The Road Less Travelled

Things almost never go according to plan – and ASHLEIGH MOOLMAN-PASIO, pro cyclist, Olympian and chemical engineer is proof that sometimes “the plan” is total BS

- Michelle October

If you were to go back a few years and ask Ashleigh what she wanted to be when she grew up, she wouldn’t have said “pro cyclist”. In fact, cycling was only a small part of her life as a sporty kid, which involved everything from athletics to horse riding and hockey. Here’s how she ended up cycling her way around the world – and found her true calling...

Trust in the process.

Ashleigh is actually a qualified chemical engineer, but discovered cycling when she met her now-husband, Carl Pasio. He was a pro triathlete and they went cycling together. “I first tried out the triathlon, but quickly realised that I’m not a very fast swimmer. I then tried the duathlon and, although I really like running, I kept picking up running injuries. One thing led to another and I was just kind of forced to cycle,” she says. “I believe doors open and opportunities arrive for a reason and being a cyclist is what was meant to be,” Ashleigh says.