The Cycle Effect Announces New Expansion in Mesa County

Photo by Joe Kusumoto Photography.

Through a multi-year grant awarded by Colorado Health Foundation, The Cycle Effect will be expanding their Girls Mountain Bike Program to offer year-round programming to participants in Mesa County. 

The Colorado Health Foundation serves Coloradans who have low income and have historically had less power or privilege, with the intent of doing everything to create health equity. The Cycle Effect addresses this important cornerstone through their Girls Mountain Bike Program, which helps empower through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities. This program is offered year-round, providing over 80 days of mountain bike training, nutritional education, mentorship, community service, goal-setting and college readiness. The program provides participants with a mountain bike and all of the necessary safety equipment, as well as year-round coaches and mentors. Of the young women that have been involved in the program for three years or more, 100 percent of the participants have gone to college, 75 percent are the first in their families to attend. 

“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,” shares Brett Donelson, executive director of The Cycle Effect.

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 and will continue to identify new opportunities while working in partnership with the board of directors to expand the fundraising efforts and continue to build a sustainable future. 

“I am honored to be part of an organization that has positively impacted so many young girls’ lives,” says Susan Rosenbach, The Cycle Effect board chair. “I am excited to see the program expand to Mesa County and to have the privilege of helping to change the trajectory of these girls’ lives. The Cycle Effect builds grit, resilience and a sense of community that enables the participants to view the world and its challenges from a place of strength.”

Vicki Flynn, development director of The Cycle Effect, says expanding the program to other communities has been a long-term vision.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Colorado Health Foundation to help make this a reality and to provide our services to young women and their families throughout Mesa County,” she says. “This is an exciting time for our organization!”

The Cycle Effect will immediately start looking for staff and partnerships in the Mesa County area to start programming this spring. 

For more information on The Cycle Effect programming, visit: thecycleeffect.org.