Wow, wow, wow. Everything about the Ride Fierce Race Scholarship is still a bit overwhelming to me. What started as a pipe dream to get a few more women at the start lines of some of my regional mountain bike races has expanded beyond anything I ever thought possible. This year, there were 33 applicants from 13 states.
It was incredibly difficult to choose just 20 of these women, and I’m so, so grateful for each and every woman who trusted me enough to apply.
So, without further ado, meet the recipients of the 2026 Ride Fierce Racing Women’s Scholarship:
Each of these women have committed to training for and showing up at one of these eight races in 2026, and I am so excited to see their stories unfold. Of course, I’m here to help them as much as I possibly can, but I hope that you, the community are there too. My goal, aside from providing coaching and support, is to connect them with the wider mtb community, and to share their stories with you all so that you can cheer them on in their journeys (keep an eye out here for longer-form updates, and on Instagram for shorter photo/video updates throughout the year!).
Wormhole
Tasha Roemer
Hi, I’m Tasha. I’m a mother, oncology nurse, farmer, and mountain biker. Although work and home life keep my schedule full, I always make time for a few rides a week. I love long backcountry rides with lots of climbing.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I’ve done a few races in the past but never had any structured training. I’m excited to see how a little guidance and planning can help improve my speed and endurance.
Follow Tasha’s journey here.
Congratulations Tasha! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at Wormhole in April!
The Black Bear Enduro
Jenna Burke
Hey I’m Jenna! I grew up in the Midwest, but am now lucky enough to call the mountains of Asheville, NC my home. I’ve been mountain biking on and off since 2018, but really became hooked after getting my first full suspension a few years back. When I’m not out on the trail I can usually be found camping, reading, or grabbing a local brew with my dog, Porter.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is important to me because I’ve wanted to get more into racing but felt I have lacked the training and confidence. Getting the opportunity to train and connect with more women on bikes will hopefully not only help me be more prepared, but inspire other women to race as well.
Follow Jenna’s journey here.
Congratulations Jenna! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at the Black Bear Enduro in April!
Middle Mountain Momma
Brittany Nave
A tomboy afraid of ballet and tutus, I was lucky enough to spend most of my childhood hours at the barn, mucking stalls and dragging frozen water buckets around. The outdoors have always been my happy place and where I make my closest friends and best memories. After years of backpacking and trail running, biking is my new favorite outdoor challenge.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
Endurance sports are tricky and learning new skills as an adult can be tough. Most events have a much higher ratio of male participants compared to women. I am so thankful and proud to participate in Abi’s Ride Fierce Women’s scholarship. We need more women on bikes to encourage each other and make it more inviting for future trail girlies.
Follow Brittany’s journey here.
Mackenzie Faust
I am based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and love spending time outdoors. I am an avid mountain biker, and enjoy riding bikes with my family and exploring local trails. I’m fueled by adventure, fresh baked goods and quality time with the people I love.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship matters to me because it lowers the barrier to entry for new riders and racers. It helps build a more inclusive, supportive racing community where everyone has a chance to participate.
Follow Mackenzie’s journey here.
Julie Harner
I live in Loudoun County, VA where I am an avid gravel cyclist with the VeloPigs. A former college triathlete, I discovered a love for off-road cycling adventures and exploring new trails with friends. I am new to mountain biking and enjoying the constant challenges it brings. I work as a product designer and volunteer for a local educational non-profit in my spare time.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I never would’ve had the courage to sign up for a mountain bike race anywhere even remotely intimidating or unfamiliar! This scholarship is pushing me to challenge myself and is helping me become more confident that I can succeed.
Follow Julie’s journey here.
Eva Van Hook
I am a wife, mother of adult kids, and a housing advocate. I work daily both in my office and on the trails encouraging women and families to be brave and work hard to achieve their goals. I have been a mountain biker all my life, but it was only when my children grew older that I was able to return to my passion.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I am thrilled to be a part of this year’s Ride Fierce Race Scholarship cohort. The Ride Fierce mission aligns perfectly with my personal values, and I am excited to share my journey!
Follow Eva’s journey here.
Brittany Hendricks
I began mountain biking almost four years ago and quickly fell in love with the sport. Riding with the Roanoke Riveters, a local women’s mountain biking group, has challenged me and helped me grow tremendously as a rider. I later began coaching with a local youth mountain bike team, where supporting young riders has motivated me to improve my skills, ride faster, and lead by example through racing.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is important to me because representation and support matter. As a woman and a youth coach, I want to be a visible role model, showing other women that they belong in this space, can build confidence through racing, and can continue riding and growing in this sport.
Follow Brittany’s journey here.
Congratulations Brittany, Mackenzie, Julie, Eva, and Brittany! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at Middle Mountain Momma in May!
Monday Lick Enduro
Jesse King
Hi, I’m Jesse — with years of experience coaching and competing in Olympic weightlifting I now bring that same intensity to mountain biking. Since discovering the sport in 2023, I’ve progressed from trail riding to bike parks in 2024, and moved to the mountains in 2025 to level up my riding. I’m fueled by hard work, fast learning, and a love for pushing limits (for better or worse sometimes) and challenging myself in new ways—plus snacks, laughs, and solid pre-ride braids.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
The Ride Fierce women’s scholarship is important to me because women belong – on bikes, in the gym, everywhere. And the more women we get out here doing it, hopefully the more women will see themselves represented and feel encouraged to show up.
Follow Jesse’s journey here.
Emily Webster
My name is Emily Webster. I live in Richmond, VA. I ride with Melanin Base Miles out of the DMV area. I’ve got seriously into cycling about 2 years ago.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I’ve leaned more and more into off road riding and am excited to explore enduro and meet more fierce women. I am excited about this scholarship because racing can be intimidating and a little bit of support goes a long way. I found in gravel and cyclocross racing that the more women are involved, the more fun the race is.
Follow Emily’s journey here.
Kourtney Rusko
’m an adventurous spirit living a semi-nomadic lifestyle rooted in outdoor exploration, personal growth, and whole-body wellness. When I’m not logging work hours as a field scientist for national parks, I’m logging volunteer hours advocating for environmental awareness and conservation efforts to protect the landscapes that make outdoor recreation and adventure possible. Mountain biking has deepened my connection to nature, my own self awareness, and how I navigate life’s challenges on and off the trails.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is meaningful to me because it represents a shift from quietly loving the sport to bravely stepping into it. Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t feel nearly as capable of taking that leap. As I enter my 30s, this moment feels symbolic of choosing courage, confidence, and self-belief in a new season of life. Abi’s commitment to getting more women on bikes and the support, opportunity, and passion behind Ride Fierce, extends far beyond racing. It is purpose-driven, rooted in community, and is a powerful movement within women’s mountain biking that I am truly honored to be part of.
Follow Kourtney’s journey here.
Congratulations Jesse, Emily, and Kourtney! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at the Monday Lick Enduro in June!
Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell (ORAMM)
Bridget Brown
I am an Iowa native currently residing in Georgia. I’ve built my life around the outdoors and spend my free time whitewater kayaking, backpacking, and traveling. Two years ago, I got back on a bike for the first time since childhood, and it quickly rose to the top of my favorite activities. My goals moving forward include starting structured training, discovering which types of racing suit me best, and diving deeper into bikepacking.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is important to me because it gives me—and other women—the opportunity to enter a male-dominated sport with confidence. I believe in pushing past expectations, and I want to inspire other women to challenge the limits of what they think is possible. Receiving this scholarship will give me the tools and support to grow as a rider and to serve as an ambassador for women entering the biking world.
Follow Bridget’s journey here.
Kate Crockett
My cycling journey actually started with spin classes led by an instructor who loved to ride her bike outside of class, and she gave me my first pair of clipless pedals! I started on bike paths, then transitioned to road riding, then gravel, and finally added mountain biking. My mental health is heavily influenced by the outdoors, and mountain biking gives me that space to really focus while being surrounded by nature. Outside of my hobbies, I’m a licensed professional counselor and I work with children who have experienced trauma. The community and the experiences I have through riding bring me so much joy and restore me on my low days.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is important to me in so many ways! It reduces barriers to entry into mountain bike racing by providing me with the coaching and accountability that I’ve never had before. I love to ride my bike, but I’ve never actually had a “plan” and someone to work with me as an individual (including my schedule, my strengths, and my location in my journey). Even more than that, it’s providing that emotional piece through the mental health performance master class and a community of women who are trying hard things. As a counselor, I’m aware of the importance of the mental component in racing and I know that you can’t always do it alone. This scholarship turns my journey into “our” journey – and that’s a stronger motivation than if I’d tried to do it alone.
Follow Kate’s journey here.
Madison West
Hi my name is Maddie! I am 27 and live in Washington, DC. I’ve always enjoyed biking as a way to cross train for field sports but as injuries have taken me off the field recently, I have had the opportunity to explore more of the biking world. This past year I tried out a few new (to me) disciplines and got to know so many people who make the cycling community special. I love the thrill of mountain biking and the endless learning. There is something super cool about riding the same trail over and over and learning something new every time.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I’m excited for this opportunity to race ORAMM as it will push me to train my fitness and endurance in a way that I never have before. I’ve never ridden 100k on a mountain bike! Also, It’s one thing for me to go out for a ride but racing is a completely different mindset. I think training for and racing ORAMM will teach me a lot about myself, what I am capable of, and how to handle a new kind of stress. I’m so excited to see where the next few months of training take me and I’m excited to get out and meet more people on the trails.
Follow Madison’s journey here.
Julita Sulinskaite
I am Julita, a mom to a wonderful two year old, a women’s coach, and a cross country mountain biker. Originally from Lithuania, I have lived and worked in Germany, the UK, and Greece before settling in the U.S. three years ago. More than anything, I love adventures in nature with my family and a good mtb challenge.
Why do I want to race ORAMM?
There are several reasons why I want to participate in ORAMM, but this race has everything I, as a person and a cyclist, dream of. It offers an adventure, a challenge, and an opportunity for personal growth. Additionally, there’s a strong community, and I love a good competition, so having other women to race with makes me feel really happy!
Follow Julita’s journey here.
Congratulations Bridget, Kate, Madison, and Julita! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at ORAMM in July!
The Shed Enduro
Heather Nowell
I have been a middle school band director for 15 years and actively perform as a percussionist in local community bands. I love camping and hanging out with my dog, Rambo. I’ve only been seriously biking for about two years!
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
I’m so excited about the women’s scholarship because having the resources and support to become a stronger and better female athlete is something that I think a lot of women in their 40s do not always have access to. The experience of working with Abi and the rest of the Ride Fierce supporters and scholarship winners will allow us to show even more women that it’s possible to get out there and be strong and confident athletes, even if it’s not normal or generally accepted for “old ladies” to be out there shredding!
Follow Heather’s journey here.
Congratulations Heather! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at The Shed Enduro in August!
Slatyfork Enduro
Kate Schrock
I’m a 42-year-old mountain biker, mom, and part-time bike mechanic who’s been racing bikes in one form or another for over 20 years -XC, CX, fixie, and BMX. Last year I entered my first enduro race and was instantly hooked.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship would help remove financial barriers that currently limit my ability to train and race, including registration and coaching support. I chose the Slaty Fork race because it was the only Pro race option available, and it also happens to hold personal meaning—it’s where my dad took me to watch mountain biking for the very first time when I was a kid, and I don’t think I’ve been back since.
Follow Kate”s journey here.
Congratulations Kate! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at the Slatyfork Enduro in August!
Michaux GRVL
Katrina Lyddane
I’m 36 and new to racing, with a deep love for spending time outdoors through running, hiking, and cycling. I’ve been a consistent runner for the past two years, and in April 2025 I got my first gravel bike and began riding regularly. That journey led me to complete my first century ride this past November. I’m motivated by pushing myself both physically and mentally and have been eager to grow more involved in riding and racing.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
Being part of the Ride Fierce Women Scholarship means a great deal to me, and I’m excited to join a group of driven women who challenge themselves while building a supportive community that encourages more women to enter the sport. I’m looking forward to pushing my limits and helping bring more women to the start line with us.
I’ll be racing in the Michaux GRVL race in September and I’m super excited!
Follow Katrina’s journey here.
Tia Moore
I am a gravel and MTB cyclist based in MD, focused on finding strength, clarity, and joy on two wheels. I train with an emphasis on building confidence and endurance after cancer treatment. My current goal is competing in the Michaux GRVL race. I ride to grow stronger, ride farther, and discover what I’m capable of—one mile at a time.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship is important to me because it supports my journey back to strength and confidence after cancer. Racing Michaux GRVL is about pushing my limits, finding joy in the ride, and showing what women can achieve when we embrace challenge and opportunity.
Follow Tia’s journey here.
Karen Good
My name’s Karen Good I’m 59 years old. For 40+ years I’ve been competing in sports like running, swimming, open water swimming, Biking (many disciplines), alpine skiing, triathlon (road and off). I’ve trained for everything from 50 yd sprint to a half ironMan triathlon. I do those activities recreationally too.
I’ve been an instructor and coached some of these sports, with most experience coaching swimming.
I’ve also had formal instruction and coaching in these sports, Except MTB. I guess I didn’t know about MTB coaching and lessons till recently. I’m so glad for this opportunity, as I have never raced anything like gravel before.
For my work, I am a physical therapist who specializes in neurological and orthopedic physical therapy. I’m board certified in pediatrics and orthopedics. my clinical expertise is centered around advanced theories for restoration of function for people are super palsy, and after spinal cord injury. I am also experienced in multi-trauma, brain injury, neurological, sports medicine rehabilitation. I am an expert in the movement systems of the body and how to teach people how to move typically and efficiently; and how to move when they have sustained paralysis. My work includes a lot of advanced modalities and both ordinary and groundbreaking technology. I have a lot of interest in technologies and adaptive equipment including adaptive mountain bikes. Prior to becoming a physical therapist I was a neurobiologist. Teaching and learning have been woven throughout my career(s).
Follow Karen’s journey here.
Stacey Libbert
I’m a high school English teacher and trail runner turned gravel newbie. I’ve put in a lot of ultra & trail race miles over the years, gained more than a few scars, and have a lifelong love of endurance sport. Through the Ride Fierce Scholarship, I’m ready to jump into a new chapter, training for Michaux Gravel and riding alongside other fierce women.
Why is the Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship important to me?
This scholarship represents an exciting new chapter for me as a 50+ athlete—proof that adaptation doesn’t mean the end of ambition. Abi, Ride Fierce, and our sponsors are giving me the support, education, and community I’ve been looking for to pivot into a new discipline without giving up competition or my identity. I hope other women see this and know that reinvention is not only possible, it’s powerful.
Follow Stacey’s journey here.
Congratulations Katrina, Tia, Karen, and Stacey! We are excited to support you in your journey this summer and see you at Michaux GRVL in September!
Finally, 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:
Ride Fierce Racing 