Wheels in Motion as the 2018 Season Kicks Off

Teammates. Confidence. Strong. Motivation. Fun. Exercise. Healthy. Learning. Fitness. Nature. Amazing. Empowering. These are a few of the words girls listed when asked their reason for joining The Cycle Effect and all important aspects of The Cycle Effect’s Girls Mountain Bike program. After spending the last couple of months offering off-season programming like yoga and hosting recruitment events and informational meetings, the 2018 season has officially kicked off. As girls from the Edwards team make their way inside the Westin Gym for their first practice of the season,   smiles are bright and excitement is high. The girls are starting their season off with team building and indoor strength training before getting on mountain bikes in April. New faces mix with returning faces as the girls circle up to learn each other’s names while attempting to toss weighted medicine balls from girl to girl. Giggles later erupt as these athletes in 5th-12th grades engage in a high-intensity Tabata workout of different exercises compiled by Coach Tam Donelson including push-ups, lunges, planks, mountain climbers, and ice skaters. Coaches Meghan Twohig and Molly Gamble join the girls in the workout, encouraging them along the way. Teammates are meeting and bonding while strength and fitness are building. With the smiles around the room, it is clear fun is definitely being had. While the other Cycle Effect teams are gearing up for their first practices as well, there are so many things we are excited about this season! Expansion is upon us! The Cycle Effect is adding an additional team in Summit County. The Summit North team will make the program more accessible to girls and families in Silverthorne and Dillon. This expansion will bring the total number of girls mountain bike teams to 4 (Eagle, Edwards, Summit North and Summit South) and will also allow us to serve an additional 25% more girls! The goal this year is to empower 125 5th-12th grade girls through mountain bike training, nutritional education, mentorship, community service, goal-setting and college readiness.On the horizon, older girls from the teams will immerse themselves in the natural beauty and amazing mountain biking Moab has to offer. The second annual Moab Leadership Trip will take place over the upcoming February break and provide more experienced participants with leadership skills so they are equipped to lead, mentor and support the younger and newer girls on the teams. They will also work to improve their confidence and riding skills while exploring the mountain bike trails of Moab. Over Spring Break in April, girls from each team will join forces on a Fruita camping trip. Not only does this camping and biking trip provide girls the opportunity to build community with girls on the other team in their county, but it also provides an awesome training ground for new girls to learn mountain bike skills and build confidence riding single track. Mentorship is a crucial pillar of the program as girls learn how to transfer skills like grit and determination learned while overcoming obstacles faced on a mountain bike and apply them to their everyday lives. In 2018 The Cycle Effect is implementing a new mentorship curriculum that ensures all girls receive support and guidance in areas such as nutrition, goal-setting, stress management, and college readiness. Several of our high school juniors are receiving guidance from a Cycle Effect board member, Susan Rosenbach as they are starting to navigate the college admissions, application and scholarship process helping to set these girls up to build brighter futures for themselves.From encouraging physical wellness and healthy habits to building stronger communities and achieving brighter futures The Cycle Effect offers participants so many opportunities to learn, grow and excel in mountain biking and life. Coaches, athletes, staff and volunteers of The Cycle Effect are excited for all things to come in 2018 as we laugh, learn, smile, push out of our comfort zones, try new things, persevere and thrive as a team and community. We will keep you posted on how the season unfolds and see you out on the trails!