With summer in full swing the thrill of bike season is here. For the women of Inspire Cycling, gliding on the trails and bike paths is made sweeter when friends, new and old alike, join the adventures.

Since 2022, Inspire Cycling has cultivated an intentional women’s cycling collective from Rifle to Aspen. The non-competitive group caters to women of all skill levels and various disciplines — road, gravel and mountain — to break down barriers, build confidence and skills and remind them that cycling is for everyone.

“I wanted to create a safe place where people can show up, make friends and ride for fun,” said Vega Brhely, founder and president of Inspire. “We’re not hammering, racing or trying to be the best. We’re just trying to be socially connected.”

As a lifelong cyclist with a history of competitive riding, Brhely’s favorite outings were group endurance rides. In graduate school she rode to raise funds for Chicago-based Team to End AIDS before joining Boulder’s Petunia Mafia (formerly 1020 Cycling) where she found a sisterhood that would ultimately inspire her next endeavor. After moving to the Valley in 2017, Brhely noticed a gap within the cycling community. While working with female clients at her private business in Basalt, Hill Climb Acupuncture & Bike Fit, she often heard feelings of intimidation or concerns about group rides.

“So many of these women were having the same experience,” Brhely elaborated. “I wanted to get them together and show them it can be fun and doesn’t matter if they’re the slowest one.” 

Inspire’s first season was a hit. Brhely, a USA Cycling coach, led a staggering 47 rides. Today, the nonprofit has grown to include a small membership fee so cyclists can gain access to a stacked calendar of events. Supported by dedicated board members and ride leaders, the season runs from May to October featuring multiple clinics and social rides, including bimonthly events at Mountain Heart Brewing. Alternating between the brewery’s Carbondale and Basalt locations, these social rides emphasize safety and a casual, no-drop pace so cyclists can relax, enjoy the views and connect over a beer or ice cream afterwards.

Women looking for intermediate and advanced rides can join endurance efforts such as a 42-mile road trek through Rifle and Parachute or a scenic cruise to the Maroon Bells; weekly mountain bike meetups also take place throughout the Valley.

To break down barriers, Inspire offers an impressive list of clinics that increase knowledge and skill acquisition. Already, the nonprofit has offered introductory mountain biking and technical skills clinics taught by Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association Level 4 coach Erik Obermeyer, saddle fitting led by Brhely (a Level 3 International Bike Fitting Institute certified advanced bike fitter) and a pelvic floor workshop presented by Jordon McIlvain of Defiance PT. 

Brhely said clinics are continuously added to the calendar as partnerships arise. Notably, on Aug. 25 in Snowmass, Fruita-based Roam Fest — a world-class mountain bike festival for women, genderqueer femme folks and nontraditional riders — will host a pop-up event, Roam in the Wild. This free, no-drop event is for mountain bikers of all skill levels who identify as femme or nonbinary. Pizza and good conversation included.

Sienna Martin, Roam’s ride and volunteer coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event that will simultaneously elevate both Roam Fest and Inspire’s comparable missions.

“We intentionally create spaces where we invite people to show up joyfully and authentically themselves, no matter what their history with biking and the outdoors is,” Martin shared via email. “Inspire’s values of belonging, encouragement and fun align with ours at Roam.”

At Inspire, community building begins with the core team who enthusiastically create a welcoming experience for everyone. Ride leaders Lily Binford, Claudia Capitini and Heidi Kanayan bring expertise and informal tips, whereas board members Brhely, Molly Josephson, Jaime Fiske, Megan Blaszak and Jackie Skramstad keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.

On a recent Mountain Heart social ride, excitement was palpable. Fiske, Inspire’s secretary, led the stress-free ride down the Crystal Valley Trail.

“It’s like being a kid again!” laughed Skramstad, sponsorship director. She added that riding with a group of women feels freeing and deeply connecting.

Long-time cycling enthusiast Meg Ravenscraft attended with her two children in tow. “Finding a point of re-entry into athletics after the birth of my second kiddo felt very intimidating,” she said. “Luckily I found Inspire through a bike fit with Vega. She’s very encouraging, welcoming and dedicated to helping women. It’s been so refreshing to find a noncompetitive, yet athletic group of women to connect with.”

For Brhely this has been the dream all along — to make space for women to have fun, learn something new and be themselves, both on and off the bike.

Inspire Cycling members gain access to all social events, clinics, discounts at participating partners and are insured under the group’s policies. Women curious about the nonprofit can join one complimentary social ride before registering as a member. Head over to www.inspirecycling.org to learn more.