The intersection of high-performance athletics and environmental stewardship has reached a new milestone with the release of a limited-edition collaboration between professional gravel racer Sarah Sturm, sustainable hydration brand Bivo, and the non-profit organization Protect Our Winters (POW). This partnership represents a convergence of artistic expression and climate activism, utilizing a functional piece of cycling equipment—the water bottle—as a medium for messaging and fundraising. Sturm, a veteran of the professional cycling circuit and a prominent member of the POW Bike Alliance, has integrated her background in graphic design with her experience in endurance sports to create a product that challenges the traditional aesthetic of athletic gear.
The Evolution of the Athlete-Artist Identity
Sarah Sturm’s professional trajectory has been characterized by a dual commitment to competitive excellence and creative output. For the past nine years, Sturm has been a fixture in the professional gravel cycling scene, navigating the grueling demands of high-desert races and mountain terrain. However, her identity as an artist predates her career on the podium. Before becoming a household name in the gravel community, Sturm pursued formal training in the arts, a discipline that she admits was sidelined as her athletic commitments intensified.
The collaboration with Bivo and POW served as a catalyst for Sturm to reclaim this aspect of her identity. In the competitive world of professional sports, athletes are often categorized by their physical performance alone. Sturm’s involvement in this project highlights a growing trend in the outdoor industry where athletes are encouraged to bring their multifaceted identities to the forefront. By designing the artwork for the Bivo bottle, Sturm has effectively bridged the gap between her past as an artist and her present as an elite competitor, demonstrating that professional pursuits do not have to be singular or exclusionary.
The Creative Process: Conceptualization in Motion
Unlike traditional design projects that begin in a studio environment, the conceptualization for this collaboration occurred on the bike. Sturm utilized her long-duration training rides—some lasting five to six hours—as a space for brainstorming. This unconventional approach allowed the design to be informed by the very environment in which the product would be used. The rhythmic nature of long-distance cycling provided the mental clarity necessary to develop a visual language that resonated with the outdoor experience.
Sturm’s design methodology relied on traditional tools, specifically pencil and paper, to translate her "on-bike" thoughts into tangible sketches. The resulting artwork is a reflection of her affinity for textiles, bold geometric shapes, and clear, impactful messaging. The design features a series of intricate motifs, including flower petals that are woven into stylized lettering and botanical blooms that transition into the circular form of bicycle wheels. An abstract representation of a cyclist, whose head is depicted as a cluster of flowers, serves as the centerpiece of the design, symbolizing the harmony between the athlete and the natural world.
The technical challenge of the project involved adapting two-dimensional art to a cylindrical canvas. Sturm noted that the movement of the water bottle within a bicycle cage creates a dynamic viewing experience. Depending on the vantage point, different segments of the artwork are revealed, allowing the bottle to function either as a series of individual artistic panels or as a continuous, wraparound theme. This consideration of the product’s physical utility in the design phase underscores the intentionality behind the collaboration.
Technical Specifications and Sustainable Hydration
The choice of Bivo as the manufacturing partner for this collaboration is significant due to the company’s focus on sustainability and performance. Bivo has gained traction in the cycling industry by offering a stainless steel alternative to the ubiquitous plastic squeeze bottle. This alignment is particularly relevant to the mission of Protect Our Winters, as reducing reliance on single-use and short-lifecycle plastics is a core component of environmental conservation.
The Bivo "One" and "Trio" models, which serve as the base for Sturm’s design, are engineered with a high-flow gravity lid that allows for rapid hydration without the need to squeeze the bottle. From a technical standpoint, the use of food-grade stainless steel ensures that the water remains free of the plastic taste often associated with traditional cycling bottles, while also providing a more durable product that can withstand the rigors of gravel racing and mountain biking. The inclusion of a silicone coating provides grip and protects the artwork, ensuring the longevity of the design through various weather conditions and terrain.
The Role of the POW Bike Alliance
Protect Our Winters, the primary beneficiary of this collaboration, has historically focused on the snowsports industry but has recently expanded its reach through the POW Bike Alliance. This initiative recognizes that the impacts of climate change—such as shortened winters, increased wildfire frequency, and extreme heatwaves—directly affect the cycling community and the landscapes they inhabit.
The Bike Alliance serves as a platform for professional cyclists like Sturm to leverage their influence for policy change and climate education. By participating in this collaboration, Sturm is utilizing a consumer product to generate funds that support POW’s non-partisan advocacy work. This includes efforts to transition to renewable energy, protect public lands, and mobilize the outdoor community to participate in the democratic process. The partnership reflects a broader strategic shift within the non-profit sector to integrate fundraising with lifestyle products that resonate with a specific demographic of enthusiasts.
Addressing Climate Anxiety Through Joyful Activism
A notable aspect of the Sturm x Bivo x POW collaboration is its tonal shift from traditional climate messaging. Much of the discourse surrounding environmental issues is characterized by "climate anxiety"—a sense of fear or helplessness regarding the future of the planet. Sturm’s design intentionally avoids polarizing or alarmist imagery, opting instead for a vibrant and joyful aesthetic.
"I didn’t want to have something that was too polarizing on there because you want people to enjoy the artwork in this context," Sturm stated during the project’s unveiling. The goal was to create a "visual antidote" to the stress of climate conversations. This approach, often referred to as "joyful activism," suggests that positive reinforcement and a celebration of the natural world can be as effective in motivating community action as the communication of environmental threats. The bottle serves as a functional reminder for users to "protect what they love" while they are actively engaging with the outdoors.
Economic and Industry Context
The release of this collaboration comes at a time when the gravel cycling market is experiencing significant growth. According to industry reports, the gravel bike segment has been one of the fastest-growing categories in the cycling world over the last five years, driven by a desire for adventure-based riding and a departure from the high-traffic environments of road cycling. This growth has created a robust market for specialized accessories and apparel that reflect the unique culture of gravel racing—a culture that often prioritizes community, sustainability, and personal expression.
Furthermore, the "Artist Series" model has become a successful marketing strategy for outdoor brands. By partnering with athletes who possess creative skills, brands can offer limited-edition products that command higher consumer interest and brand loyalty. For Bivo and POW, this strategy not only drives sales but also broadens the reach of their respective missions to a wider audience of cyclists who may not have previously engaged with climate advocacy.
Broader Implications for the Outdoor Industry
The collaboration between Sarah Sturm, Bivo, and Protect Our Winters serves as a blueprint for future partnerships in the outdoor industry. It demonstrates that the role of the professional athlete is evolving from a mere brand ambassador to a creative collaborator and social advocate. As climate change continues to impact the outdoor "playgrounds" that these industries rely on, the integration of sustainability into the product lifecycle and the marketing narrative is becoming a business necessity rather than an elective choice.
The project also highlights the importance of authenticity in athlete-driven collaborations. Sturm’s personal investment in both the art and the advocacy lends a level of credibility to the product that is often missing from standard endorsements. As consumers increasingly seek out brands and products that align with their personal values, such multi-layered partnerships are likely to become more prevalent.
Conclusion and Availability
The POW x Bivo bottle designed by Sarah Sturm is currently available through the Protect Our Winters online shop and select retail partners. All proceeds from the sale of these bottles are directed toward POW’s ongoing initiatives to combat climate change through systemic policy shifts.
As the cycling season progresses, the presence of these bottles in the peloton and on the trails will serve as a mobile testament to the intersection of sport, art, and activism. For Sarah Sturm, the project remains a poignant reminder that professional athletes can maintain a diverse range of interests and use their platforms to contribute to the greater good. The collaboration stands as a functional piece of art that encourages the cycling community to remain mindful of their environmental impact while finding joy in the pursuit of outdoor adventure.
