27-year-old Ellie Atkins isn’t your typical mountain biker. Sure – she shreds the singletrack, gets stoked on new lines and lives for drop-ins. But she also saves lives.

A Colorado native, Ellie has always had a passion for people and the outdoors, and after graduating she decided to turn that passion into a career path. Ellie took a remote EMT course in Washington and was eventually hired on to the Crested Butte Bike Patrol.

Ellie and the other EMT-trained patrollers at Crested Butte Mountain Resort are responsible for responding to sick and injured guests, maintaining trail closures and signage, and inspecting terrain for safety hazards. And the mountain bike plays a vital role in their everyday efforts.

‘Oftentimes, when people are injured on the trails, they’re too far from roads, and it’s difficult to reach them by ambulance or car,’ Ellie says. ‘Mountain bikes provide a quick and relatively direct way to reach patients who need help in more remote areas.’

While Ellie initially started patrolling to spend more time on her bike, the medical side of the role quickly captivated her. This inspired her to start working shifts as an emergency medical technician at the Mountain Clinic, an accident and emergency clinic at the base of Mt. Crested Butte.

One day, Ellie hopes to utilise her experience as an EMT and a mountain biker to care for people in rural communities who have prioritised a relationship with the land over easy access to basic luxuries.

‘Living in the Gunnison Valley has taught me the importance of community and shed light on the unique challenges small towns face,’ Ellie says. ‘And I think the bicycle can play an important role in connecting these communities, especially when your nearest neighbour is miles away.’

If you ever find yourself in the small town of Crested Butte, CO, give Ellie’s favourite ride a shot! Teocalli Ridge is a weekday warrior’s dream. It’s short enough to squeeze in before or after work, and it’s packed with a little bit of everything – from exhilarating climbs to techy sections, plenty of flow and breath-taking views.

Check it out here.