The Women Who Ride: Building Community, Breaking Barriers, and Shaping the Future of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is more than a sport. It’s a journey, a challenge, and for many, an escape. But at its core, it’s about community—about the people who build the trails, organize the rides, and support one another as they navigate the twists and turns of both the forest and life itself.

This International Women’s Day, Blackstone Valley NEMBA recognizes the incredible women who make our chapter what it is today. Some of these women were nominated by their peers, others are the unsung heroes behind our biggest initiatives. Their contributions—whether in advocacy, leadership, or simply showing up and creating a welcoming space—are shaping the future of the sport in our valley.

Finding Mountain Biking, and Finding Themselves

No two riders take the same path into mountain biking. Some start young, discovering the trails as kids, while others find the sport later in life and fall in love with the sense of freedom it provides.

I often describe myself as an ‘adult-onset athlete.’ It wasn’t until I turned 40 that I really started getting serious about riding

Kristin Brandt, on what drew her to the sport.

For Kristin Brandt, cycling became part of her life in 1996 when she met her husband, Steve. While she started on a mountain bike, her riding evolved alongside life’s priorities—kids, career, and fitness. “I often describe myself as an ‘adult-onset athlete.’ It wasn’t until I turned 40 that I really started getting serious about riding, and took up racing (triathlon, cyclocross and most recently, mountain biking).”

Kristin’s journey took her through triathlons, cyclocross, and eventually back to the trails. Today, mountain biking and gravel riding are her favorite because, as she says, “they keep me in the woods, and off the roads.”

For Jeny Gangemi, mountain biking came even later. She grew up in New York City, where her banana-seat bike gave her freedom, but trails weren’t on her radar. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s that she discovered the sport, thanks to her martial arts teacher, Laura Petsching.

“I hardly ever think of myself as being a woman when I ride—because I feel like a kid again.”

That joy of riding kept her coming back, but she quickly realized that the pace of group rides didn’t always match what she was looking for. So, she built something new. “That was my challenge, and it’s why I created the Trail Snails group last year—for women and men who want a slower-paced ride, with frequent stops for fun, photos, and rest.”

I’d find a dirt road and, of course, I had to investigate. At the end of the dirt road, quite often, a trail started. And I had to find out where it went.

Laura Zimmer, on how she got into mountain biking.

Laura Zimmer, on the other hand, has been riding for as long as she can remember. What started as childhood explorations on a 10-speed road bike turned into a lifelong passion. “I’d find a dirt road and, of course, I had to investigate. At the end of the dirt road, quite often, a trail started. And I had to find out where it went.”

That curiosity has never left her. To this day, she seeks out ways to connect trail systems, linking them together and expanding the possibilities of where a ride can take her.

Breaking Barriers and Building Community

While these women found their own way into the sport, they all share a commitment to making mountain biking more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible.

Kim Powell, one of Blackstone Valley NEMBA’s At-Large Officers, has played a crucial role in making sure that events like the Best Dam Ride are more than just successful—they’re community-driven and sustainable. Thanks to her leadership, last year’s event was one of the most well-attended and well-organized in recent memory.

Then there’s Angela Wood, a former VP of the chapter, who has been instrumental in growing BV NEMBA’s youngest demographic. Last year, she took the lead in developing and driving kids’ rides, helping introduce more young riders to the sport in a fun and approachable way.

And when it comes to pure enthusiasm and positivity, few can match Emily and Linda Jannery, the mother-daughter duo whose energy lights up every event they participate in. Their love for the sport is contagious, proving that mountain biking isn’t just about endurance—it’s about the joy of sharing the trail with others.

Representation and the Power of Visibility

The women of BV NEMBA aren’t just making a difference locally—they’re helping to shift the broader culture of mountain biking.

Kristin Brandt sees that power of representation firsthand. When she was getting into the sport, she was inspired by other women who showed what was possible:

• Nancy Gomes – A powerhouse road cyclist and triathlete who encouraged Kristin to embrace longer rides and become a better climber.
• Leslie Riding – A fierce advocate for getting women and girls on bikes. Leslie supported Kristin as she became a ride leader, always cheering her on.
• Lea Davison – A two-time US Olympian and co-founder of Little Bellas, a non-competitive mountain biking program that helps young girls build confidence through riding.

Kristin describes how Davison illustrates an important lesson in the sport: “Lea Davison co-founded Little Bellas, a non-competitive mountain bike program for girls 7-13 that focuses on building confidence and community through mountain biking. Among many things, she perfectly illustrates that ‘just because you are fast doesn’t mean you can’t ride slow’ as they get girls on bikes.”

The Challenges Women Face on the Trail

While mountain biking is a sport that welcomes all, women still find themselves in the minority.

“We’re definitely the minority, but we would still like to have input. We’re just not as vocal as men.” — Laura Zimmer

Though group rides and organized events create a supportive atmosphere, many women riders still navigate unique considerations when it comes to safety and confidence on the trails. For Jeny, riding alone isn’t always her first choice.

“I dislike riding alone and, yeah, I have this fear of axe murderers in the woods, but sometimes nobody else is available.”

She says it with a laugh, but it highlights something many women can relate to—the hesitation that sometimes comes with venturing into isolated areas solo. That’s part of why community-driven rides and finding the right riding group can make all the difference. Whether it’s a welcoming social ride or a supportive learning environment, building connections on the trails can help riders feel both safer and more confident.

And if the right group doesn’t already exist?

“I always say that if you can’t find a group that suits you—make your own. And that’s just what I did.” — Jeny Gangemi

Looking Ahead: The State of Women in Mountain Biking

Women have always been part of mountain biking, carving their own paths, setting records, and building communities—yet their presence in the sport has often been underrepresented. Today, more women than ever are hitting the trails, from grassroots riders discovering the joy of singletrack to elite athletes competing on the world stage. The growth of women-specific clinics, group rides, and advocacy efforts demonstrates that mountain biking is evolving into a more inclusive space.

Locally, the women of Blackstone Valley NEMBA are at the forefront of this progress, fostering opportunities for new riders, leading trail projects, and ensuring that the community remains welcoming to all skill levels. Their contributions—both seen and unseen—help shape the chapter and the riding experience for everyone.

But while participation is increasing, there’s still room for growth. More visibility, leadership, and mentorship will help break down remaining barriers, whether they be accessibility, representation, or the lingering perception that mountain biking is a male-dominated sport. The challenge moving forward is not only encouraging more women to ride but ensuring they have the support, space, and confidence to thrive on the trails.

Women’s impact on mountain biking isn’t a new phenomenon—it has always been there. What’s changing is that more women are stepping into leadership roles, more riders are finding community, and more voices are shaping the future of the sport.

And as the Trail Snails like to say:

“It’s not the miles, but the smiles.”