The Darkest Days Of Us Online Pro Mountain Biker

Roam Fest The worlds largest womens mountain bike festival, held annually in Brevard, North Carolina (spring), and Sedona, Arizona (fall).

I was looking for something fulfilling that I could pour my heart into, and my corporate marketing career just wasnt doing it.

I missed my fitness and the feeling of competing and belonging to a team like Id gotten from sports as a kid.

As I lined up with the other women at the staging area while we waited to race our hearts out, I knew: There was something special about this community.

It didnt matter what walks of life we came from, what body types we had, or what we looked like or dressed like.

We all knew what it was like to grind up a steep climb, sail down a flowy descent, and stand on top of a mountain in silent awe.

The Darkest Days Of Us Online Pro Mountain Biker

Over the next decade I traveled to national and world cup races with my pro mountain biker husband.

During this time I found my true calling: I wanted to encourage more women to join this awesome club.

So in 2013 I founded a coaching business called Ladies AllRide.

We run womens mountain bike skills camps around the world to introduce more women to the joys of mountain biking.

We want to show them how it can enhance their lives, and to help them find a place to belong.

My heartache was overwhelming; I constantly questioned everything, including my worth in the world, for a few years.

I continued to lead the camps, even though I felt Id lost my own spark and joy.

At many events during the divorce I found myself bawling right up until moments before my welcome speech.

I would dry my eyes, step out of the van, and welcome everyone with a genuine smile and heartfelt speech.

Our camps are designed to help women realize what theyre capable of, and I knew that if I was asking these riders to be open and vulnerable to the challenges of the weekend, I could let my guard down too.

I spoke openly about what I was dealing with, and I think this openness helped set the stage for events filled with emotional connection, support, and challenge.

They were with me, but I alone had to complete the long, unrelenting, painful climbs where the top was nowhere in sight.

I would contemplate giving up when my legs were on fire, I couldnt catch my breath, and it didnt feel worth it to keep going.

As I pushed through the pain of divorce, my mountain bike community was there to remind me to look ahead and keep the wheels rolling forward.

My tribe of women were there to cheer me on while I suffered through some of the hardest years of my life.

I can say with great relief that Im on the other side of the long climb through divorce.

I am more passionate than ever about my mission to show women around the globe that this lifestyle can exist for them, and that despite what dark times they go through, the bike and community of female mountain bikers can help make each day flow a little sweeter.

More Women-Only Bike Parties to Help You Find Your Own Tribe Rapha Womens 100 On this annual event day (TBA), women-only 100km road rides are hosted all over the world.

WTF Bike Explorers This group hosts bikepacking trips for women, trans, femme, and non-binary riders.