Where I Found My People: A Safe Space for Women and BIPOC Riders

Being an Asian female in a sport typically dominated by white men naturally fosters a sense of imposter syndrome—constantly questioning, What am I doing here? Why am I trying to start biking now? Overcoming that self-doubt through the thrill of going fast or sending a feature is unlike anything else, though the anxiety leading up to it can be just as intense. Since getting into the sport, mountain biking has become a form of therapy for me, pushing me into physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging situations. Every time I achieve something new—whether it's reaching the top of a new hill or ripping down a fresh stretch of singletrack—that imposter voice in my head quiets, even if just for a little while.

From ‘Do I belong here?’ to ‘Watch me rail this corner!’—confidence looks good in dirt.

Attending the Breckenridge MTB Skills Clinic surrounded me with badass women who just wanted to have fun on bikes—which was the best part of the program for me. I especially appreciated that VNTRbirds reserved space for BIPOC individuals, who aren’t as commonly represented in the sport. I was looking for a safe space to get comfortable and build my skills as a beginner MTBer, but more importantly, to break free from the constant cycle of self-doubt and overthinking. I’m my own toughest critic—if I don’t get something right away, I tend to shut down as waves of insecurity come crashing in. The coaches took the time to work with each person individually and as a group, tailoring their support to our unique goals and skill levels. We wrapped up the camp with a fun group ride to bring it all together—and left with new skills, confidence, and friends.

After the clinic, I walked away with new skills and a renewed sense of confidence in the sport. It helped me realize that everyone starts somewhere—and that I’m a badass Asian-American woman doing hard and scary things. Most importantly, I gained new friends and found a community that was incredibly welcoming and encouraging. No one cared about your age, gender, race, or skill level—only that you were just as stoked as they were to be out on the trails.

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Leilani Padua (she/her) is an Asian-American woman who discovered a deep love for the thrill and freedom that mountain biking brings. As a recipient of the VNTRbirds BIPOC Mountain Bike Scholarship, she gained access to a skills clinic that empowered her to take up space and embrace her identity as an outdoor athlete. Through every ride, she’s learning to quiet self-doubt and redefine what belonging looks like on the trail.