If you're a mountain biker, there's a good chance that you've dreamt of living life on the road, able to flee winter weather and show up at any trailhead that's calling your name. Freedom, no schedule, and the anchors of life having disappeared from your rearview mirror a long time ago all sound pretty dang good. But as much as ''#vanlife'' appeals to many of us, few will actually take the leap. Fuji's Lauren Gregg is one who did, stepping away from the norm earlier this year when she began calling her Ford Transit van, affectionately named Loosy, home.



Gregg's decision to move into her van might have you thinking that, like some van dwellers, she was brought up in a mountain town reeking of patchouli, but that's a far cry from her childhood in Los Angeles, California.

Then again, it sounds like LA played a role in why Loosy is now the enduro racer's house-on-wheels.

''I remember being really turned off by a lot of the materialism I saw around me growing up, and I found a great escape from the city in the outdoors,'' she says.

But unlike so many who act like a moth being pulled towards the light, Gregg felt the opposite effect. ''I was always fascinated by people who were living radically alternative lifestyles from what I was used to seeing in LA, and I knew I wanted to explore different options for myself. I also used to sleep in my car all the time in Hollywood as a teenager, and my friends now tease me that I’m just right back to my roots living in a car again. It was a tiny Honda Civic back then, though, so I’d say I’ve made a significant upgrade with the van.''
Lauren Gregg

And it's not just the vehicle that's changed, however, as singletrack, mountain bikes, and racing replaced the lights and sounds of Hollywood eight years ago. ''Originally, travel was the main aspect of racing mountain bikes that really appealed to me. I loved the fact that racing took me to so many interesting new places. Living in the van is just the next evolution of the freedom that racing bikes has given me,'' reasons that might sound familiar to so many of us.
bigquotesParing down your belongings to what will fit inside the van is also a difficult but liberating experience.
''It doesn’t allow you to settle and get comfortable in a routine, which can be stressful at times, but it forces you to go into each new day with an open mind. It’s unpredictable, and that keeps things exciting and interesting. The ability to ride new trails all the time and wake up at the trailhead is a major plus, too.''


Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van


We all know, or at least can imagine, the upsides to vanlife, but there's a big difference between daydreaming about it and actually making the leap into full-time house-on-wheels living. After all, you're doing the opposite of what you're supposed to be doing by trading property and possessions for freedom and time. It's all a little hippy-dippy, I know, and it sounds a bit high-risk to many of us. Which is why, of course, so many who consider life on the road find themselves waiting for that one "ah hah!" moment that might push them out of their nest.

Lauren says that having already spent a considerable amount of time away from home to race mountain bikes meant that she certainly didn't need that kick in the ass to get out there, but also that teaming up with Ford certainly helped matters. ''I considered the idea of living in the van full-time, but it wasn’t until I signed with Ford that I actually decided to just go for it.''


Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van


There was a time when non-endemic sponsors were more commonplace in the mountain bike industry, especially those from the automotive world, but these are leaner days. There is much less cross-over sponsorship than in years past, which is why Gregg's Ford deal is so noteworthy. ''I think non-industry sponsors are very important for the sport - mountain biking is a small community with lots of passion, but a shortage of funding. It is growing in popularity, however, and big companies can connect with what we’re doing,'' she says of looking for backing from sources that may not seem obvious at first.

''I’d encourage all mountain bike athletes to seek sponsorship outside of our industry to help expand and introduce more diversity and opportunities into the sport. I think it’s honestly the best way we can move it forward.''


Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van
Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van


Unlike so many van-people who convert Sprinters, Lauren calls Ford's Transit van home, an XL 250 model with the optional long (but not the longest) wheelbase, high roof, and 3.2L I5 diesel engine all included. The conversion from mostly empty shell to pint-sized house and bike garage was done by Lauren's friend and fellow racer, Tom Doran and his company, FreedomVans. ''Tom races enduro all over the country out of his converted van, and FreedomVans tailors their builds to the cycling industry with cargo and garage builds being the number one design point,'' she said of the cycling-centric build of Loosy.

The layout features a garage out back that can fit any bike without having to hang them or remove the front wheel, and there's even room for a small dirt bike should Lauren want to do some throttle twisting instead of pedal pushing. ''Tom handmade the flooring - it's a heavy duty subfloor and a dark walnut top layer,'' Lauren said of her living area. LED lighting has its own circuit, whereas the garage lighting is spliced into the factory electronics so that it's turned on and off by opening and closing the van's rear doors. A second battery with an additional 400amp-hour battery bank is tied into the stock battery, and a Renogy 1000 watt inverter has been added to the build as well. According to Lauren, this all adds up to about four days of power without needing to start the van, which is enough for any off-the-grid travels she plans on doing. Next up, some help from the sun: ''Solar panels on the roof of the van are the next step for modifications, and opening up a vent in the ceiling. Right now I’m using an auxiliary AC unit that sucks air in from the back and is ducted into the bed area.''
Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van

But while electricity was a relatively easy challenge, safety and security were a bit more pressing for Gregg. ''I'm not paranoid or anything, but I have to be realistic and aware of the fact that I’m a female alone living on the road,'' she said of her mindset. ''It’s an unfortunate reality, but I know I have to be more cautious and thoughtful about where I sleep than some of my male friends or couples that I know living in vans.''

The only moment of concern so far was when an enterprising snoop gave one of Loosy's door handles a try, likely looking for any gear to snag in an opportunistic (for them) situation. ''I always make sure that I have a clear exit, so if I’m ever uncomfortable, I can just hop into the driver’s seat and drive away.''


Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van


Being a full-time racer herself has given Lauren a chance to see some of the challenges that come along with the job, and she says that while product is relatively easy to figure out, support in the form of cash funding is a much more difficult nut to crack. ''With race registration fees, travel expenses, etc., the lack of cash support can make racing full-time almost impossible for most athletes,'' which is where her Turn Loose project comes in, with the idea being to sell lifestyle goods in order to raise money that goes to other up and coming racers.

''I am so grateful for the opportunities I have this season, and so I wanted to figure out a way to give back to the community, help other athletes, and inspire more people to do more of what they love. The mission of Turn Loose is to inspire others to go out and ride their bikes or pursue their passions.''

For 2016, 50% of all of Tune Loose's profits will go towards racers who could use some cash support, but Lauren's company will also work on helping them put together race resumes, write proposals, approach sponsors, and develop their marketability. ''I wish I had some help with these things when I first started out, and I want to help the next generation of motivated riders be as successful as possible,'' she explained of her plans.
bigquotesRaising the level of professionalism and helping our athletes with their careers will help the entire industry.
Lauren Gregg s Ford Transit camper van

''I love that our riders are never in it for the money, and everyone doing this is doing it 100% for passion and because they love it, but I think it would be very beneficial if we figured out a way to alleviate some of the financial burdens and made racing a realistic option for talented riders who don’t want to bury themselves in debt. If we could figure out a way to allow more mountain bike athletes to make small, reasonable salaries, we could attract a lot more talent to our sport and make racing more sustainable.'' Gregg plans on running Turn Loose out of her van during the upcoming season, which means having a small stockpile of clothes and hats onboard, as well as handling the shipping while on the road between race weekends.

And how long does she see herself calling Loosy home? ''For now, the plan is until the end of this season. I think I’ll probably take a break through the winter - I love cozy offseasons - and then move back into the van for the summer. I could see this seasonal vanlife going on for a long time. Like I said, the more freedom I get and the more time I spend on the road, the more I crave it. I think it will be hard to STOP living in the van!


MENTIONS: @Laurengregg / @MTBee / @foxracingshox / @iXSsports / @vpcomponents / @wilderness-trail-bikes / @shimano / @evocsports / @raceface
www.instagram.com/lauren.gregg



Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

144 Comments
  • 245 2
 I have to have this

~looks up cost~

1987 Ford Aerostar will do
  • 249 0
 Username checks out.
  • 82 2
 Had a 1987 Ford Aerostar when I lived in Canada, it won't do.
  • 74 24
 "I have to have this"

Talking about the van or about the girl ?

(...ok sexist joke, I go out...)
  • 5 0
 @Waldon83: pft! One of my most fond memories is my dad wheelin' a fully loaded '87 Aerostar with 140k miles in the Windrivers. The was the Lil van that could
  • 24 0
 ''I’d encourage all mountain bike athletes to seek sponsorship outside of our industry…"
This young lady is where its at with her great outlook and passion for the sport and fellow riders. Good luck lady friend!
  • 3 1
 How expensive is the van ? Didnt read it in the article
  • 2 0
 @trumbullhucker55: That truck is the shit! I hope they all had a great trip!
  • 11 0
 @ghettoflash: "full loaded '87 Aerostar" = windows and an am/fm cassette deck.
  • 10 3
 "If youre a mtn biker ,chances are you wanna say "f-u" to the world and the corporations and liberate yourself from all your worldly possessions,except for a van that cost as much as the small house you left and a bike that you sold your car to get"
Stick it to the the man!
  • 1 0
 @trumbullhucker55: Wow. There you are brother man. You still got that creative beast??? Figured you'd disassemble it and sell it for another creative project as soon as you got back from that roadtrip.

How's it going???
  • 3 0
 Pick up a used cargo van and customize yourself over time. It's doable.
  • 2 0
 Custom banana hanger! \m/
  • 2 0
 Dude, as a small child, I was unfortunately subjected to driving around in my parents' Ford Aerostar (with the dank, dark forest green color scheme). Believe me, everyone who grew up in the 90's knows that there was at least one van in every household, and soccer moms driving mini-vans were all over the place (still are). ..........Finally, when I thought my old man was trading 'er in for something better, what do you suppose he settled for? A NEWER FORD AEROSTAR. With the same color scheme and all.....
  • 1 0
 hhahahahahahah
  • 2 0
 @Koz1985: woah didn't upgrade to a windstar. Damn son
  • 159 0
 That rug really ties the room together.
  • 67 0
 That's just, like, your opinion, man.
  • 4 4
 @MtbSince84: The dude is not in.
  • 23 0
 you're out of your element Donnie!
  • 6 0
 can't upvote this enough ^^^^
  • 8 0
 Eight year olds Dude
  • 1 0
 The dude abides
  • 3 1
 funniest comment on the internet ever !
  • 16 0
 you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps
  • 1 1
 You win.
  • 3 0
 Obviously you're not a golfer.
  • 4 0
 Mr. Treehorn treats objects like women
  • 3 0
 Sorry, I wasn't listening.
  • 75 1
 Pinkbike should do Van of The Month! that would be so rad! Not just pros have dope vans like these but industry outside rep and Demo drivers all have sick sprinters or fords!
  • 1 0
 This puts my old 2002 ford transit and hamuk setup to shame!!
  • 56 1
 It's a girl's vehicle and it's neither pink nor turquoise? BIKE MANUFACTURERS DO YOU f*ckING SEE IT?!
  • 16 0
 As a dude, I'm far more likely to want a pink & turquoise van than any girl I know.
  • 15 0
 @groghunter: Ask at Santa Cruz, they may have some paint left...
  • 3 0
 @Extremmist: I said likely, not that I'd actually do it. =P

I would, no lie, paint a van hot pink though. I crave attention
  • 45 0
 Thanks for the shout out Lauren Gregg and Pinkbike! I am Tom @FreedomVans. I love this van's layout for simplicity and effectiveness! Cheers everyone and here's to a great summer!
  • 3 0
 great job on this one Tom!
  • 4 0
 has it got a bog and shower?
  • 1 0
 @Funkhouser: I want to know too!
  • 1 0
 Sick!!!
  • 3 0
 You can see some of our work on FreedomVans.co but for a more regular update check us out on Instagram @FreedomVans
  • 3 0
 I'm not sure what a big is, but it does have a shower, cooking amenities, and a restroom. #vanlife requires some creativity but it all works out!
  • 3 1
 Bog' sorry mate even my American phone doesn't know what a bog is
  • 1 0
 @FireBallDHR: A bog is a toilet.
  • 2 0
 Love this set up Tom! My wife and I are saving up to buy a sprinter and you're our guy for the build!
  • 33 0
 My father insisted on my sisters always having a big pair of men's boots outside their front doors. Makes it look like a big dude is inside.
  • 6 0
 Brilliant!
  • 9 1
 'I'm not paranoid or anything, but I have to be realistic and aware of the fact that I’m a female alone living on the road,''
and now all of PB know what you're living in, you should have shown your gun case
  • 6 1
 Guns.. the great equalizer between the physically weak(er) and the potential criminal (usually male). Surprised she didn't show us her arsenal.
  • 7 0
 @theminsta: Not likely. Taking guns with you into Canada is a no-no for the most part and I'm going to guess she probably rides there often. Also if she did have something for personal defense the general rule in the states is "Always carry, never tell."
  • 3 0
 Just a Glock sticker on a vehicle has some deterrent power.
  • 4 0
 I'm in my forties and dreaming of doing something like this. I like the whole stealth camper look but it doesn't help that she has all her sponsors written all over the van. Basically a big neon sign screaming "expensive kit inside"
  • 4 0
 That van looks familiar. Looks pretty plush. I lived for over ten years in a VW van. Mostly climbing around the country but had bikes too. The dirtbag life is best. Free! Good times!
  • 7 5
 I like that... big diffrent between boys and girls Smile Here owend by a girl... well organiest Van... Cup of Tee or coffe... a nice flower and some fruits Smile If this van would belong to a man... it would quick change to a messy shit hole with trash all over... good girl... stay away from does f....... Smile Smile Smile
  • 3 1
 I got a chance to meet Lauren at the Enduro race hosted by Southridge USA. Besides being cute with an amazing smile, she's a great rider and her enthusiasm for what she does shines through. Great person to talk to and a great representative for her sponsors.
  • 6 0
 Respect. I'd last a solid 3 days
  • 2 0
 I bought a Transit van a little over six months ago and love everything about it, one of the best purchases Ive ever made. Getting ready to start on the interior build out soon and love checking out all the custom builds out there. Awesome van Lauren!!! I did a lot of homework researching all the different cargo vans on the market today and for me the Transit was unbeatable for the price. I opted for the ecoboost V6 over the diesel and have no regrets, it has tons of power and not bad on fuel economy either. Every mountain biker should have a van!
  • 4 1
 Ecoboost is the choice in USA!!!I hate diesel engines. As a biker I try to never go behind a diesel car but here it´s near to impossible,they are smelly,smoky even the new ones you can smell the urea thing they put into the exhaust.
  • 2 0
 This is very nice, indeed, but I'd me more pleased if you did these kind of articles with vans and generally vehicles of normal people, not only sponsored athletes. I mean, having this is nice and all, but how much effort went into it? Paying for someone to do it? I've seen a lot of cool vans done by people themselves. The Dirt Mag race truck that was born a schoolbus and now sees a second life is maybe the first I can think of, but there are a lot out there!

Cheers,
Mx
  • 4 0
 Ya Tom!!!! getting some love from Pinkbike! congrats dude
  • 3 0
 Wow! that thing is sweet!!
I wouldn't mind being that man who " Lives in a van, Down by the River"!!!
  • 2 0
 More van features please! I love these. Makes me want to live in a van with my wife, two cats, and eight bikes. What could go wrong?
  • 1 0
 This is really cool, I've actually been thinking about doing this for the last couple of weeks. Not as a pro racer though, I'd hope to make some income from freelance CAD work.
  • 1 0
 Just saw something like this outside my apartment. Lifted silver Sprinter with beefy tires and some sweet bikes on the back. No sponsors, though. Quite stealth. Probably attending Overland Expo West.
  • 1 0
 I totally agree with your views on materialism.....its disgusting and is the end result of the evil that is greed. Good on ya girl.
  • 1 0
 Cool looking Van, I think I seen it a couple weeks ago in Moab or Frutia, I'm jealous!! I had an Astro van back in the nineties it was the bomb!!!
  • 1 0
 I'm jealous, my van just went bang after 220,000 miles and can't afford to replace it - I don't want a car like normal people. Lovely Transit
  • 2 0
 I met Lauren a few weeks ago in Fruita, super rad person to have representing our sport! Heal quick, Lauren.
  • 1 0
 I get the living in the van part, but where do you park every night? Campgrounds? Park n ride lots? Out in the woods by yourself? Friend's driveways?
  • 1 0
 That's pretty cool, but I think I would last all of two weeks living in a van, even if it was extremely well equipped like hers.
  • 2 0
 Supper sweet van!!! I want one!!!
  • 3 1
 Is that Ratgirl? The she version of Ratboy?
  • 1 0
 Super sick! I'd love to pick her brain for advice on getting things like a sponsorship from Ford!
  • 1 0
 Keep posting these van articles, I really like seeing these builds. Definitely needs a bog and a shower tho.
  • 4 4
 Wooot! Stoked that you are living the dream Lauren! Now you have no excuses for not coming out to shred in my area! See you sooon!
  • 1 0
 I don't see any ventilation,but nice set up.how much as is is what I want to know
  • 1 0
 Tiny House Nation on wheels, living the dream, and helping others, you go girl..
  • 2 0
 Sweet
  • 2 0
 SPONSORS
  • 2 0
 #lifegoals.
  • 1 0
 Awesome job, much respect!
  • 2 0
 GO LAURENNN!!!
  • 1 0
 Why is this girl living my dream?
  • 1 0
 Better than the Douche Canoe's G Wagon review....
  • 1 0
 FREEDOMVAN link is DEAD!!!
  • 2 0
 Thanks for the heads up. My web guy refreshes it and boom it's back!
  • 2 0
 If the website can't handle all of the traffic and stays down, please have a look at our Instagram account instead @freedomvans that is probably the better place for you to see up to date content of our builds as well.
  • 1 0
 @FireBallDHR: following nice stuff
  • 2 1
 No mention of the pee-bottle
  • 1 0
 It looks like there is room for one more....... feel free to pick me up
  • 1 0
 More van/camper reviews please!
  • 1 0
 Must be pretty fast too. ; )
  • 1 0
 40+ I'm thinking
  • 2 0
 More like $80K. The van alone is probably $50-55K.
  • 1 0
 @MtbSince84:
That's nearly motorhome territory (RV). I'm pretty sure you can you can a well equipped caravan for that money (if you own something that will tow it)

Sure you don't get the garage element, but you get a toilet and a shower!
I'd love to do something like that for a month, not race, but drive an RV to all the trails that I normally miss.
  • 4 0
 @ChazzMichaelMichaels: Yes but your missing the point, sometimes the access roads to trail heads or bike parks aren't suitable to be towing a caravan up, which is where the versatility of the van comes in!
  • 3 6
 Rich kid$
  • 2 0
 So using ford price and build. a basic van meeting the specs she has in the USA will run right around 44,500
  • 4 0
 My Tacoma cost $3000. Mods include: camper sell. I'm so materialistic.
  • 1 0
 @mnaguilar16: Not bad. Cheaper than the Sprinter (which is the info I have).
  • 1 0
 @ChazzMichaelMichaels: As others mentioned, getting into backcountry with an RV ain't realistic sometimes. but also, this should be far cheaper to keep fueled.

Heck, I'm looking to go even smaller if possible, convert a transit connect, again, purely for gas mileage reasons. tiny little thing, big enough for me.
  • 2 0
 @groghunter: If they made the Transit Connect 4x4 and with a manual trans I'd go out and get in debt quickly. Keep an eye on the rwd Mercedes Metris. It's produced overseas in 4x4 as the Vito. Doesn't get quite the 30mpg that the Connect will achieve, and its bigger (and more expensive) than the Connect, NV200 or ProMaster City, but it may be the first smaller tradesman van that gets 4x4.
  • 1 0
 @MtbSince84: Naw. You can pick up a new Transit like that for a little over $30K, and a used one for a little over $20K.
  • 1 0
 @groghunter:
Yeah that's a good point. I don't ride anywhere that isn't accessible with a 2WD sedan. I was thinking more along the lines of by the time you've spent the money on a van and kitted it out like that it wouldn't be far off RV money. Especially for someone like me who has no talent whatsoever for that kind of thing.
  • 1 0
 @ChazzMichaelMichaels: Even places that are accessible with a 2wd sedan, often wouldn't be for a 20ft+ long RV.
  • 1 0
 @groghunter: It's certainly doable. Saw a dude at a trailhead in Moab with a bike AND a moto in his Transit Connect. However, it didn't appear that he could also sleep in it, as there was room for little else.
  • 1 0
 @kingsx: I figure one of the sacrifices that will have to be made going so small, is that bikes will have to live on a rack, which I'm OK with.
  • 1 0
 way too cushy
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