Thank You note from a U19 Mentee

Dear Berkeley Bicycle Club,

I am one of the U19 riders from Helena Gilbert Snyder's Grasshopper Low Gap mentorship program. I want to thank the BBC for providing financial support that enabled this event to happen. And thanks to your board members, Maya Wolf, Jason Tang, and Nate English, for contributing their time to mentor some of our riders. It was especially cool for me to learn that male cyclists are just as interested in getting more girls on bikes as I am!

This was an amazing opportunity for me! I love the idea of taking on new challenges in biking and in life, but those challenges can feel so intimidating and out of reach, especially when done alone. Being paired with a pro mentor that believed in me helped me to believe in myself. My mentor, Clarice Sayle, gave me advice about pacing and fueling and negotiating all the mud (yes, there was a lot!) and she also reminded me to look up and talk to other riders and enjoy the gorgeous scenery! 

So many girls (and boys) from my high school mountain bike team and my neighborhood have asked me about the event this week and I hope that sharing the experience with them will help get more girls on bikes....and onto the start lines of events like the Grasshopper. 

I hope that my local bike club, the Marin Cyclists, will follow your lead in providing opportunities for U19s to grow their skills and get out riding more.

Sincerely,

Ava S