What can mountain biking teach us?

Mountain biking by its nature requires a precise set of skills to ascend (and descend) often complex terrain successfully and safely. Very few riders naturally have these skills when they start mountain biking. The movements of new riders are clumsy and awkward and they desperately fear even the most minor obstacle in their path. However, over time and with plenty of practice, those little neurons in their brains keep firing. New synapses are formed and established connections are strengthened. The riders find a grace they never knew existed and they easily ride over those once dreaded obstacles. They corner through tight switchbacks, confidently roll and jump off drops and pop wheelies in the parking lot.So is this all mountain biking can teach us? A new set of technical skills?I started volunteering with The Cycle Effect this past summer. New to the area, I was eager to get involved with a non-profit that was dedicated to getting more girls on bikes. On one of my first rides with the team, I asked some of the girls what was the best thing that they had learned so far as a member of TCE. As we climbed up Berry Creek, the girls immediately responded with statements like “Never give up” and “Try things even if they scare me”.I was totally taken aback by this. While it was clear that the girls had learned some impressive technical riding skills, mountain biking and being part of TCE had taught them so much more than just that. It had taught them to persevere, even when things got tough or scary. It had taught them that if you fall down, you get back up and try again. It had taught them to be loyal to their teammates and to have their back. And perhaps most importantly, it had taught them to view failures and setbacks as opportunities for learning and self-growth.The mission statement of an organization is only just a statement unless it truly seeps into the individuals involved within an organization. The fact that the girls said this unprompted on my first ride with them says something powerful about the values TCE truly instills in these young women. My continued involvement with the riders, coaches and staff since then has only further confirmed this for me. TCE is a non-profit that truly builds character and grit in these girls that impacts their lives far beyond mountain biking.So what can mountain biking teach us? Maybe the best way to answer this question is to ask one of TCE girls next time you see them. You might be surprised by the answer.