Accidental Encounter with Mountain Biking
In George Wyth State Park, Leah Fuller stumbled upon a mountain biking trail while growing up in Waterloo. Her journey with mountain biking began without any prior knowledge or connection to the community. She bought a mountain bike from Scheels and just started riding, enjoying the experience without any structured guidance or support.
A Lifetime of Love for the Sport
Fuller would regularly ride the trails at George Wyth during college at the University of Northern Iowa, but she wasn’t actively engaged with the mountain biking community at the time. After graduating, she married and moved to Marion. She continued to bike, mostly using her road bike and taking the paved trails around Linn County. One day, while exploring Wanatee Park, she encountered another single-track trail, which sparked a sense of déjà vu from her past experiences.
Discovering the Local Mountain Biking Community
Fuller soon discovered LAMBA, the Linn Area Mountain Bike Association, responsible for maintaining the single-track trails in Linn County. She began attending occasional group rides with the group, but was disappointed by the lack of women participants. “I was like, this is all fine and well, but I want to ride with some women”. Fuller sought to find a women’s mountain biking group in Linn County, but none existed.
The Birth of Fearless Women of Dirt
Fuller discovered Fearless Women of Dirt, a women’s mountain biking group founded by Josie Smith in Decorah. Smith had expanded the group to other locations across the Midwest and was looking for ambassadors to lead new chapters. Fuller saw an opportunity to start a chapter in Cedar Rapids and reached out. In late 2019, she launched the Fearless Women of Dirt Cedar Rapids Facebook group and began planning group rides for 2020.
Early Growth and Challenges
The timing of Fuller’s group was fortunate, as many people sought socially distant outdoor activities during the early stages of the pandemic. Fuller said, “We’re supposed to be doing everything outside? You know what? We’re outside. I want this. I need this.” The group started with Fuller and a few other riders, but grew to include 7-12 regular participants by the end of the season.
A Welcoming Community for All
Fuller emphasizes that her group is a place where people of all skill levels can feel welcome. She plans routes that cater to each week’s participants, ensuring that everyone has a fun and challenging ride. “We’ve got some really great ladies who are so supportive and better than I am at cheering each other on and reaching out.”
International Women’s Mountain Biking Day Celebration
Fuller is planning to host a special women’s group ride on May 3, International Women’s Mountain Biking Day. She has partnered with Linn County Conservation to make the event free and accessible to all.
Join the Fun
If you’re interested in joining the Fearless Women of Dirt Cedar Rapids group, visit their Facebook page and reach out to Fuller. The group meets every Monday evening during the summer and welcomes riders of all skill levels.
| Key Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Free group rides | Meetings are held every Monday evening during the summer at Wanatee Park or Beverly Park and Sac and Fox Trail in Cedar Rapids. |
| Supportive community | A welcoming environment for riders of all skill levels, with a focus on supporting each other and having fun. |
| International Women’s Mountain Biking Day celebration | A special event on May 3, hosted in partnership with Linn County Conservation, to celebrate women’s mountain biking and provide an opportunity for riders to meet new people. |
Get Involved
• Visit the Fearless Women of Dirt Cedar Rapids Facebook page to learn more and join the group. • Reach out to Leah Fuller at (319) 398-8328 or emily.andersen@thegazette.com to get involved. • Attend the International Women’s Mountain Biking Day celebration on May 3 to meet new people and enjoy a fun ride.
What to Expect
• A variety of trails to choose from, including Wanatee Park and Beverly Park and Sac and Fox Trail in Cedar Rapids. • Supportive and encouraging group ride leaders who will help you improve your skills and have fun. • A sense of community and camaraderie with other women who share your passion for mountain biking.
“Fearless Women of Dirt is more than just a mountain biking group – it’s a community of like-minded women who share a passion for the sport and a desire to support and encourage each other.
