Alejandra Cadena: Welcome to the Escarabajos family

My name is Alejandra Cadena, and if you enjoy participating in Colombia’s iconic cycling events, we’ve probably crossed paths at some point. I’ve been competing in amateur cycling races for eight years and have been passionate about road cycling for nine. I discovered this incredible world in 2016, thanks to my partner, Mario Lucas. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of exploring countless places and meeting amazing people through cycling.

A few months ago, Scarab offered me the opportunity to ride my first custom-made bicycle. I chose the climbing version, as mountains are where I feel most at home. The team ensured the bike would be ready just in time for Colombia’s biggest amateur cycling celebration: the Giro de Rigo, one of the country’s most iconic and challenging events.

It felt like a bold move to test the bike only a day before the race and then take on the grueling 155-kilometer course with 3,000 meters of elevation gain. But this was a bike handcrafted specifically for me—designed to match my unique needs. I felt a strong connection with it, even as I adjusted to some new changes. This time, I’m riding shorter cranks (165 mm, compared to my usual 170 mm), and disc brakes are also a completely new experience for me.

Climbing the Alto de Palmas with my Scarab Letras was my favorite part of the course. Along the way, friends cheered me on, congratulated me on my new bike, and even strangers celebrated seeing a woman riding with such determination. At that moment, I was fully focused on chasing the lead group. I started a bit further back than I had planned, which made it difficult to have a clear visual reference, but I gave it my all from the beginning. Hearing encouragement from fellow cyclists and spectators throughout the race was a powerful energy boost, making this incredible event even more special. It’s a demanding course that fills participants and fans alike with contagious enthusiasm.

One of the immediate sensations I felt was the responsiveness of the bike when climbing out of the saddle, paired with the comfort it provided on descents. I wasn’t familiar with most of the route, so feeling that connection with my bike was essential to building confidence on such varied terrain. Heading into Concepción, we knew to expect a technical descent, and we were particularly mindful of a right-hand curve with an off-camber slope. We’d been warned to approach it carefully to avoid carrying too much speed. The responsiveness of the disc brakes was incredible—they helped me navigate that section with full control. Descending the Alto de la Raya was also challenging, but we managed it smoothly and without risks. The stability I felt with my Scarab gave me added confidence on these technical sections.

The road’s irregularities created a lot of vibration, which typically leads to greater muscle fatigue. That’s another standout aspect of steel—it absorbs those irregularities beautifully, reducing muscle strain and translating into greater comfort. This allowed me to finish the race feeling less fatigued and more connected to the ride.

Somewhere in the Oriente Antioqueño region, I found myself in a dark place, energy levels where low and I wanted to quit, it disconnected me from the great sensations I’d felt earlier in the race. But toward the final stretch, I recovered and was able to enjoy the flats—or rather, the false flats—leading to the finish. We wrapped up this race feeling satisfied that we completed the course without any setbacks, celebrating the personal triumphs achieved along the way—beyond just our position in the rankings. I’m excited about the stories I’ll begin writing with my Scarab. I’m so grateful to the entire team and brands that supported me with this incredible project!