About Sarah
Sarah Rice, DPT, PhD
DPT · PhD · SICI Level 2 · Pelvic floor PT · Ultra-endurance cyclist
Sarah Rice, DPT, PhD, is a licensed physical therapist, SICI Level 2 certified bike fitter, and lifelong cyclist offering professional bike fitting focused on safety, comfort, and injury prevention. With experience spanning competitive road racing, ultra-endurance cycling, randonneuring, and clinical research in cycling medicine, she helps riders of all levels get comfortable, confident, and efficient on their bikes.
Credentials
Certification
Sarah is a Serotta International Cycling Institute (SICI) Level 2 certified bike fitter. SICI is among the longest-running bike-fit education programs in the U.S. Her current certification is listed on the SICI certified fitters directory.
Selected publications
Selected peer-reviewed and professional writing related to bike fitting and cycling medicine. (A fuller academic CV is available on request.)
Peer-reviewed
- Searle O, Rice S, Fowler C, Kotler DH. Creation of a Multidisciplinary Cycling Medicine Clinic: Analysis of the First 9 Years. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2026;25(6):179-187.
- Kotler DH, Rice S, Katz N, Gomes N, Holliday W, Zunti K, Moore J. Training and injury considerations in female-identifying cyclists. Journal of Women’s Sports Medicine. 2023;3(2):11-24.
- Puleo RM, Barreveld A, Rice S, Althausen Plante AM, Kotler DH. Unique Concerns of the Woman Cyclist. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2022;33(1):61-79.
- Kotler DH, Cushman DM, Rice S, et al. Fear, Anxiety, and Return to Sport After Cycling Crashes: A Survey of Cyclists. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2022;33(1):107-122.
- Rice S, Iaccarino MA, Bhatnagar S, Robidoux G, Zafonte R, Kotler DH. Reporting of Concussion-Like Symptoms After Cycling Crashes: A Survey of Competitive and Recreational Cyclists. Journal of Athletic Training. 2020;55(1):11-16.
American Randonneur
- Rice S. Pedaling through Hot Foot. American Randonneur. 2025:32-33.
- Rice S. Handling a Head Injury: Don’t Deny, Don’t Delay, Don’t Despair. American Randonneur. 2025:30-32.
- Rice S. “Going there”: Frank Recommendations for Conquering Saddle Discomfort. American Randonneur. 2024:26-29.
- Rice S, Fox P. Stretch Break. American Randonneur. 2023:26-28.
Presentations & teaching
- “Caring for Your Undercarriage” — talk for local WTNB cyclists at Peregrine Bicycle Studio, Chicago.
- “Physical Therapy for Cyclists” — presented as a 4-CEU continuing education course for physical therapists at Athletico.
On the bike
Sarah races ultra-distance and self-supported events — and brings that experience into fits for riders training for long days, bikepacking, brevets, and races where problems show up after the first hundred miles.
- Women’s fastest known time (FKT), Mishigami Challenge
- Second-fastest recorded women’s finish, Trans Am Bike Nonstop (2026)
- Finisher, Paris-Brest-Paris 2023
- ACP Randonneur 10000 award
She is featured in Great Water, a film about the 2024 Mishigami Challenge (watch via BIKEPACKING.com).
If you’re preparing for an ultra, a brevet season, or a big bikepacking trip, fit and equipment choices matter differently than they do for a shorter event. That’s part of the work.
Fit Philosophy
Sarah’s approach to bike fitting is grounded in her background as a physical therapist. Safety, comfort, and injury prevention come first — and when those are in place, performance naturally follows.
Safety
A rider must be able to confidently access steering, shifting, and braking. Poor handling is often a bike fit issue, not a skill issue. When fit improves, confidence improves — and riding becomes safer and more enjoyable.
Comfort
Cyclists are often taught to “tolerate” discomfort. Sarah envisions that riders should be able to imagine riding across the country without pain in their hands, feet, neck, or pelvis. Discomfort should be addressed, not endured.
Injury Prevention
Many cycling-related injuries are preventable. As both a clinician and researcher in cycling medicine, Sarah recognizes patterns that can be corrected through fit, equipment choices, and targeted exercise.
Special Populations
Women on Bikes
As a lifelong woman cyclist, Sarah can help you to cut through marketing gimmicks to identify equipment and solutions that truly work.
Endurance & Ultra-Distance Cyclists
If your issue appears after 100 miles — and you’re riding 1000 — Sarah gets it. Experience as a RAAM medic, ultra-endurance racer, and endurance PT informs every fit.
Saddle Discomfort & Pelvic Floor Concerns
In her physical therapy practice Sarah treats pelvic floor dysfunction in patients of all genders. She will apply that knowledge to address saddle discomfort.
In the local cycling community
Sarah is a member of xXx Racing – Athletico and the Chicago Tri Club, and a co-founder and regional brevet administrator (RBA) of Chicago Randonneurs.
Pedaltailor - professional bike fitting in Chicago 