Empowered women empower women.
our mission
The Cycle Effect's mission is to empower young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities.
about us
The Cycle Effect is a nonprofit organization that uses the bike as a catalyst to mentor athletes and foster belonging, physical wellbeing, mental health, community engagement, leadership skills and fun outside. With youth and adult programs in Eagle, Summit, Mesa and Routt counties of Colorado, The Cycle Effect provides bikes, gear, transportation, bilingual coaching and low-cost programming to eliminate barriers to entry. As a champion of equity, The Cycle Effect serves female-identifying and non-binary participants, and reserves resources for those who identify as Latina, BIPOC and low-income. The organization also prioritizes riders who face obstacles like bullying and social or emotional challenges.
The Cycle Effect focuses on three primary goal areas: physical wellness, community impact and mentorship, and building brighter futures. By providing an opportunity for girls to be engaged in regular, healthy programs that help build their self-esteem and promote overall wellness, girls are more likely to be healthier, stay engaged in school and set goals that support their future.
Physical Wellness
Provide a positive, safe outlet during after-school and summer hours throughout the year for young women to engage in physical fitness and learn about healthy nutrition.
Teach life skills such as goal setting, overcoming obstacles, time management, stress management, healthy decision making, and fitness and nutrition, that will transfer to their everyday lives outside of The Cycle Effect.
Community Impact and Mentorship
Provide opportunities to engage directly with the local community to understand the importance and value of positively impacting the community and natural environment.
Develop leadership skills in participants to foster mentoring of newer team members and become positive role models on the team and in the community.
Building Brighter Futures
Instill a higher level of self-confidence, perseverance/grit and determination, and a sense of belonging by participating in a team and building relationships with individual coach mentors and teammates.
Provide avenues to support their future and help them stay engaged in school and related activities through mentoring, life skills lessons, and college readiness.
Our Inclusion Statement
The Cycle Effect works to provide young women equal opportunity and access to the sport of mountain biking. We aim to serve 70% of participants who identify as Latina and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and work to remove financial barriers while supporting the social-emotional wellbeing of our participants. By centering our values of equity, compassion, belonging, thriving, courage, and fun, we are committed to creating an organization that allows female-identifying and non-binary participants the opportunity to create brighter futures and build stronger communities.
The Cycle Effect trabaja para brindar igualdad de oportunidades y acceso al deporte de ciclismo de montaña a mujeres jóvenes. Aspiramos a que 70% de nuestras participantes se identifiquen como Latina y/o Negros, Indígenas, y Personas de Color (BIPOC) y trabajamos para remover las barreras económicas mientras apoyamos el bienestar socioemocional de cada participante. Al centrarnos en nuestros valores de equidad, compasión, pertenencia, prosperidad, diversión, y coraje, nos comprometemos a crear una organización con oportunidades para participantes que se identifiquen como mujer y/o de género neutral para crear un futuro brillante y comunidades más fuertes.
Our History
In November of 2010, Donelson Coaching set out to create an opportunity for local young women with the idea that committed and driven kids should be able to participate in a sport we are so passionate about, no matter what their background. They rode bikes while building self-esteem, improving their fitness, and learning about nutritional opportunities. They received mountain bikes and equipment, were trained by professional coaches, and competed in race events throughout Eagle County. Mountain biking provided the means for these girls to escape the stresses of high-school life and teach lifelong skills.
No member had ever taken part in competitive mountain biking; however, each girl became passionate about this incredible opportunity. Together, they created an amazing team dynamic despite different backgrounds and challenges. As a group, these girls overcame all obstacles to become one of the Vail Valley’s premier mountain biking teams.
