Hello, my name is Diana Rivera-Rojo and I am a 3rd year racer for the Salinas High Mountain Bike Team. I am so excited to be an ambassador for GRiT as biking has been a love of mine since I was a young girl and developed into a passion during high school. Along with biking, academically I am focusing on becoming a community leader while outside of academics I spend my time creating projects and hiking.

What is your favorite trail snack?

Natures Bakery- fig bar (blueberry)

Where is your favorite place to ride?

I love biking through Fort Ord! My go to trail would have to be trail 49 due to its beauty and different biomes.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

Since I was a little girl, I have loved being creative whether that be through painting or making jewelry. I adore art and its different forms; One of my goals in life is to experience the making of every form of art. This has led me to develop various hobbies most notably painting, sewing and drawing.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am ecstatic to have this opportunity that focuses on spreading positivity and kindness into a community that I love. I hope to help NorCals community flourish and see more girls on bikes!

My name is Georgia Keeling. I am a sophomore and this is my second year racing for the SLO Scoters. I love everything that has to do with bikes. I have been on a bike since I was barely one, and started getting into mountain biking a few years ago. I have spent most of my time biking as the only girl and I am very motivated to get more girls on bikes. I am very excited to be a part of a larger community of women mountain bikers and to increase the diversity within that community.

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite trail snack is trail mix. It’s best straight out of your pocket during a ride.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is Santa Cruz. I love the endless loops and different trails you can do. Zipping through the trees on loam is so much fun.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

Outside of mountain biking I play volleyball. I like how sharply it contrasts with mountain biking and how both are so much fun for very different reasons. I love the energy on the court and the fast paced game.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am so excited to be a GRiT ambassador this year to be a part of a community of girls on bikes. It will be awesome to recruit more girls to ride bikes and to be involved with GRiT.

Hi! My name is Jenny a senior at Salinas High School and I have been mountain biking for the team for 2 years. I’m super excited to be returning to a new season this year as a GRiT ambassador! NorCal has had such a positive influence on my life and, I hope to continue to be able to spread the positivity and inclusivity. I love spending time in the outdoors as a de stresser and for fun.

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite snack is welches! It always gets me energized super quickly and tastes super good. Literally best of both worlds.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is East Garrison. I love how fresh it is in the morning and all the turns and twists of the trails.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love to play softball for Bobby Sox league! I also love hanging out with friends getting tea and being outdoors!!

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am super excited to be a Norcal GRiT ambassador so I can help provide a safe comfortable and fun space for everyone. I would also love to show that we are all improving together, and just how fun it is to be on a bike!

I’m a junior at El Cerrito High School, and this will be my second year riding. I love being outdoors and have spent many years learning leadership skills through being a Girl Scout and a part of Outward Bound’s Youth Leadership Corp. Before joining my school’s team last year, I had been riding horses for 8 years. I chose to leave the equestrian community due to the lack of support in my identity of being transgender and nonbinary. Since joining mountain biking, I’ve felt much more supported and accepted, especially within GRiT. I hope to continue making mountain biking an inviting space to everyone.

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite trail snacks are mint chocolate Clif bars and Rice Krispie treats.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is Tilden and Wildcat Canyon. My team mainly rides there, and I love how pretty it is at sunset.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love backpacking, running, and camping!

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I’m super excited to help support other riders and continue to get more people into mountain biking! I want to continue helping the community to be as inclusive and supportive as possible. One of the main reasons I chose to continue riding this year was because of how much encouragement and support I felt from other GRiT riders last year!

Hi, my name is Samara! I’m a junior, racing for the Berkeley High School Mountain Bike Team. I discovered my passion for mountain biking during my freshman year on my first GRiT ride. The tight-knit community and overwhelming positivity led me to fall in love with the sport, instantly boosting my confidence and introducing me to so many incredible new friends. Exploring the trails and riding through nature has become my happy place, and I can’t wait for all the GRiT rides this season!

What is your favorite trail snack?

Salted Watermelon Blocs

Where is your favorite place to ride?

I love riding in Joaquin Miller Park because of all the gorgeous redwood trees and views of the bay.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I really like to surf, camp, and pretty much anything outdoors.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am excited to introduce more girls to the world of mountain biking and meet other GRiT riders who share my love for the sport. The GRiT community was one of the main reasons I joined my mountain bike team and the NorCal League, and I want to provide others with the opportunity to experience the same sense of camaraderie and support that has been so impactful for me.

Hi, my name is Alex Tripcevich and this will be my second year on the Berkeley High MTB team. I have been mountain biking since I was 5, but started getting more into it when I joined the Wildcat Composite middle school team in 6th grade. I’m excited to help organize GRiT events, and to hopefully work with GRiT leaders on other teams.

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite trail snack is margarita shot blocks! They’re easy to eat and the best flavor.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is South Lake Tahoe. My favorite trails there are Christmas valley, Armstrong connector, and van sickle. These trails are great because they have lots of technical rock sections, on both the uphill and the downhill.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

Outside of mountain biking I have been playing piano for 9 years. I also enjoy rock climbing and cross country running. In the winter I go back country skiing with my parents in Tahoe, I love how you can explore places, and also find fun downhill, just like with mountain biking.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am excited to take a more active roll in planning the GRiT events for our team. I also want to have GRiT events with other schools, since the Berkeley community is well organized, and it would be great to share that with other teams.

My name is Amanda Lang, I’m a junior at San Ramon Valley High School and this will be my third season racing for NICA. I am also proud to be a captain of SRVTMB. My first ever mountain bike ride was with NICA during my freshman year and since then I’ve become extremely engaged in mountain biking.

What is your favorite trail snack?

Mott’s gummies

Where is your favorite place to ride?

Mt. Diablo

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love hiking, backpacking, and anything outside.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am super excited to be a GRiT ambassador because I love meeting new riders and being a part of such a supportive community.

Hi, my name is Olive and I am a sophomore at Piedmont High School. I joined the Piedmont High School mountain biking team last year and became vice-captain this year. This is my second year mountain biking, and I am excited to recruit more girls to the sport. Outside of mountain biking, I enjoy hiking and cooking.

What is your favorite trail snack?

Either watermelon chews or pumpkin spice goo

Where is your favorite place to ride?

Lake Tahoe

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

Outside of mountain biking, I love to sew and watch TV.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am most excited to recruit more girls to the sport. I want to create a safe space for female bikers to have fun and enjoy mountain biking in each other’s company.

My name is Rianna, I am currently a Junior at East Bay Innovation Academy and have been biking with the Oakland Composite High School Mountain Bike team for three years now. I first started mountain biking in eighth grade with Oakland DEVO, and I quickly fell in love with the sport. When I moved up to the high school team I met a super cool group of people that made me feel supported and allowed me to push myself towards my goals of becoming a better biker. Although some of these riders were boys, I found that when riding with the female riders I felt less intimidated and more confident to try new things. I hope to be able to share my passion for mountain biking and provide the same community that I felt when I first started biking with other GRiT athletes. And I hope to encourage new riders to consider trying out mountain biking for the first time.

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite trail snacks are Trader Joe’s Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmer
gummies and salted watermelon Clif blocks.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is Joaquin Miller Park.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

Outside of mountain biking, one of my favorite things to do is bake and spend time with my dog, two cats, and bunny.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am most excited to be a GRiT ambassador because I want to share my love of mountain biking with other GRiT athletes and be able to support and uplift the girls in our community to make sure that they feel included in this sport.

Hello! My name is Fern and I’m a sophomore this year! I joined Oakland Composite my freshman year, and I was a part of the Oakland DEVO team in middle school. I’ve been riding bikes on trails since I was four years old, and I absolutely love cycling. Other than that, I also love art and spending time with friends. When I first started racing with NorCal I was very nervous, but finding the GRiT community full of other girls who love mountain biking as much as I do gave me so much more confidence to try new things. I hope I can encourage more girls to find confidence in the sport I love!

What is your favorite trail snack?

I love almost any bike snacks, blocs, waffles, gels, bars, pretty much anything with sugar and some salt!

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is China Camp State Park because it’s always so pretty there and the trails are lots of fun!

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love to make art (mostly drawing and crochet) and listen to audiobooks and podcasts.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I want other girls to feel the same way I do when I get on a bike. I want them to feel the excitement to go fast but also feel like it’s normal to make mistakes. I really hope I can help to encourage the growth of the NorCal GRiT community this year and in years to come!

Hi, I’m Sierra! I’m a senior on the Humboldt Composite team in Arcata, CA. I started mountain biking at the beginning of my freshman year and this will be my third and final season as a GRiT ambassador. I love helping to get more girls on bikes and I can’t wait to meet all the new riders this year!

What is your favorite trail snack?

Huckleberries or whatever else I can find in the forest. I’ve also always been a fan of dried mango and I’m currently obsessed with the mint Clif builder bars from Costco.

Where is your favorite place to ride?

I’m sorry I can’t answer this question—there are just too many great places to ride! If I have to choose, a couple of my favorites would be Hatchery Ridge and Prarie Creek Redwoods state park.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I enjoy playing piano, long walks, napping, cooking, and knitting, making earrings, and other crafts!

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I’m excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador because it is such a positive and empowering community. The GRiT program helped encourage me to keep mountain biking when I was ambivalent after I started riding my freshman year, and I hope to give more newcomers that same experience!

I’m Johannah and I’m a junior at Tam High. This is my third year racing with NICA and I’m super excited to be a GRiT ambassador. I first started mountain biking with my family during COVID. I live at the base of Mount Tam and I love exploring all of the trails on the mountain. When I first started mountain biking, I felt like I was one of the only girls, but after going to the races and other GRiT events I knew that I was supported by a fun and inclusive community. I hope to welcome many more girls into this incredible sport and community!

What is your favorite trail snack?

Gummy bears

Where is your favorite place to ride?

Mt. Tam

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love adventuring outdoors whether it’s trail running, skiing, surfing, or climbing.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I’m excited to get more girls on bikes from all different backgrounds. I’ve really enjoyed my time with GRiT and the NorCal league and I can’t wait to meet more girls who are also stoked to ride!

Hi there! My name is Tatum Reale and I am a senior on the Thunderbirds team. I race cross country for NICA, and also race enduro and downhill on my own time. I have always loved spending time in the outdoors, ever since I was young. I am always down for an adventure and strongly believe in the importance of community in the sport of biking. I will likely be entering the emergency medical field within the next few years of my life since I have always wanted to be able to help others.

What is your favorite trail snack?

Salted Watermelon/Strawberry Shot Blocks, Sour candy

Where is your favorite place to ride?

Blue Lake (near Eureka)
Northstar
Ashland
locally: Conn Valley around to Moore Creek

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

First Aid
Skiing
Art (specifically painting)

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly important for me to be a strong female role model in a sport where the amount of women racing is greatly limited. I am excited to be able to help lead GRIT rides as well as participate in more bike clinics and support the amazing women of this sport.

Hello, I’m Simone, and I am thrilled to be selected to be the Grit ambassador for the 2023-2024 season! Last season I was inspired by how many girls were riding together and supporting one another. I have been mountain biking for quite a long time and have never felt the amount of support from other girls as I have since I’ve joined NICA. I am looking not only forward to leading rides, but experiencing the empowering feeling of getting to ride with other girls, as well as inspiring others to start mountain biking with the support of the amazing community we have. I am so excited for this upcoming season!

What is your favorite trail snack?

My favorite trail snacks are kind bars and fruit!

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is in Annadel and Willow Creek!

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

As mountain biking is one of my favorite hobbies I also enjoy winter sports such as skiing. I also love to read, hang out with my friends and family, and travel.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am excited about being a GRiT Ambassador because last seasons GRiT Ambassador was not only my teammate and friend, but she was my inspiration. She supported me throughout every race, and not only did she do this for me but she did it for every girl on the team and who we were racing with. I am excited to do the same and create fun rides to get girls on bikes!

Hi! My name is Tilly Dodd and I am so excited to be a GRiT ambassador this season. I am a junior at Saint Helena High School and this is my third year racing in the NorCal league. I have been biking my whole life, but joined my team, the Thunderbirds, in middle school. I knew I loved biking, but it wasn’t until I started racing that I felt like I had found my people and something I knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The atmosphere and community of NorCal is so special and by being a GRiT ambassador I hope to continue to include and inspire others and share the love of biking.

What is your favorite trail snack?

Salted watermelon shot blocks and peanut butter Clif bars!

Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite place to ride is Moab, Utah. The terrain, people, and views are amazing!

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

I love all kinds of music and am happiest when playing and listening to it.

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I am excited about being a GRiT ambassador because it means I get share my love of mountain biking with others as well as meet and learn things from other incredible women in biking.

My name is Ava Scott. I’m a Junior at Redwood High School and this will be my third season of racing with the NorCal League. I live in Marin, aka the birthplace of mountain biking, so I’ve been surrounded by mountain biking my whole life. But I really fell in love with the sport after joining my high school team. I love being on the trails and being outside. And I love being part of such a welcoming, positive, and supportive community. Through this community, I’ve become a confident rider and gained awesome friendships. I’m looking forward to all the GRiT events this year and helping to get more girls on bikes!

What is your favorite trail snack?

Bloks! Especially Margarita and Salted Watermelon!

Where is your favorite place to ride?

Right now, I’m obsessed with the backside of China Camp.

What is a hobby or interest of yours outside of mountain biking?

When I am not on the bike, I love to rock climb. It offers an adrenaline rush that is hard to beat, and the views from up high are amazing!

Why are you excited about being a NorCal GRiT Ambassador?

I’m fortunate to have some amazing female coaches and girls on my team and I am forever grateful for the encouragement and support they’ve given me. I would like to pay that forward! I hope to inspire and encourage more girls to explore mountain biking.