That is the first statement you see on the website of
The Cycle Effect and it’s the first feeling you get at one of their practices.
In 2010, The Cycle Effect was created as an opportunity for local girls (ages 10-18) with the
idea that committed and driven girls should be able to participate in a sport they are
passionate about, no matter what their background is. The program is designed for girls to
ride bikes while building self-esteem, improving their fitness, and learning about nutrition.
These adventurous girls receive mountain bikes and equipment, are trained by professional
coaches, and compete in race events. Mountain biking provides the means for these girls
to escape the stresses of high-school life while learning lifelong skills. The program had
incredible outcomes in Eagle County so in 2020, the Founder Brett Donelson and Co-
Founder, Tamara Donelson, decided to expand the program to Mesa County.
One of the participants, Alessandra, shared with The Cycle Effect Team how she has grown
from their program and why getting more girls on bikes is so important. Alessandra smiled
when she said “you get to experience a lot of new things that you wouldn’t have tried
before- like going up into the mountains, seeing beautiful views, or just struggling up a hill
and finally getting to the downhill, or going really fast and having the time of your life”.
One of the goals of The Cycle Effect is to teach lessons both on and off the bike. For
Alessandra, her biggest lesson from the trail has been perseverance. She explained, “The
Cycle Effect is an amazing group that pushes you really hard, but also shows you what you
can do and brings out your full potential”. Alessandra applies the strength, confidence,
and perseverance she has gained in the program throughout her life, especially with
schoolwork and tests. She shared, “I know classes are going to be really hard, but after
being a part of The Cycle Effect, I now have that belief in myself that I can get it done”.
Alessandra’s coaches have seen her thrive both on and off the bike- as a dedicated student
pursuing a 4.0 GPA and as a dedicated athlete showing up to every practice, volunteering
her time, and serving as a role model for the younger athletes in the program. This past
summer she served as a Jr. Coach, which provides older athletes with an opportunity to
take what they’ve learned and apply it to mentoring younger athletes. Alessandra says the
experience pushed her out of her comfort zone to become a leader, “It’s gotten me to
think about how what I do impacts others too…..because everyday people look up to you.
You have to check how you act and be the best person you can be”.
The Cycle Effect is an asset to Mesa County. Their ability to enable more girls to reach
their full potential in mountain biking and in life is exactly the type of opportunity local
girls need. The next time you see a Cycle Effect jersey out on the trail, you are absolutely
going to see a girl with a smile on her face wearing it.
“you get to experience a lot of new things that you wouldn’t have tried
before- like going up into the mountains, seeing beautiful views, or just struggling up a hill
and finally getting to the downhill, or going really fast and having the time of your life”.
driven girls should be able to participate in a sport they are
passionate about, no matter what their background is.