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[title]Jerónimo Páez is a 28-year-old athlete who has turned his bicycle into a storytelling tool. Beyond being one of the world's top 10 urban downhill riders, he uses his unique perspective to share the mountains and trails where he competes.
Yet describing him simply as an athlete would be missing the point. Above all, Jero is a communicator and visual artist whose world blends cycling, art, and community. Across his social media platforms, where he has more than 1.5 million followers, he inspires the biking community and, often without intending to, sparks curiosity and a desire to visit Mendoza.
Riding Trails, Building Community, and Inspiring Curiosity
Jero began filming and uploading videos to showcase the sport, which started as a hobby for him. At the same time, he wanted to prove that Mendoza had not only incredible trails but also a thriving riding community.
"I started making videos to show people that this sport existed in Mendoza and in Argentina," he says, recalling those first clips riding through Chacras de Coria, where he introduced viewers to the trails where his journey began.
By showing different parts of the province from the seat of his bike, he has done more than bring new people into mountain biking—he has inspired them to discover the places he rides.
"People are always asking where I am," he says. "They comment, 'I want to go there,' 'What an amazing place,' 'What a beautiful landscape.'"
He also regularly receives messages saying, "Long live Mendoza," "Long live Argentina," or "Proud of my country."
The Geography That Makes Mendoza One of a Kind
After riding across the globe, Jero still chooses to live at the foot of the Andes for one simple reason: few places offer Mendoza's combination of sunshine, mountains, and year-round outdoor opportunities.
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"For me, it's one of the best places to live," he says. "First of all, because of the sunshine and the warm weather we enjoy almost all year. It's irreplaceable. I can ride my bike, paint, meet up with friends, and head into the mountains without the weather holding me back."
He also highlights how Mendoza's geography offers dramatically different terrain within short distances. "I can ride all year long. Even if there's snow, I can ride in the foothills, and during the summer I can head into the high Andes."
Among his favorite places to ride is Malargüe. He considers southern Mendoza one of the province's greatest treasures. "It's one of the most beautiful places to ride. It's also perfect for fishing, exploring, and spending time outdoors." He also mentions Luján de Cuyo, especially the areas around Potrerillos and the surrounding mountains.
Still, Mendoza differs from internationally renowned mountain biking destinations, where bike parks, ski lifts, and marked trails are common. "Most of the trails here have been built by the riders themselves," he explains. "We look at a mountain and think, 'This could become a trail.'"
But creating a trail isn't simply a matter of riding anywhere. Riders seek permission from landowners or public authorities, ensure vehicle access, and make sure there is an evacuation route in case of accidents.
Páez believes Mendoza has everything it takes to become a leading mountain biking destination. Achieving that, however, will require more infrastructure, better information, and time. While that may sound critical, he remains optimistic, pointing out that many people are already working to build trails, educate newcomers, and strengthen the local community.
In many ways, that's exactly what he's doing himself. Alongside creating content and representing Argentina around the world, he founded his own riding school in Mendoza, 220 Academy. Today, it continues under his supervision, powered by a new generation. "Two of my former students are now running the school," he says proudly.
Art: Another Way of Descending the Mountain
There is another side to Jero—one that steps away from the bike, faces a blank canvas, and connects with the world in a different way. His work as a visual artist has become both an escape and a way of interpreting the landscapes surrounding him. "Art gives me something cycling can't: peace of mind and clarity." It also allows him to connect with people beyond the sport. "My artistic side connects me with people on a more human level. It gives me different conversations and helps me connect with both others and myself."
Jero paints on canvas and customizes helmets, bicycles, cars, storefronts, and murals. "I leave my mark wherever I can. I travel everywhere with my markers and acrylic paints." His work celebrates Mendoza's natural environment and reflects his fascination with organic forms and the landscapes he constantly experiences. "Mountain life is what appears most often in my paintings."
This year, thanks to a project proposed to one of his sponsors, Jero will combine his two greatest passions: art and cycling. The concept revolves around five competition bicycles whose frames will be displayed alongside five original paintings inspired by the experiences he lived throughout the year.
The exhibition will open this October in Andorra at the Commencal Museum, accompanied by a documentary following the entire creative process—from training and competition to the making of the artwork.
Beyond the Podium: Creating, Sharing, and Keeping the Wheels Turning
Although visibility, competition results, social media numbers, and public expectations can create pressure, Jero has learned to separate his own ambitions from everyone else's.
For him, the answer is to return to where it all started—to remember that cycling is about fun, friendship, and shared experiences. Even though downhill is technically an individual sport, he insists he's never alone. "I always ride with people because I get bored by myself. Riding with my friends reminds me why I fell in love with cycling in the first place."
After years of chasing victories, he's now giving more space to the artist and storyteller within himself. Rather than obsessing over results, he wants to focus on producing meaningful, high-quality content for his audience. "I'm still in the world's top 10, but now I'm more focused on making videos and creating content. That's what I want to dedicate myself to 100%."
Whether he's racing through urban downhill courses around the world, descending Mendoza's mountains, or painting on a blank canvas, Jero remains committed to his philosophy of constant creation. In the end, it's that balance that allows the rest of us to experience the excitement of his journey right alongside him.