I’ll be updating this as the summer races occur, so stay tuned for further updates!
Middle Mountain Momma
Brittany Nave
Middle Mountain Momma
A Goal: finish sub 4 hours
B Goal: finish without falls or mechanicals
I’ve been suffering off and on from exertion headaches and trying to problem solve this with my doctors for a while. It makes big adventure days even harder when I know i may have a migraine that ruins the rest of my day and evening.
Popped a headache early into Middle Mountain Momma despite going in super hydrated and trying to meter my threshold level. I’d mentally prepared for this ahead of time though as a likely possibility.
I just kept making forward progress all afternoon and enjoyed being on trails in the woods. 5 minutes over my A Goal and a big time in the woods is a successful day.
Loved the course and would like to try it again sometime. I still have lots to learn.
Follow Brittany’s journey here.
Mackenzie Faust
I had full plans to head to the race Saturday afternoon but all the kids started coming down with fevers and my husband didn’t feel comfortable handling it on his own with me being about 4.5 hours away, so had to miss out on Middle Mountain Momma.
Right now my plan is to race a local 12 hour race in October (possibly even put together a women’s team if I can find 3 more).
Follow Mackenzie’s journey here.
Julie Harner
It was SO HARD, haha. Absolutely gorgeous course, but I have never been so obliterated by hills
I’m stoked to have finished my first race, and a tough one too. Great confidence builder. (And the people out there were just super awesome and supportive which was really cool.)
I was proud of my performance for the first 10 miles, then absolutely struggled from 11-17 haha. Ridgelines are not something I have much experience with, and they are terrifying. But I was smiling for a whole lot of the course, even when I was absolutely crushed.
I didn’t manage to connect with any of the other ladies for a photo — i was either too anxious or too exhausted — but did get a podium pic. I placed first in the XC Sport category.
THANK YOU for such a fun opportunity and the training plan along the way. There’s no way I would have had the confidence to sign up for this race otherwise, and it was great to be out there… and see a whole lot of other women racing too!!
Follow Julie’s journey here.
Eva Van Hook
Today was an amazing experience at Middle Mountain Momma! I was pushed to my limits and experienced trails in new and exciting ways. I put in the hard work to prepare for the race and I reaped the benefits. I am truly grateful!
Follow Eva’s journey here.
Brittany Hendricks
I’ve been working toward this race for most of the spring season with @abi.ridefierce, and this weekend everything finally came together. A few weeks ago I injured my knee, so I decided to ride the shorter route, but honestly I still felt incredibly prepared going into race day.
One of my biggest goals this season was improving my fueling and nutrition. When I prerode this course earlier in the year, I struggled HARD, so I knew I needed to take that piece more seriously. Today was a completely different experience — I felt strong and steady the entire race.
I PR’d my previous time by over 30 minutes 🤯, only put a foot down ONCE, and had an absolute blast out there. I was especially pumped to pass a bunch of men on trail 😅 and ended up getting 7th on one of the downhill segments, which I’m super proud of and 1st in Beginner Women’s and 2nd overall in the Beginner category.
Big shout out to Abi for helping keep my training on track and helping me show up feeling confident and prepared. Looking forward to racing the 21 mile next year!
Follow Brittany’s journey here.
Monday Lick Enduro
Jesse King
The Ride Fierce scholarship was such a wonderful experience for me, despite its anti-climactic ending. Abi was a great guide and example along the way. I pushed myself to race multiple downhill races as well as an enduro. I had an absolute blast and made lots of new friends on bikes and even convinced a few to join me in racing! Unfortunately a back injury kept me from the final hurrah at the Mondaylick Enduro, but I am more excited than ever to get back on the bike and back between the tape. Thanks so much for all of the guidance and motivation!
Follow Jesse’s journey here.
Emily Webster
This past winter was a tough one for me for many reasons, but the freak weather that kept me off the bike outside left me feeling especially dismal. It was great to have training and a goal to work towards. Having my first enduro race approaching kept me learning and training and has solidified my passion for mountain biking.
The Monday Lick Enduro race was so much fun. The Monday Lick Trail system was amazing. It’s probably the prettiest place I’ve ever ridden my bike.The pre-ride day was special. I really liked talking to people, and getting some last minute tips and tricks about the race. I’m really glad I got to ride with Abi and crew, it definitely helped my confidence for race day.
I came away from the race proud of myself, and looking forward to the next race. I now have a better idea about my strengths and weaknesses. I was reasonably happy with my fitness, but I know I could improve with a bit more focus in that area. I felt I was able to tackle the trails, but I need to work on cornering. Those switchbacks were no joke!
Follow Emily’s journey here.
Kourtney Rusko
The weekend ended up being one of the best adventures I’ve had in a long time, from fully immersing myself in the racing environment to pre-riding all the stages with some genuine and admirable riders. One of the biggest lessons I’m taking away from this experience is that I didn’t just spend months training mentally and physically for a race, I spent months becoming a racer. While an injury prevented me from competing on race day, it doesn’t take away the dedication, confidence, and skills I gained over the course of this year. I feel as though deepening my connection to the sport and in the mountain bike community may be the greater outcome.
I’m incredibly grateful to Abi, Ride Fierce Racing, the sponsors, and Poca Trails for making this opportunity possible. I’m motivated to keep training, excited to continue growing as an athlete and will build on this experience and carry what I’ve learned into future races. I am honored to have received the Ride Fierce Racing scholarship and will continue to honor and show up for women in this sport and support Abi’s efforts in getting more women on bikes and cheering for one another in every season.
Follow Kourtney’s journey here.
Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell (ORAMM)
Bridget Brown
Follow Bridget’s journey here.
Kate Crockett
Follow Kate’s journey here.
Madison West
Follow Madison’s journey here.
Julita Sulinskaite
Follow Julita’s journey here.
The Shed Enduro
Heather Nowell
Follow Heather’s journey here.
Slatyfork Enduro
Kate Schrock
Follow Kate”s journey here.
Michaux GRVL
Katrina Lyddane
Follow Katrina’s journey here.
Tia Moore
Follow Tia’s journey here.
Karen Good
Follow Karen’s journey here.
Stacey Libbert
Follow Stacey’s journey here.
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:
Ride Fierce Racing 