Introducing DirtBound!
Annijke Wade and Sam Summers are bringing a team of 5 para off-road cyclists to SBT GRVL in 2024 and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome DirtBound as a new 2024 advocacy partner. Want to join them?
DirtBound was founded in 2023 Annijke Wade with the goal of empowering, developing, and supporting fellow para off-road cyclists. The DirtBound SBT GRVL 2024 Program will be co-lead by Annijke and partner Sam Summers and will bring 5 para off-road cyclists to compete in Steamboat in 2024. The program will provide a registration to SBT GRVL, travel, lodging, a food stipend per athlete, as well as a team call once a month and access to an inspirational virtual speaker series and more. DirtBound is geared toward any individual who identifies as a para/adaptive athlete, has access to an off-road bike for SBT GRVL, and wants to grow and develop their off-road cycling skills.
Stay tuned for a formal application process opening soon.
We’re so excited to kick off the DirtBound SBT GRVL program for 2024 and welcome even more para athletes to line up in Steamboat and race on our famed Champagne gravel. Learn more below and at DirtBoundCycling.com
Why Start DirtBound?
Annijke:
Since acquiring my Disability in 2021, I’ve received an amazing amount of community support that’s allowed me to enter the world of para off-road cycling. My recovery, re-entry to sport, and healing mentally has been made possible by my community (near and far), access to equipment and opportunities, and my family and support system. Just three months after my accident, I went on my first adaptive mountain bike ride on my very own adaptive bike. The past two years, I reflect almost daily what a privilege it has been to have had so much access and mentorship to get to where I am today.
This year I had the privilege of racing SBT GRVL with the Ride For Racial Justice Team. I was originally selected for the inaugural Ride for Racial Justice (RFRJ) SBT GRVL Program in 2021, but was unable to race it because of my accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. I want others to have the opportunity to train with purpose, push their limits, grow as para athletes and gain confidence in the sport. I want others to have access, I want others to feel welcome, I want to help build a community of para off-road cyclists. I’m here because of the people around me, I am here because of this community.
Sam:
Para cycling to me is all about bringing together a community of athletes with disabilities who share a passion for bikes. This passion can stem from excitement going downhill fast, the thrill of the competition, fascination with creative engineering that goes into different kinds of adaptive bikes, access to the outdoors that is more limited with other mobility devices, having close friends to participate with, or many other reasons. I’m excited to be part of this community as it is developing and growing in the gravel and mountain bike areas!
Bringing a group of para athletes to SBT GRVL, means to me that the event recognizes and welcomes athletes with disabilities to their events, which are able-bodied dominated. I’m very excited to see SBT GRVLl promoting the idea of all bodies on bikes, and helping build and provide exposure for the para cycling community through their inclusion and development of these categories!