Though I was very much on the “fringes” of the team that spent the last several years working to bring Endurance MTB National Championships to Roanoke, I was involved just enough to know that it was a possibility…and then, eventually, that it was really going to happen. There’s not much I like better than showing…
Tag: bike
Living my best life
Last fall, as I was recuperating from shoulder surgery, I started dreaming about the potential of making a road trip to the Pacific Northwest to ride and race. I knew that the North American Enduro Cup happened in late June in Kellogg, Idaho, and that it was a race I wanted to prioritize in 2025….
Finding Balance
That title sounds like I’m about to write some kind of self-help blog, not a race report, but c’est la vie. One of the mantras (in addition to the ever-present “stay curious”) that I’ve added to my top tube this season is “Balance.” In one of my skills lessons earlier this season, Harlan (of Take…
2025 Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship: Early Summer Update
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…
Enduro, bro
I’ve been pretty open about how much of a mental challenge it has been for me to transition into enduro racing from my cross country background. Coming back from injury, I’ve tried to step away from the high performance expectations that I put on myself and find a place where I can be freed to…
What if…?
Earlier this year, some friends mentioned to me that they were going to do a “stage race” version of the Rockstar Trail, a local point-to-point ultra endurance event, during the grand depart in April. I was intrigued, mostly because the fact that the Rockstar route starts in Harrisonburg and finishes in Roanoke with 270 miles…
2025 Ride Fierce Women’s Scholarship: Spring Update
In the last two months, Annie, Megan, Nicole, and Abby have been diligently training and preparing for their selected races. All four women are registered–so prepare to see them at The Shed Enduro, ORAMM, The Shenandoah 100k, and the Slatyfork Enduro this summer! Here are some short updates from each of them! The Shed Enduro:…
Spring is Here: Finding Balance in Life’s Seasons
I’ve been thinking a lot about balance lately. It’s no secret that many athletes at the highest levels have openly renounced balance, claiming that its necessary to go all-in on their chosen sport in order to be successful. However, others are pushing back on that idea, Kate Courtney and Sonya Looney among them, claiming that…
The Long Road Back
If you’ve ever gone for a hike, you likely have experienced the false hope of thinking that your destination is “just around the next bend” or “over the next hill.” My recovery from shoulder surgery feels much the same way. Back in October, when I first had surgery, I was looking forward to my first…
Ride Fierce Racing 