Why Building a Mountain Biking Community in Colorado of Women Riders is so Important
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
By Lisa Seaman McKendry
I’m writing this from Moab, Utah—during one of my regular stints in the desert. I come out here at least twice a year, and my connection to this place runs deep. I’ve been riding bikes my entire life—growing up in Japan, I’d hop on my bike and ride everywhere, from bustling streets to the local train station (cue a photo of a Japanese train station!). But mountain biking? That was something new and totally different.
It was my senior year of high school. I had just moved to a new town, and new country, and didn’t have much of a community. Some kids from another school invited me to go “mountain biking,” and I remember thinking how odd they looked in their lycra, helmets, and funny glasses. That is, until I went over the bars for the first time. Ah, that’s why they wear helmets! I’m fairly glad baggy shorts came on the scene, but after enough hours in the saddle, I’ve still appreciate a good chamois!
After two soccer seasons and some major life changes, I opted against staying on the soccer team. Instead, I joined the local mountain biking team. This was in Northern California, and while collegiate teams didn’t really exist yet, there was a growing racing scene. It was a small field back then, which made it relatively easy to stand out—we'll just call it a right place at the right time kind of scenario…
Back in those days, there were hardly any women in mountain biking. I remember vividly the first time I got real instruction. Years into my journey, I met Sara Ballantyne, a certified badass, who taught me how to shift my weight forward when climbing. I even had the chance to chase her from Batopilas to the rim of Copper Canyon (5,500 feet of vertical gain). Let’s just say the experience was humbling, and I happily hopped in the truck when it rolled by. Sara rode the whole thing and still had a smile on her face. It reminded me of when I learned to surf—a frustrating experience watching my boyfriend call to me from the outside while I got crushed on the inside for weeks, until I took a lesson from a skilled female instructor. Then it all clicked.
As the years passed and more women joined the sport, I found myself part of a community of incredible women. These are people who have become lifelong friends, adventure buddies, and kindred spirits. We’ve sessioned trails, encouraged each other, and helped each other grow both on and off the bike.
What’s been even more rewarding is sharing this passion with the next generation. I’ve had the joy of teaching my own children how to ride, watching their confidence and skills grow on the trails. I’ve also had the privilege of coaching a local girls’ mountain biking team, where I see young riders learning the same lessons that mountain biking taught me—resilience, balance, and the power of community. Watching these girls support each other on the trail and celebrating their progress has been one of the most fulfilling experiences.
For the last three years, I’ve returned to coaching, and I’m so excited to see how much the sport has progressed in terms of teaching and building a mountain biking community In Colorado. The vocabulary and structure around skills are game-changers, helping women progress quickly in a supportive environment.
Mountain biking has taught me so much—balance, perseverance, and the value of community. . The sport itself is thrilling, but it’s the people you share the journey with that make it unforgettable.
Lisa (she/her) has been an avid mountain biker since high school and is thrilled to be part of sharing that passion with another generation. Back in the early days of mountain biking, she spent 6 summers guiding at a camp in Park County, Colorado and taught kids ages 10 through high school mountain biking and backcountry travel. Her travels and guiding also landed her in Costa Rica as an instructor at the Costa Rica Rain Forest Outward Bound School.
Most of all, she loves adventuring and exploring outdoors with her kids, be it on bike, ski, raft or foot.
