the importance of post-training protein and as a female I know it’s even more important for me to get it quickly. Ultragen allows me the ability to get in the necessary nutrients quickly so that I’m getting everything I can out of each training session I complete."

Learn More

Q&A

What’s your favorite quote?

“How fast would you be if you didn’t know how fast you are?”

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

The very first thing I ever reported that I wanted to be was a mailman. As a 6-year-old, the only mail I ever received was a party invitation or a birthday card so I saw mailmen as bringing good news and excitement to people. I just wanted to make people smile. It’s also probably worth noting that I emphatically announced that I would run from house to house to deliver the mail.

What's the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you?  

At 9 years old I went with my mom to New Orleans to compete in the triathlon national championship. During our time there, Hurricane Katrina was announced and we were advised to shelter there. We were stuck in New Orleans for 5 days during and after the hurricane. We sheltered with hundreds of other people in a 3rd floor ballroom with no windows. One the 5th day we were escorted out of the state on buses by armed guard.

Describe yourself with one word. 

Determined

Proudest sporting moment? Proudest life moment? 

I think my proudest sporting moments come from the times when success came when it was least expected and when I found a way when things seemed impassable.

Two specific instances come to mind. The first moment was at the 202 MidSouth. It was pouring rain and the race lasted when longer than I expected. I had completely run out of food and was entering a hypothermic state. The mud had become impossible to ride in and the mud had made my bike so heavy that I couldn’t even lift it to carry it. I squatted down and put my bike on my bike to continue to trek along. I won that race, but the biggest victory was never giving up.

The other instance that comes to mind is the 202 Leadville 100 race. I had separated my shoulder in a crash one week prior. I couldn’t lift my left arm above shoulder height and I had only received doctor’s clearance to race 3 days before. I showed up to the race with a completely open mind and no expectation. I won the race. Showing up and relinquishing control can be a challenge, but something it’s exactly what we need to do to let the pieces fall into place.

Guilty pleasure food item? 

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with whipped cream. Is it really a guilty pleasure if I’m proud of it, though? Throughout the year I have a lot of 4 am wake ups before long races where I need to be 100% fueled to start. If you’ve ever tried eating large quantities at 4 am then you know that’s a challenge in and of itself. Chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream has been my secret weapon to ensure I eat enough on those early morning before long races.

Where is your "happy” place? 

Priest Lake, Idaho. My Granddad built a cabin in Priest Lake over 70 years ago. He built the cabin, by hand, with no power tools, teaching himself with a “how to” style book. The cabin is still standing today and in use by our family. I believe my Granddad is who I got my determined spirit from.

What is something that you learned from a parent or grandparent that has guided you in life? 

My mom is a huge encouraging force in my career, but she never pushed me. She always waited for me to ask to race or to train. She let me take the reins. I never thought about it as a kid, but when I look back now as an adult I realize how incredibly beneficial it was that she let me find my own way. She never made me feel like it was “strange” that a young girl wanted to start her day with push-ups or end it by going to the track to run. She never told me what I could and couldn’t do from a physical standpoint. I think it opened up a world of possibilities for me and I think it’s the reason I still dream so big today.

Finish this sentence: “The world would be a better place if….” 

The world would be a better place if, people lived by the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. One day I won’t be as fast as I am now and I’ll have to look back on my career. I want to be remembered as the girl who loves God and loves others and always met people where they were at.

When I’m not riding/running or otherwise crushing it in my sport, you’ll find me:

Coaching! I have a degree in Athletic Training and Exercise Science and I am a Board-Certified Athletic Trainer and I am a USA Cycling Certified Coach. I have my own coaching business and I love helping people reach their own goals and discover their own abilities.