Is it possible to say that the singular thing that has made the biggest difference in my skill progression over the last several years is PEOPLE?

I’m a passionate advocate for the power of skills instruction and focused practice and sports psychology and mindset, but when I reflect on the last two years of riding and the progression from full-on XC racer to enduro “bro”, its the people that stand out.

It was people who got me here in the first place

Way back in 2019, before I had even experienced the rocks, roots, and “gravity” of riding in Appalachia, Don encouraged me to stick around after XC Nationals at Winter Park, and ride in the bike park, and I remember thinking even then that the ladies I saw racing Enduro and DH looked a lot more like me than my fellow XC racers. LOL.

Several years later, at the first XCO World Cup that I raced at Snowshoe back in 2022, I somehow survived a burly, wet, XCO course on the mountain on a traditional short-travel XC bike–but not without the help of Kelly, Dan, and Keith (then a stranger) who jumped into coach me through the small water bar drop (which, looking back, should have been the least intimidating feature on course?!). I was entirely unprepared to race that course–but that experience also was my introduction to Snowshoe Bike Park.

I came back to Snowshoe later that fall for laps with Cynthia and Julie and still remember Sam taking me down Four Piston for the first time. Again, I was entirely unprepared, but intrigued and encouraged by the challenge of it.

Even after dipping my toes into the bike park, I don’t know if I would have ever ventured into the world of gravity racing if it wasn’t for people like Dan, Ethan, Zach, and others who encouraged me to give it a try. So in the fall of 2022, I tried my first enduro. It was scary, and something to get better at all at the same time.

I spent about a year full-sending myself in a blind attempt to progress as quickly as possible just by brute-forcing attempts on features that I probably had no business riding before it all blew up in my face. In the spring of 2024, I was riding injured, had scared myself sufficiently to halt all progress, and yet, somehow convinced that I really did enjoy this enduro thing…if I could figure out how to not be terrified of it.

And it was people who saved it

That spring, I started working with Erin Ayala (Skadi Sports Psychology) and Harlan Price (Take Aim Cycling). Together, they helped me to reframe my “I need to conquer this feature at all costs” mentality to one of slow, measured, progression. Erin, Harlan, Jason, Josh, and other coaches helped me give myself the grace to progress at my own pace. They encouraged me to be patient, keep putting in the reps, and not force features that I didn’t feel ready for. “I’m not feeling it” became all the permission I needed to take the B-Line, and come back another day (or not).

Over the same time period, I found myself meeting rad ladies in the sport who are committed to pushing progression–and doing it together. Cathy, Miki, Kelly, Brooke, Jordan, Eddie, and so many more women are all on their own journeys of learning and growth, but all equally hyped to bring others along on the ride! From race pre-rides, to scoping lines, and towing each other in, it’s so awesome to be able to progress together. A rising tide really does lift all boats!

One unintended outcome of needing to mentally reset post-surgery is that I at the first race back, I knew I needed to step away from the ultra-competitive group of riders that I had previously ridden with at the regional enduro races. Instead, I started riding with a crew that I’ve now dubbed the “spirit of enduro” crew. At first, it was just a few of the local guys I ride with who, despite being incredibly strong and fast riders, were super chill and helped me step away from the constant pressure to perform or feel like I need to “prove myself” on the bike. Over the last couple of years, the group has grown, and it’s such a rad crew of humans–Robbie, Matt, Cody, Zen, Ryan, Cathy, and others–who legit don’t care if I finish DFL, or if they have to wait for me to pick my way down the trail. Every one of them is guaranteed to bring the stoke for someone unlocking a new or challenging feature/trail segment, and it’s honestly riding with this crew that makes me love enduro racing as much as I do.

None of this discounts the effect of patient, slow, non-linear progression through practicing the fundamentals and just putting in time on the bike, but I’m equally convinced that I would not be riding at the level I’m at without the people who make riding bikes so incredibly fun and rewarding.

So, who wants to come ride bikes with me?