The four recipients of the 2025 Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship have been hard at work, despite the inevitable setbacks, challenges, and obstacles that come with any attempt to reach a goal.

Here are some short updates from each of them!

The Shed Enduro: Annie Chapelle

My journey has had a sidequest of healing. 

I was hit by a car on my bicycle while bringing my children in their bike trailer to preschool in early April. The effect was immediate and impactful.

I am so thankful to God that He gave me almost all of the damage instead of my children and that I was able to exit the ordeal alive. There are of course emotional, mental, and physical wounds, but I’m thankful to my family and community support to help me recover. I’ve had countless imaging appointments, multiple surgeon consults, physical therapy multiple times a week, emotional support therapy, and follow-ups on top of putting in THE WORK! (and rice, rice, rice). My husband Seth, my PT Colin Van Werkhoven, and my coach Abi get the most massive thank you’s I can muster.

I’m healing, my children are okay, and I’m getting back on track!! I’m proud of myself for working so hard and trying to give myself what I need to heal. It’s a process that will take a long time to fully recover from.

Very, very, Recently, I got a green light for biking tame terrain. I am feeling good! I’m careful about my risk choices, making sure there are potential bail outs. I’m listening to my body, and I’m regaining confidence before adding speed. My stamina took a hit, but I’m working hard to get back.

Abi has me back on a regimen that works with my injuries, and I am finally ready mentally to start the Skadi Sports Psychology classes that are a part of the scholarship. I need all the help I can get, so relying on this beautiful Appalachian/Catoctin Community is key for me. 

Follow Annie’s journey here.

Off-road Assault on Mount Mitchell (ORAMM): Megan Stainback

Training is rolling along strong! I’ve continued to steadily log miles and have added consistent weight training into the mix. I’m focusing on building strength while also being smart about overuse—working to improve bike fit and dull down a long standing battle with carpal tunnel. 

Overall, the legs are feeling solid! I’ve started exploring longer-distance singletrack rides and am beginning to push past the 30+ mile mark. It’s exciting (and humbling) territory. Not gonna lie—just thinking about the distance of ORAMM still makes my brain scream. 9 weeks to go.  But I’m leaning into the discomfort and trusting the process. One ride at a time.

I’ve also been learning more about nutrition—figuring out what works for me on long efforts. I’d much rather drink my calories than chew them. Hydration mixes and liquid fuel are becoming my best friends. 

And again—a huge shoutout to Abi for making all of this happen: the training, the support, the race, the riding, the adventure, and the joy.  You’re a badass. Thank you!

Follow Megan’s journey here.

Slatyfork Enduro: Abby Lent

This past month has been a busy one for me! With finishing my bachelors, finals week, family visiting, and being under the weather for a few days last week, there was a lot going on with training! I’ve been trying to get the best out of shorter rides and being in the gym!

I finished the first block of training (8 weeks base build) and that accomplishment felt really good! It has been so nice having scheduled training and I’ve loved the plan so far; it has really helped me understand the logistics of training as a cyclist! This has been the first time I’ve felt like I’m training as an athlete and it feels really good. I am really excited for the next block of training!

I’ve been spending some time at the local skills park, working on basic skills like bike-body separation, balance, and cornering. I’ve felt like this has helped me on the trails and I want to continue to get super good at those basic skills because I know they will translate to my racing. The reason I was in the bike park more was because my bike was not feeling great on the trails earlier in the month.  I was having some issues with my brakes; they were old and in need of being replaced. I was able to get my hands on some newer brakes, made the switch, and it feels so much better now. I’ve really learned to appreciate having a bike that feels good, getting to know the feeling of when something is off, fixing it, and trying different bike setups. Confidence on the bike comes from feeling good on the bike, and I want to make sure I am confident on race day. 

The weather has been pretty wet recently, making for some muddy rides, but still super fun! Also a great opportunity to get some practice riding in slippery conditions. The mountain-laurel is also getting so pretty here, and the trails are so green and beautiful right now!  I still need to work on speed in steep terrain and tech. I’m looking forward to longer rides this summer, and doing some more gnarly tech. I need to get used to enduro/trail rides that are longer than 15 miles because my race is about 30 miles, so that is my challenge for the summer!

Follow Abby’s journey here.

The Shenandoah 100k: Nicole Ilechie

Balancing life and training is definitely starting to get tricky. Weekends are usually reserved for long rides, but sometimes family responsibilities come first—and when that happens, something’s got to give. I’m still figuring out how to strike that happy medium. Rain hasn’t helped either! Local trails close when it’s wet, and this month has been especially rainy.

At the beginning of May, I did my first ever race—and wow, it was a wake-up call! It took place at Douthat State Park: about 11 miles with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation. Missing time on the bike and in the gym really showed. I’d been on vacation the week before with no access to a bike, and the race made it clear how much sticking to a plan (or not) can impact performance. I was proud to finish, but I wasn’t thrilled with how long it took me. Thankfully, the incredible cycling community reminded me that finishing, especially as a first-timer, is an achievement in itself—and they’re right. I read about self-criticism in Module 3 of the Skadi Sports Psychology Master Class and it offered some good points on replacing that self-criticism with self-compassion.

I’m also learning that not all mountain biking is created equal. The trails and terrain at Douthat were very different from what I’m used to riding locally. That was a big eye-opener. So, starting in June, I’m planning to do at least two weekend rides a month where my race will take place. Practicing on different terrain and elevation profiles feels more important than ever now. I’m honestly really glad I did that smaller race first—it showed me things I wouldn’t have even thought to prepare for.

Now, I’m focused on rebuilding my fitness—both on and off the bike—and improving my fundamentals and getting in more miles. My skills are definitely getting better, and with each ride, I feel more confident. I’ve also started using Strava more regularly, and it’s always a boost to see those little PRs on trails I ride often. I’m both nervous and excited for the road ahead. There are about 94 days until race day, and I know it’s going to take serious work—but I’m ready for it. I was a little discouraged after the race in early May, but I reminded myself of why I started. If I stick with the training plan Abi made for me, I know I can finish in August. It’s going to take some serious grit!

Follow Nicole’s journey here.

Once again, thank you to the sponsors who have stepped up to help support these women, as well as the race directors who are a part of this scholarship:

The Shed Enduro / B Team
Skadi Sport Psychology 
Handup Gloves 
Black Ox Sealant 
CarboRocket 
ESI Grips
TakeAim Cycling
Blue Ridge Adventures
Poca Trails
Shenandoah Mountain Touring