Three days ago, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this race, so being able to stand on the top step today is really only another testament to showing up, staying curious, and good ol’ fashioned grit. I’m proud of this one.
Author: Abi
Elite mountain bike racer, data science student, former teacher...
BCBR: Singletrack Summer Camp
How to even begin? BC Bike Race is more than a race. It really feels like an experience…a celebration even, of mountain biking and the community around it. I just got home, less than 24 hours ago, and I already want to go back. To preface, I flew out to BC Bike Race this year…
Teamwork makes the dream work
I race as a privateer, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have a team making it possible for me to chase this dream of racing bikes. From the many friends and neighbors who volunteer to take care of Kweli to the organizations (and individuals) supporting me financially and through gear, the network supporting me…
Partiu! Partiu!
The 2024 XCM (Cross Country Marathon) MTB Pan-American Championships took place in Goianá, Minas Gerais, Brazil this past weekend. After racing in Colombia last year, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect as far as checking into the event, the pre-race team manager meeting, and the race itself. Myself, Mark Kransz, and…
Made for the Elements
When its day three of racing in pouring rain, driving wind, and garbage conditions, and you’re still grinning from ear to ear, either something is really wrong with you, or you know you’re doing exactly what you’re made for. This was the realization I came to in the middle of stage three of this year’s…
Racing (not) Solo
Every spring, I put The Appalachian Journey on my calendar as the lone gravel event of the year. Put on by some dear friends, it is a celebration of community, togetherness, and Floyd County gravel. Somewhat uniquely, it is also a partner event. In the past, I’ve always ridden The Appalachian Journey as a fun…
Three for Three in Tennessee
This year, for the annual Tennessee National event at Windrock Bike Park, in Oliver Springs, Tennessee, I opted to race three separate events over the two weekends: Enduro, XCC (Short Track), and XCO (Cross-Country Olympic). Though I didn’t originally intend for these to be the first races of the season, that’s how it worked out….
The Athlete Body
On the recommendation of a fellow female athlete, I picked up Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman last week and I have NEVER FELT SO HEARD. Though I did not get into sport in middle or high school and don’t have specific memories of the transition from…
A season to remember…
I started 2023 with aspirations of building my race experience and skills to qualify for the 2024 XCM World Championship at Snowshoe, WV. Never did I imagine that I’d have the opportunity to race at the 2023 XCM World Championship in Glentress, Scotland… or for that matter, the Pan American XCM Championship in Colombia. By…
Wild & Wonderful West Virginia
Since returning home from Scotland in early August, I’ve spent nearly as much time in West Virginia as I have at home in Virginia–and I’m not complaining! Less than 48 hours after arriving in Roanoke post-World Championships, I headed up to Slatyfork, West Virginia for the Slatyfork Enduro, an epic event on the backcountry trails…
Ride Fierce Racing 