Spotlight: The Cycle Effect
This spotlight is a sponsored partnership.
The Cycle Effect
Empowering young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities.
The Cycle Effect has recently expanded their Girls Mountain Bike Program to offer year-round programming to participants in Mesa County.
The Cycle Effect focuses on three primary goal areas: physical wellness, community impact and mentorship — and building brighter futures. By providing an opportunity for underserved young women to be engaged in regular, healthy programs that help build their self-esteem and promote overall wellness, girls are more likely to be healthier, stay engaged in school and set goals that will support their future.
In 2019, The Cycle Effect worked with 165 young women across Eagle and Summit Counties, 70 percent of which identified as low income and 62 percent identified as Latina.
By expanding programming to Mesa County, The Cycle Effect will be able to have a direct impact on well over 200 young lives and further strengthen equity across the state. Upon expansion, The Cycle Effect will be reaching out to new funding partners to expand the fundraising efforts and continue to build a bright future.
Tina Ooley
Tina, her husband, and two sons moved to Durango, CO in 2012, where she discovered her love of coaching young girls and women. She is the founder of EveryPedal MTB, a mentor-based mountain bike program serving over 100 families and has coached for many other programs and events companies throughout the western region. She found her life’s work in mountain biking, coaching and mentorship and looks forward to continuing to create connection through her work and love for the sport.
“Our program strives to show that any young woman, especially a Latina, can thrive on and off the bike given the right opportunities. We have seen it time and again in Eagle and Summit Counties and now we are excited to create the same opportunities in Mesa County. We couldn’t be happier to work with the Colorado Health Foundation and Mesa County.”
— Brett Donelson, executive director of The Cycle Effect.
THE CYCLE EFFECT: GOALS
• Provide an outlet and activity for high school and middle school aged young women to keep them engaged and interested in school and school related activities.
• Teach life skills such as goal setting, overcoming obstacles, time management, healthy decision-making, the importance of physical fitness and nutrition and outdoor stewardship.
• Instill a higher level of self-confidence and sense of belonging.
• Provide avenues for success that may not have been available.
• Play a role in ensuring that our girls successfully complete high school and move on to higher education.
100 percent of The Cycle Effect program graduates have successfully completed high school and gone on to college, 75 percent being first generation in their family to attend.