Hello there! My name is Rachel, and I can’t tell you who I am without telling you about my family. If you spend five minutes talking to me, you’ll quickly realize that the two most important parts of my life are my wife and our dog: together, we make up a sometimes chaotic, often adventurous, and always joyful little family. We joke that we have the best worst luck – we’ve faced many challenges together, but it has made us stronger. Their love and support have taught me to believe that I can do hard things and that choosing not to tackle a challenge out of fear is a disservice to the strong, competent, driven woman I am fully capable of being. As a road-biker-veering-into-gravel, this pushes me to pursue new adventures and develop new skills; the dirt is waiting, and I’m ready to ride!

I'm an East Coast girl, and I have lived most of my life in VA. I moved to CO in Aug. 2022 from Arlington, VA, and I love it! I live with my husband, 8-year-old son, and two dogs. I love spending time outside, and I'm desperately trying to get my son to fall in love with MTB. I have always loved biking but never had a big community to bike with and learn from. As a DTE ambassador, I hope to build my biking community and enhance my skills. In 2024, I hope to participate in a few MTB, cyclocross, and gravel races (no road for me!).

I work part-time as the Program Manager for the non-profit &Mother. This organization is dedicated to breaking the barriers that limit a woman's choice to pursue both career and motherhood. I am passionate about making biking more accessible and inclusive to moms and anyone hesitant to ride a bike. 

I believe that our networks of support allow us to grow to our full potential. On the flip side, a lack of connection, support, belonging, or community limits our growth potential. I have all the best intentions, I set ambitious goals, and I am grateful to have most of the gear I need, but I am challenged in the pursuit of my goals because I lack a network of support that both mentors and creates a sense of belonging. I want to be a part of a team, all aspects of a team, not just a group of racers or riders, but so much more than that. Despite feeling this missing piece, I continue to show up and try and work toward my goals, but that is a lonely pursuit, to feel somewhere in between new and highly motivated to go the distance to pro. I am here for the connection, the support, to receive mentorship, and to do hard things with a group of women who also pursue hard things, despite whatever they encounter along life's wild path. I'm here to face adversity together and support one another in ways that social media and one-day events can’t offer.

My goals on the bike are to continue to challenge myself with ambitious pursuits in the mountains and the desert. This includes 100+ mile mountain bike adventures like the Kokopelli Trail and multi-day stage races like Breck Epic. Ultimately, these goals that can be checked off once completed are rooted in my deeper goals to develop sustainable and consistent practices that set me up for success. IE- learn how to properly train, follow a training plan, be consistent with my core and strength workouts, and be consistent with my riding. I want to ride and race for many years to come and I want a strong body with a clear mindset and consistent practices to lead the way. Races that pique my interest include, but are not limited to: Moab Rocks, Gunnison Growler, Breck Epic, and Lake City 50. 

Most notable in my life, is how the bike has helped me develop confidence and self-esteem and the ability to move through challenges and to continue to grow as a mindful person in the world in a sport where the growth potential is limitless. The therapy is ongoing. The challenges are infinite. And the application of bicycles in daily life is ever present, in one way or another. To be here, a part of something that brings us wholly into our bodies, to process our experiences and navigate our headspace, and to do that together is incredible. 

Based in Boulder, CO, my home is a lively space shared with my partner, a goofball Australian Shepard, three cats, and a collection of nine bikes (between us both, not just me!). While my primary focus this year is road racing, I also embrace the joy of gravel races.

My journey into athletics began in the structured realm of competitive ballet, instilling in me a robust work ethic and unwavering commitment. In my early twenties, I acquired my first road bike for AIDS LifeCycle, a charity ride from SF to LA. Outfitted with clipless pedals that I didn't know how to get out of, my first training ride resulted in getting pulled from the main ride to practice on the sidewalks for my safety and everyone around me. The cycling community's support pulled me through initial challenges, shaping my perseverance. Although initially too scared to race bikes in a peloton, I turned to triathlon at a competitive amateur level.

Upon moving to Boulder, I delved into the cycling community, joining a women's team and developing a passion for road and gravel racing. Supported by remarkable women mentors, I conquered fears of peloton racing—a gift I'm dedicated to sharing. Despite a demanding tech job, cycling has become my life's passion, providing a platform to push boundaries and uplift fellow women.

I have some lofty personal goals in cycling, but my larger soul-fulfilling goal is to help build a vibrant community for women cyclists. As a DTE Ambassador, I want to contribute to sustaining the momentum in women's cycling, building community and mentorship, and advocating for continued investment in women in the sport. I want to help inspire women and girls in the sport and be an example that it is never too late to learn something new and pursue dreams. 

I grew up as an Army brat with parents devoted to the mountains, so no matter where we moved, we found a way to make our pilgrimage to nature, which has stuck with me all my life. 

I'm a part-time teacher, photographer, full-time mom, and outdoor enthusiast. I keep busy chasing my five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son!  My husband and I live in Fort Collins. We are passionate about being outside and spending time as a family enjoying our wonderful state and beyond in our Sprinter Van, named Mosie (#adventuresofmosie) after an amazing elephant (if you haven't read the book Modoc, it's a must-read). 

We are primarily mountain bikers who love to end a long ride with a beer at a local brewery but have also caught the gravel bug.  We love sharing our love of cycling and outdoor experiences with our kids, and many of our family vacations are centered around trying out new bike trails or ending in a weekend race.  Luckily, our kiddos are catching on as well.  This past summer was the first time they were both on pedal bikes, and we could finally embark on family rides.  I'm so excited to be a part of the Distance to Empty ambassador team and share a space with amazing cycling women who are excited to encourage others to do the same!

Based in Carbondale, Colorado, I love to spend my time riding and racing mountain bikes, fly fishing, and skiing. I first got into cycling after years as a runner competing at the D1 level and all the stress fractures that go along with that. I traded out my shoes for a bike and never looked back. The sport does everything for me that running did and MORE. I love the strength and empowerment I feel on my bike and the community it has given me. I joke that every friend I have is somehow related to bikes, but it's not a joke. Living in the mountains, I revel in all the miraculous places I can pedal to on my mountain bike. In 2022, I rode the Colorado Trail with my best friend and felt more in touch with the earth, my bike, and myself than ever. My journey in cycling continues to evolve, with new opportunities and adventures at every turn. For now, my goal is to advocate for female grassroots racing and riding in my community and continue trying new things on the bike. I'm most excited about being a DTE ambassador because of the other women I'll learn from and grow with this year!

Hey there! I'm Jennifer, aka the dog whisperer, health enthusiast, and a love for gravel riding. Born in Denver, my life's journey took me around the country and Europe due to my father's Army service. I lived in St. Kitts for veterinary school before becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician in Rehabilitation and Fitness for dogs.

Since 2012, I've been helping paralyzed dogs walk again, intertwining my love for animals with my health journey. As a 2007 survivor of neuroinvasive West Nile Virus, I've turned challenges into triumphs and am learning to thrive. Colorado has become my heart's home, where I explore communities, camp, and travel with my loyal pup, Makoa.

Biking has always been part of my story, and despite the health setbacks of West Nile Virus in 2008, I have persisted. In 2018, I conquered the Courage Classic, riding over the Vail pass and back, marking a significant health achievement. My first gravel ride/race was the 2022 Wild Horse Gravel, which tested my technical abilities!  I am embracing small steps in the world of health-challenged gravel cycling!

As a DTE ambassador, my passion lies in supporting women in cycling and advocating for mental and physical health. My initiative is to enhance women's riding confidence amidst health challenges through compassionate group rides, engaging non-riding events, and fostering a supportive community where sharing our stories becomes a powerful tool for collective learning and empowerment. 

I was born and raised in Rockport, Maine, a small coastal town. I began my cycling journey here as one of two girls on my public high school's MTB team. This team taught me what it was like to work really hard and play really hard on bikes to explore the nature and community around us. I also learned through this experience what it was like to advocate for myself as a woman in an incredibly male-dominated setting. 

I came to Colorado for college, where I studied Environmental Chemistry. Here, I found a truly incredible group of female riders who inspire me to push my boundaries to this day. After moving to Boulder, I finally decided to try gravel and endurance MTB racing. I have really just begun my journey here, but I love the process of pushing my boundaries through training and encouraging others to do the same.

I maintain a 9-5 job as an Energy Analyst for a solar company, Black Bear Energy. When I am not riding, I am starting another knitting project, perfecting my sourdough bagels, or backcountry skiing.