"We are here to make cyclists for life, good humans for life—and we just do that through mountain biking." – Amanda Carey

Marley and Ellen sit down with Amanda Carey, National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) President, to talk about how NICA's programming builds character and community through youth mountain biking. She discusses how they're approaching issues of inclusivity, belonging, equitable access to their sport, and more in today's episode.

You can learn more and donate to NICA on their website, https://nationalmtb.org/

02:55 Coaching and Team Dynamics

07:37 Challenges and Inclusivity

13:42 Philosophy of Coaching

21:23 Community Involvement

26:01 How to Support NICA

30:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hey folkx, we're here with a few thoughts after the U.S. election. In case you were concerned—we're not going anywhere! And we're saying it out loud.

The election has some immediate impacts, like an administration change, as well as regional transportation funding wins and the first openly transgender member of Congress!

Check in with us on Instagram, @AllBodiesOnBikes to let us know how you're doing 💗

Links mentioned in the show:

People for Bikes' Round up of Transportation wins in the 2024 election

Nashville, Tennessee passes $3.1B transit funding

Sarah McBride will be the first openly transgender member of congress

Most athletes announce they're coming out of retirement, only to show up ready to roll at the next big race. But not Ellen Noble!

As an authentic and inspiring fixture in cyclocross racing, Ellen's announcement to un-retire was actually the start of beginning to train again after two years out of the professional circuit. Listen up to hear why that was important to her, how her studies to become a nutritionist will connect to her passion, and the perspective shift that comes with a concussion.

Plus, both Ellens get confused by talking to a fellow millennial Ellen at least twice.

Links mentioned in the show:

Ellen Noble's podcast, This One's For You on Apple or Spotify

Donate $50 or more to All Bodies On Bikes during our fall fundraiser and get a pair of Goodr x ABOB sunglasses!

Simone Biles Rising is on Netflix

All Bodies on Bikes Zwift group ride — link coming soon!

Follow Ellen on Instagram @EllenLikesBikes

Follow ABOB on Instagram @AllBodiesOnBikes

Jacquelyn Francis is a renowned climate scientist and the founding executive director of the Global Warming Mitigation Project.

Earlier this summer, she embarked on an incredible 600 mile e-bike ride from Salt Lake City to Sun Valley, Idaho and back. Her journey aimed to raise awareness for climate action and to promote sustainable travel, demonstrating that long distance biking is not only feasible, but also a powerful statement against carbon intensive travel methods.

Along the way she learned about the importance of community, both for climate mitigation... and navigating rural routes with questionable infrastructure.

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We're fundraising!

Our fall fundraiser for All Bodies on Bikes is officially live—and we need your help! We're trying to raise $10,000 to keep growing this incredible community, making cycling accessible to everyone, no matter their size, shape, or experience level.

Your support today will help us fund more inclusive events, offer more resources, and spread the message that all bodies truly belong on bikes.

And as a special thank you, anyone who donates over 50, we'll get our custom All Bodies on Bikes x Goodr sunglasses, which are really fun. (They're named the hottest thing on two wheels. 😎)

Head to AllBodiesOnBikes.com to donate and please share with your friends!

Let's ride together and make this movement bigger and better than ever.

The All Bodies on Bikes team had a busy summer! Tons of events, live podcasting while living out of a van, big industry moves... and more! Listen up for a recap from fearless leaders Marley Blonsky and Kailey Kornhauser with tagalong co-host Ellen Schwartze

We also share an update on what's next for All Bodies on Bikes: new chapters (👋 hey there, Portland and DFW!), new resources, and our first big fundraising push. (Psst, did you know you can already donate on our website??)

Referenced in the show:

Marley's summer road trip podcast series — just skip back a few episodes to find:

• SBT Gravel Behind the Scenes with Amy Charity & Greer Van Dyck
• Live from Joyride with Lisa Congdon and Kelsey Long
• Queer + Bikes with B Steele and Lauren Mehl

Iresha is the founder and ride leader for Black Girl Joy Bike Ride, a bicycle accessibility group for Black Women in Philadelphia. The ride just made Philly magazine’s “Best of Philly” for 2024.

We talk to Iresha about how rides build community, the challenges and joys of leading a group ride, building purposefully inclusive and protected spaces, and her successful application to join the All Bodies on Bikes team at Mid-South Gravel next spring!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Follow Iresha @ireshadahoodtherapist on Instagram

Email Iresha at iresha.picot at gmail.com 

Watch the joy-filled video from Philadelphia Inquirer

Full article on The Philadelphia Inquirer: This bike riding group for Black women goes at its own pace

Iresha’s co-authored book, The Color of Hope: People of Color Mental Health Narrative

Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia donation link: https://bicyclecoalition.org/get-involved/giving/ 

Marley’s Cycling Weekly op-ed on climbing: I’m a fat cyclist and here’s how I made peace with climbing

And as always

Follow @allbodiesonbikes on Instagram

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at www.allbodiesonbikes.com

All Bodies on Bikes is back from summer break and feeling refreshed. This season Marley Blonskey is joined by new co-host Ellen Schwartze for interviews with the cycling scene's ground breakers and world changers.

This episode introduces Ellen, and takes a moment to re-introduce new listeners to Marley. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!

Show references:

• Former host Maggie Lowe was selected to perform their music at Charlotte Pride this summer. Congrats, Maggie!!
• Previous episode: Advocating for Active Transportation with Michael, Lauren, and Amber from BikeWalkKC
• The Manatee Cycling Club sweatshirt that Ellen wore when she officially met Marley
• WaPo article: They call themselves ‘fat cyclists’ — and they want to get more people, of all sizes, on bikes (Paywall, sorry!!)
• Article: Cycling while on your period
• Marley's interview on The Adventure 'Stache with Payson McElveen

Today, we’re diving into one of the most exciting events in the gravel cycling world and an event that has been pivotal to ABOB programming and growth: SBT GRVL. Held in the stunning landscape of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, SBT GRVL is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of community, inclusivity, and the joy of cycling. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or new to gravel, SBT GRVL offers something for everyone, with routes that challenge the pros and welcome newcomers alike. The event has quickly become a must-do in the gravel calendar, not just for the epic terrain but for the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every rider feel like they belong. 

Joining us today are the Race Director Amy Charity and Greer Van Dyck, the Director of Community Relations, who will share insights into what makes SBT GRVL so special and how they’re working to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or ability, has a place at the start line.

Amy Charity is a Colorado native, born in Fort Collins. At the age of 34, she left the financial industry to pursue her passion and a career in professional bike racing. Amy raced all over the world and at the highest level of the sport. She was a member of the US National Team, holds a national title in the Team Time Trial and raced in the World Championships. She now directs and owns SBT GRVL while competing on gravel.

Greer Van Dyckis the Community Relations Director for SBT GRVL and was born in Georgia but was built for the mountains. At the age of 20, she hit the road from Athens, Georgia and made her way to Boulder, CO. At the beginning of 2020, she started her own business providing leadership development trainings and coaching for organizations. Community engagement and riding bikes are also two of her greatest passions, and loves how her work with SBT GRVL combines the two so naturally. She loves to trail run, mountain bike, and gravel ride in the warmer months, and backcountry ski through the Winter. She lives in Steamboat Springs, CO with her husband and two pups!

SBT GRVL

This week is another Road Trip Edition of the All Bodies on Bikes Podcast, this time as a Live Recording from Joyride in Tygh Valley, Oregon. Joining us this week are Lisa Congdon and Kelsey Long, for a conversation about inclusion, how it’s never too late to ride, being an accomplice, and our bike origin stories. 

Lisa Congdon is an internationally known artist and illustrator. She makes art for clients around the globe, including The Library of Congress, Target, Warby Parker, and REI, among many others, including numerous cycling brands and causes. 

Lisa's happy place is the sweet spot at the intersection between art, activism and bikes. In 2021, she was named “One of the 50 Most Inspiring People and Companies According to Industry Creatives” published by AdWeek. When she's not making art, you can find her racing her bike around Oregon, mostly on gravel. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon with her wife and her dog Milkshake. 

Kelsey Long is a proud member of the Navajo Nation and currently lives on the Choctaw reservation in Southeast Oklahoma. She can be found on the trails running but has recently been spending more time in the saddle. She started riding in 2017 and most recently completed her longest distance at Midsouth this past March. 

Links:

Lisa Congdon’s Website

Lisa’s Instagram

Kelsey’s Instagram

We Run Long

Tune in this week as Marley kicks off our special Road Trip Series of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast, with Queer+ Bikes! 

Queer+ Bikes is a Northern Colorado based queer-centered cycling and community group, started by Bethel "B" Steele & Lauren Mehl in the Fall of 2022. Making friends as an adult can be difficult, and Lauren and B wanted to find a way to create a space for truly welcoming group rides in a social environment. Queer+ Bikes invites queer folks and allies who are committed to upholding safe space and welcomes all bodies, experiences, and genders on bikes! 

Queer+ Bikes strives to reduce barriers to cycling through our free gear closet, community events, resource sharing, educational opportunity, and monthly multi-surface (bike path, pavement, and gravel) no-drop group rides. We value creating community just as much as we love riding bikes. 

Queer+ Bikes rides on Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, and Ochethi Sakowin territories.

Follow us on Instagram:

@allbodiesonbikes

@feisty_media

All Bodies on Bikes Website: https://www.allbodiesonbikes.com/

Feisty Media Website: https://livefeisty.com/

Tifosi: Use the code FM20 to get 20% off your order at tifosioptics.com

Fierce Hazel: Use code is allbodies for 30% off at fiercehazel.com