Melanie Applegate

The GRT Member Highlights have been a great way to feature some of the incredible talent that our riders have both on and off the bike. GRT has been focused on growing our coaching aspect and expanding our reach to Austin, TX this winter and Melanie Applegate is one of the first ladies to join our crew. She instantly become part of the family and is a perfect example of talent and dedication and is always inspiring new ladies to hop on a bike and try it. We are excited to share a little more about her!

“Hi! I'm Melanie! I'm from College Station, but have been living in Austin, Texas since 2005. It's a pretty rad city to call home! There's always a trail to run, a boat to hop on, a studio open for yoga and a track ready to ride. I'm a professional lifestyle photographer and have been working with families, newborns and couples for over a decade. I also shoot a lot of moto for fun! I started riding about a year and a half ago when I started dating Travis. I grew up on horses and four-wheelers, so learning to ride a dirt bike was a natural fit for me. We spend most of our weekends with our always growing moto crew at the track, and there's no place I'd rather be. Most people are surprised to learn that a thirty-something single mama is a wild moto girl, but that's just me, through and through. It's pretty awesome to watch my girls slowly grow towards the sport also. They are so proud of mama. Girls Ride Toosday has been a really amazing opportunity to connect with other like-minded women. I have made some solid memories, and lifelong friends!

Photo: @melanieapplegatephotography Moto: @dressupgetdirty

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Jen Swisher

This next member highlight comes from a long time GRT member, Jen Swisher. Jen made the trip to a small track in Dillon, CO back in 2015 when we were just getting started and has been coming to ride with us ever since. One of the most rewarding parts of GRT is getting to grow with some of these ladies throughout the years and it has been a pleasure getting to know Jen! Here is a little bit of her story around moto and life.

“I’'m a certified veterinary technician (my day job of 21+ years), and currently reside in Fairplay, CO with my husband, 11 year old daughter, our cat, and a bearded dragon. I'm originally from rural Maine, and the day after graduating college in Vermont, drove out to the Colorado (sight unseen) to pursue my newly discovered passion at the time: skiing (1999). I had never been exposed to dirt bikes, until a few years later when my husband taught me how to ride his old '86 Honda CR80 that he had as a kid. After that, summer-time (instead of winter) became my favorite season!

I started taking dirt biking seriously about 6 or 7 years ago, starting out on a Honda CRF230, and then graduating to a Yamaha WR250F. The last two seasons I've been on a Husqvarna TE300, my favorite so far!

My favorite style of riding is speeding through wooded, rocky, technical single track with my friends. I love learning new skills to overcome obstacles. I also love the adrenaline rush that comes with riding a trail as fast as I possibly can, and improving my strength and endurance. I would dare myself each year to enter one enduro race per season, because they scared the heck out of me, and it's an accomplishment just to finish!

At the beginning of this year (at the age of 40), I decided to make dirt biking a priority. I reserved as many Tuesday afternoons off from work as possible to attend Girls Ride "Too"sday, and followed Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit Racers to enter as many enduro races as possible. Racing enabled me to ride several areas of Colorado I'd never been, as well as Wyoming and Texas, and met some really amazing people. The racing family is just so awesome, supportive, and encouraging. The series just ended, and I placed 3rd in season points for the Ladies B class!

I love Girls Ride Toosday because it is so supportive of women in the sport. Having the beautifully groomed Leadville Motocross Park track, and other women out there giving tips and lessons is such a wonderful opportunity and gift! I have appreciated having the venue to practice cornering and jumping, and I feel it has improved my woods riding as well. I have also cultivated some of the best friendships through GRT!

Dirt biking has become my passion as it provides for my physical and mental health, fresh air and sense of adventure. It helped me work through post-partum depression, and has cultivated some of my best lasting friendships. I love seeing people get excited about the sport, and I enjoy teaching and challenging my friends, especially other women. I feel like since I learned how to ride later in life, as an adult, that it helps me relate to & teach others better. I remember the challenges & fears of learning, and how to overcome them. I recently became involved in Adventure Riders of Colorado, a group encompassing all types of off-road motorcycle riding. Through ARC, I led a couple guided rides last summer: one was ladies only, and one was everyone welcome. They were so much fun, and I hope to do some more of those next year, starting as early as January (weather-permitting)! One of my favorite accomplishments this year was teaching my daughter how to ride the same 80cc bike that I learned on, kick-start & clutch and all! I hope to continue doing this until I'm an old lady - riding hard & inspiring the younger generations :).”

Thank you for sharing your story Jen!

Kesley Ondine

.The GRT community is diverse, unique, and unpredictable. We love to hear a little about where our riders come from, what they are passionate about, and some of the experiences they’ve had both on and off the bike. This week we are keeping the member highlights going with Kesley Ondine.

Kesley was born in Austin, TX but grew up in a 37ft RV as a kid and had been to 43 states by the age of 11. She just moved out of Colorado after being there for 6 years and now lives in Bend, OR until she can move to Alaska next year! Kesley currently works at Blackstrap Industries, an outdoor apparel company that specializes in ski masks as well as Hoodoo Ski Resort. Kesley enjoys snowboarding and many outdoor activities but her main passion is mountaineering with dreams of climbing Denali in the next few years. “Outside of riding, the mountains really have my heart.” She just started riding dirt bikes this year and fell COMPLETELY in love with it! “It's pushed my comforts and boundaries so much and has helped me grow confidence and skills. That throttle feeling is now something I could never forget or let go of, literally haha.” Kesley had never touched a dirt bike in her life, and now after this summer she’s clearing doubles and tabletops and ripping singletrack! Singletrack is among her favorite ways to get around on a bike and living in Leadville (at the time), there’s no shortage. She would average about 25-30 miles a ride.

Thank you for sharing a little about yourself Kesley! Good luck in your adventures, we can’t wait to see you on top of Denali!

Kaitlyn Wise

Even though the season for GRT CO is over for 2020, we can still focus on our riders and their stories through the GRT Member Highlights!

This next one comes from Kaitlyn Wise, an up and coming GRT member who knows how to have ALL the fun.

Kaitlyn is from Milliken, Colorado and still lives there where she attends Roosevelt high school as a Sophmore. Kaitlyn is planning on becoming a veterinarian and owning a dog rescue when she’s older. “Dogs and dirt bikes are my life😂.” When she’s not riding, Kaitlyn is either hanging out with her family or at Bandimiere Speedway drag racing.

Motocross has played a big roll in Kaitlyn’s life because she’s been riding since she was 6 and racing since she was 8. “A few of my favorite things about racing are the adrenaline rush and the feeling of freedom.” Since coming to GRT, Kaitlyn shared that it has gotten her to do things that she probably wouldn’t normally do. “It’s definitely helped me build my confidence up and made my riding better.”

Thank you for being a part of our crew this summer Kaitlyn!

Courtney Cantwell

Next up for our GRT member highlight is Courtney Cantwell; a Colorado native who is the whole package. Read on to hear her journey.

I was born and raised in Colorado but have lived and worked in many other states.  Currently, I reside in Northern Colorado where I am an electrical and mechanical technician at Smucker’s. I have been working as an electrical/ automation technician for 8 years now in various energy fields. I have also done various mechanical and welding jobs along the way.  I have two Associate Degrees, one in Wind Energy Technology and another in Applied Management.  I am currently working towards my Bachelor’s in Marketing.  I would love to find work in sports marketing or sports sales, so I could travel and see different venues and events.  

I am currently in the midst of starting up a company with my Professor to help build and critique industry-based resumes.  There are hardly any companies with the skills and knowledge to help blue collar workers to get to their next step.  

Outside of motocross I prefer to spend my time doing various outdoor activities: snowboarding, hiking, hunting, playing sports, traveling and most importantly spending time with my Chocolate Labrador, Remington. I am an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan, so on Saturday’s during football season, you will always see me wearing my burgundy.

Growing up I was never allowed to ride a motorized bike, but I would always find time to sneak off with my friends and watch them ride. I never got the chance to ride myself.  A bike has always been something I wanted to get, so when I moved back to Colorado at 25, I had a friend who talked me into getting a bike.  He taught me the basics for a day and from then on out, I was hooked.  In the beginning I spent more time in the dirt than riding the dirt, but it helped me realize how mentally and physically tough I was.  There is nothing like the freedom of riding a bike.  There are no life worries or thoughts except the thoughts of the beast beneath you.  

I have met some incredible people through motocross and would consider a lot like family.  The encouragement and the way they lift me up every time I hop on the bike will always stick with me.  Girls Ride Toosday has given me the opportunity to meet many amazing female riders and have them join my moto family.  I am a big believer in women empowering women and what better way than to do what most consider a “male” sport and show the boys we are allowed there too! All my life I have been told I can’t do things, this is one of the ways I fight back and say I can. I am grateful for GRT and every one I have met! Always remember to, “Live the Life You’ve Been Given.”

Amanda Walsh

This member’s highlight features Amanda Walsh. Amanda has been a member and rider who is always down to give advise and help the GRT crew learn and progress. Here is a little bit more on Amanda;

“Ok, I am from Canon City, Colorado and still live there (I didn’t really have a choice to live here because I am 14…). I am a freshman in high school and I am on the varsity team for cross country, I play on a traveling girls soccer team, race mountain bikes for our MTB association, and I love skiing.

Moto has played a huge roll in my life because I have been riding sense I was 3 and racing sense I was 7. It has been the biggest focus of my life and I have put everything into racing. My favorite part of racing is meeting new people, hanging out with my friends and traveling all over the country. Most people do not understand how much I have put into racing and how much it impacts my life, even my school friends don’t always support and agree when I talk about motocross. But, at the end of the week when I get to go to the track, I know my racing friends all understand the risk and dedication it takes to race and ride. This community just makes me want to go racing more. I love taking my dog (Bananas) to the track, walking him around the Pits, and going to restaurants with my friends between motos.

I love the GRT crew and everything they do and I hope we can continue growing and inspiring other girls to come out and ride. Thank you!”

Taylor Gasser

Taylor grew up in a small midwest town in Ohio. Youngstown. Southeast of Cleveland, northwest of Pittsburgh. She then got her bachelors degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology from Miami University and her masters in Special Education with an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder from the University of Cincinnati. She lived and worked in Seattle, Washington for 3 years before moving to Colorado in 2018. You can now find Taylor living in Lafayette, CO & working in Superior, CO as a Special Education teacher for the Elementary Autism program in the Boulder Valley School District. 

Other than moto, Taylor is big into snowboarding, and always has been. She also just started to get into splitboarding in the backcountry last season. Ultra trail running is her main summer-time hobby but that is now competing with moto! Taylor loves traveling inside and outside the country. “In order to feed my inner child, I still sing really loud, dance super hard & create beautiful art.” Taylor was a gymnast her entire childhood (from 2-13 years old) and still likes to test that muscle memory from time to time :) She is always looking for things to burn up the abundance of energy!

Back in 2015, before moving to Washington, Taylor applied to BVSD but wasn't hired due to lack of experience & a masters degree. She was already set on moving away from Ohio and had family ties in Seattle. So she took a job with Highline Public School District as an elementary Special Education teacher, opening a first-year program. That program represented a variety of student cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds & significant needs including deaf-blind, comorbid Autism and Down Syndrome and congenital blindness. In that time, she finished her masters degree, opened an intensive needs program, and gained 3 years of teaching experience. 

Although Taylor loved so many things about that job, her connections and where she was living, she was in desperate need of a life change. So she applied to BVSD, again. Strategically landed the job she wanted, packed up a Uhaul & drove to Lafayette! “A few reasons why I decided to try Colorado: less rain, more sun & better snow ;-)” These first two years were all about "shredding the gnar" from Jacksonhole to Taos. And it has been GNARLY!!! But what she found in her off time was, she didn't have a summer hobby she loved as much as snowboarding. She tried rock climbing, some kayaking, traveled a bunch & ran some ultra races but nothing that ignited her soul... Then she bought her bike.

Growing up, Taylor was (and still is) a people pleaser. She never pursued her interest in moto because she didn't have time between other sports or think her parents would support it. “And to be completely honest, I was intimidated by it!” Now that her brain is fully developed and she is dedicated to her own happiness, Taylor is living out another childhood dream through moto! “Being a new rider in a male-dominated sport, I am INCREDIBLY thankful for the opportunities with GRT! There's just something about the vailient, feminine energy on Toosday's that keeps me coming back. Moto has given me another outlet. Moto has let me be vulnerable. Moto has rekindled that spirited child & provides a space to stay humble.”

Megan Stoll

This week’s GRT Member Highlight features Megan Stoll.

Megan is originally from Ohio and attended Ohio State University. After graduating, she bounced around the US and had the opportunity to do see and do some really amazing things.

“Although I was grateful for my travels, I always felt like something was missing!” So, when she landed in Denver, she knew that it wasn’t going to be temporary. She immediately started job searching and ended up finding a company called @suziescbdtreats. “It was abundantly clear that I had found my passion and calling in life. To help animals who could benefit from alternative sources of medicine to increase their quality of life. I am so lucky to say that I love what I do and the people I do it with!”

Being an entrepreneur has taught her so many things in life but most importantly to step outside of her comfort zone on a regular bases. Riding a dirt bike was always something she wanted to do but, “it intimidated me and I always convinced myself I wouldn’t be able to do it.”

One day she decided to throw that non-sense mentality away, and hopped on a bike and never looked back. Now shed goes every weekend and always has so much fun exploring CO on a bike!

“I’m happy to be a part of Girls Ride Toosday in CO, as it is one of the most empowering things I’ve done!” The girls are all so welcoming and gracious to help a newbie! Now I’m hooked for life!!!

Thank you for sharing your story with us Megan!

Courtney Lape

This member highlight features Courtney Lape, a Breckenridge, CO local who has made a life full of adventure on two wheels. Read on to hear it all from Courtney’s perspective.

I am from Missoula, Montana and moved to Colorado in 1999 after being accepted into a US-Mexico based, academically rigorous expeditionary program called Outdoor Semester in the Rockies at Colorado Mountain College. Currently living in Breckenridge, Colorado.  

Operated heavy equipment, mostly Single Axle Snow Plows, Tandem Dump Trucks and Front End Loaders, before moving into a career in administration.  Lifetime advocate of empowering women.

When I'm not twisting the throttle, you can find me camping, skiing, ice karting, hot springing, hanging out with friends or on the back of a Harley.

Two wheels have been a big influence in my life from a young age. Having a little Honda 50 to rip around the yard, going for rides on my Dad's Honda 250 motorcycle and hearing all the stories about my uncles who raced both motocross and track bikes in the 70's inspired me.

2006 is when I found my passion for dirt biking. Picked up a DRZ 125, kick started it and the rest is history. Joined the Bookcliff Rattlers Motorcycle Club in 2007 and did my first Hare Scramble bringing home the Gold. Raced the next 2 seasons. Dirt Biking became part of my life, it got in my blood. In 2008, I was introduced to hill climbing at Skinny Ridge in Grand Junction. They told me to start in second and give'r and don't let go. It worked! Same year I entered the Kremling Hill Climb and got 1st in my class. Next discipline I decided to try was an enduro race. 2010 signed up for the Snowshoe Enduro in Montrose and DNF. Injured my leg.  Two knee surgeries later, I was back on the bike in a little over a year. 2012 I began to Trail Ride a ton. Pushing myself far out of my comfort zone. Trying what seemed impossible. Built my confidence back up and did a few more races with CORCS.  This summer, along with dirt biking, I have been on some incredible adventures on the back of a Harley. Pack up the bike with camping gear and hit the road with no end in sight.  Hitting close to 2,000 miles so far and many more to go. 

Riding is what makes me so happy. It's my release. It makes me feel free.  The people I have met riding are some of the most passionate and incredible people. They have become my family.  They are always there to help, support and encourage you.  I love the camaraderie of my dirt bike family. They are the best people I know, just genuine good people. 

TidBit: 2001, put together a fundraiser to raise money for the Montana Natural History Center and Women's Voices for the Earth GUTS program (Girls Understanding Their Strengths) Backpacked 100 miles along the Continental Divide Trail from Targhee Pass in Wyoming to Monida Pass in Idaho.

Lastly, my favorite quote "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"- Mario Andretti

Alicia Longwell

Alicia is one of GRT’s 2020 season members and is a blast to be around! We are so stoked to have her be a part of the GRT crew! Here is a little background on Alicia and why she rides!

Where are you from?

I am from the Barossa Valley which is a huge wine producing region in South Australia. Yes, I absolutely love wine! 

Where are you living now?

I am currently living in Evergreen, Colorado.

What brought you to Evergreen?

From 2009 I spent 2 years living and working in Fernie and Whistler, British Columbia on the mountains then finally ran out of money and decided to go back home to Australia. I met a bloke (Chris) wakeboarding on the Murray River, South Australia who is now my husband. Chris grew up in Evergreen and raced motocross in Colorado when he was younger. After 5 years of travelling, working and studying in Australia we moved to Evergreen, and Chris started racing motocross again. I came out to a couple races and watched, thinking ‘this is a bloody long weekend to be just watching…..I should probably race too’. So, I bought a 2016 Kawasaki 250 through my awesome sponsor, MotoAdventure Kawasaki and started racing in 2017. A shoutout to Defy Graphics as well for keeping my bike looking snazzy. 

What do you do for a living?

I have just been accepted into the Evergreen Fire Rescue academy, so I am excited to start fire fighter training and be more involved in the community. 

Do you have a business you are trying to grow?

My dream business that I have been working on is designing a women’s line of off-road motorcycle gear. I feel there should be more gear options for women riders as it is a growing community. It’s a little slow going right now with my beautiful and active 10-month old girl taking up most of my time. I am not sure when I will accomplish this, but I am open to any suggestions from the GRT community ☺

What do you like to do other than riding?

I love exploring the world, snowboarding, wakeboarding, camping, hiking and I have just taken up mountain biking. I love doing all these things with friends and family.

How has moto played a role in your life?

Moto has been a part of my life since I was about 7 when my dad brought me my first bike, a 1978 Honda 50 and taught me to ride. My favorite ride was travelling down the east coast of Australia with Chris on a Husquarvana TR650 (not my favorite bike). I was definitely challenged mentally and physically, riding 600 + kilometres (370 miles) a day, but it was worth it, seeing parts of Australia you wouldn’t be able to see by car. If you search ‘Motorcycle Adventure Around Australia’ on Facebook you can read about our adventure. Since living in the Colorado a riding goal of mine is to ride around the USA. Let me know if you want to join ☺

I had never raced motocross before moving to Colorado and I am so happy and thankful to be a part of the Colorado Motocross scene and Girls Ride Toosday. I love riding a motorbike along with the people I ride with. I am very laid back and don’t take myself too seriously. Riding pushes me out of my comfort zone and gives me confidence once I have achieved a difficult technical section or jump. It clears my mind but can frustrate the hell out of me too. You think something like cornering is simple to execute and practice the same corner 60 times but only successfully execute the corner once. The pros make it look so easy. 

One last thing I’d like to add is I am thinking we should organize a GRT Moab trip and hit up some trails. That place is amazing!

Lisa Bohannon

This week’s member highlight comes from Lisa Bohannon. Lisa is one of our Thunder Valley ride night regulars and brings a smile to the track every time.

She is 26 years old and was born in Costa Rica, raised in Loveland, Colorado, and is currently living in downtown Denver. This keeps her close to CU Denver where Lisa is currently a full-time student as a finance major.

Lisa started riding in 2016. “Riding brings me so much happiness, frustration at times, but most of all it has taught me many lessons. Lessons on getting back up after you fall, time, and time again. Learning how strong you are, mentally and physically. It’s taught me to never give up.” Lisa and her fiancé even met at the motocross track! And they enjoy riding together almost every weekend.

Other than riding and schoolwork, Lisa enjoys anything outdoors; hiking, snowboarding, traveling and exploring beautiful Colorado. Make sure to say hi if you see her at the track! And thank you for sharing your story, Lisa!

Alice Foulk

Our next member highlight comes from 10-year-old Alice Foulk.  

Alice has been riding since she was three and racing since she was six. From Littleton, Colorado and currently living there today, Alice normally rides at Jewell MX and tracks all over the front range at least 2x/week.

 Alice rides and races year-round with her sister Shelby and her dad Paul. Together they are racing Motocross, Arenacross, and Enduro/ Hare Scrambles. Alice has also done enduro cross, flat track, and supermoto races!

Other than riding dirt bikes, Alice likes to work on dirt bikes, ride BMX bikes, skateboard, ride scooters, and try anything else on two wheels! Alice told us that “some of my hobbies are playing with my dogs, hanging out with friends and family watching and riding dirt bikes, and spending time with my friends. My favorite things to do are going to Girls Ride Toosday, riding and racing dirt bikes and playing with my dogs family and friends”.

Moto has played a big role in Alice’s life. “It has shown me how important hard work is. I have to work hard before races for good finishes knowing they won’t just come to me. Moto has also taught me a lot about how important never giving up is. My favorite quote is: “Champions are made on their worst days”.

Alice and her sister Shelby have become regulars at GRT where they can ride tracks like Thunder Valley and Leadville MX without boys on the track. Alice also likes that she’s not the only girl out on the track too, which is usually the case. “GRT has given me a lot of confidence. I get inspired by seeing other amazing girls ride and then getting to do break out sessions where those same girls teach other girls how to get faster and ride better. Everyone there is super nice and likes to ride just as much as I do!”

Alice would suggest GRT to any female who loves to ride or any female who is just starting out riding dirt bikes or thinking about riding because it gives you a lot of confidence and everyone there is so nice and willing to be patient and share tips with you! 

Thank you for sharing your story with us Alice! And good luck at all of your races!

Kristin Martinez

Hey GRT crew, meet Kristin!

Kristin is originally from Boulder, born and raised in Colorado. She moved to Vail about two years ago, from a Buddhist Monastery that she lived at for a year located in Northern Colorado. Kristin followed her intuition to Minturn and fell in love with the area. She currently works at a holistic practice in eagle-vail as a doctors assistant. “I absolutely enjoy my job helping people heal naturally”.

About this time last year Kristin was talking with her friends about how much she liked snowmobiling, when they recommended she try dirt biking. After that, she borrowed a friend’s bike and that was the end of it, “I was hooked; going about 4- 5 times a week, taking big falls and getting right back up”. Kristin has now been riding for 1 year and enjoying every minute of it. The feelings that come from meeting awesome people who make her smile and laugh at the tracks to flying through the air on her dirt bike are like no others . “I can’t stop, it has become the love of my life, literally. Dirt biking brings me so much inspiration to be a better version of myself in all parts of my life.”

Kristin’s future goal for dirt biking is to own her own dirt bike track and have a bunch of chicks come over all the time to rip it!

She also recently has been really interested in photography and is in the process of starting her own photography business... stay tuned... 📸🤙

Thank you for sharing a little bit of your story with us!

Chelsea Hutchings

A native New Englander, Chelsea relocated from Maine to Colorado last year after earning her MBA in Marketing, traded in her Harley Street Bob for a dirt bike, and has fallen in love with dirt again. 

Chelsea has been riding dirt bikes off and on since childhood and is re-acclimating to the track after a long hiatus, of trail riding and being dirt-bike-less while serving in the US Navy. 

If she’s not on two wheels, you can find Chelsea putting in work as an operations associate for tech company, Ibotta Inc, skating, surfing (when she’s back on the East Coast of course), and making music. 

"Since hopping on the Girls Ride Toosday train when I moved to Colorado last year, I can confidently say, it's the most impressive woman-organized moto group I've ever experienced first hand. There are so many talented ladies, who come out and absolutely rip on Toosdays; it's inspirational and with me being a 'monkey-see-monkey-do' type of person, these ladies inspire me to take my riding to the next level."

Elodie Olson

GRT is excited to do a member highlight on one of our younger riders, Elodie Olson. Elodie is an 11-year-old Colorado native who is growing up in Frisco, CO where she just finished 6th grade in Summit County and is looking forward to all her summertime activities. When Elodie isn’t riding her brand new #KTM 65, she enjoys painting, playing with her animals (a leopard gecko, her puppy, a fish, snails, shrimp, and a cat), reading (Harry Potter is her favorite) and skiing. Like a true mountain kid, Elodie’s dad had her on skis as soon as she could walk and skiing has always been apart of her life. Elodie also is an aspiring photographer and loves to take photos on her Canon ELS 4000 (which she did a lot of jobs to pay off including chores around the house, taking care of her dog, gardening, and cleaning).

Riding dirt bikes is becoming another favorite thing of Elodie’s, especially after getting a new bike this summer! “My favorite part of riding is the whoops at the track. I love finding my rhythm and going faster through them. Dirt biking makes me feel free and it’s fun to go fast!”

GRT is so excited to have Elodie come ride and progress with all of us on Toosday’s! Thank you for sharing your story!

Michelle Vercellino

Michelle is originally from Seattle, WA but grew up in Colorado on the front range in Parker.  She lives Downtown Denver and is the Chief Information Officer running all things technology for a local company. 

While Michelle has always been passionate about riding on two wheels, she just started riding with a motor a couple of years ago.  When asked why dirt bikes, she said it was to see more of Colorado.  “I always think, I wonder where that road goes or, if only I could explore a little further”. 

She loves adventure and the outdoors, though claims Colorado is the best place to spend time outside because of the lack of bugs.  She enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, CX riding, hiking, snowshoeing, split boarding and loves the beautiful Colorado views.  Michelle also likes going to car shows with her Dad and driving his classic cars. 

While Michelle has done more trail riding up to this point, she is looking forward to riding Leadville MX Park and learning how to get better at riding the track with the GRT ladies.  Michelle has a constant thirst to learn new things and is pumped for GRT because she enjoys genuine connection with badass people.

Alyssa Abbott

Our next member highlight comes from one of the most adventurous babes on our crew!

Alyssa is from Southern California and currently lives in Morrison, CO where she works in commercial roofing.

She grew up riding trails but started riding track a few years ago. “I love the adrenaline rush you get from riding. Either hucking jumps or finding that sweet line through the rocks on the trail, it always makes me feel alive.”

If you look at Alyssa’s Instagram page, it’s very clear that besides moto, she does everything else that Colorado outdoors has to offer, including climbing, backpacking, paddling, wheeling her truck, and just being with her dogos!

Thanks for letting us get to know you, Alyssa!

Janel Vogel

Janel was born and raised in Colorado and is currently living on the front range. She has always loved adventures and anything physically challenging but never had a dirt bike until she was 28! “I bought a bike and a van and rode every day I could. I spent a lot of time on the ground that first year 😆 but watching other riders, especially other women hit monster jumps at Thunder Valley really made me want to do it too.”

Janel’s story behind learning to ride is an inspiring one and like so many other girls, she describes how motocross and riding has played such an incredible role in her life: 

“Motocross has taught me so much about mental perseverance, grit and having the right attitude- I don’t think you can learn that kind of toughness without something as challenging as moto. It’s wild to have a machine so powerful that really the only limit on what you’re doing is your own mind.”

“Over the last few years I’ve met some really rad people but the women who ride are on a whole other level. GRT is a meetup of the raddest of the rad and I’m so happy to have found a crew to be inspired by and learn from. It’s been a really good time working on my own progression but even more awesome is watching someone else get better with every ride and clearing jumps they never thought they could do. On top of that, Leadville is such an incredible track, we are truly blessed to have it available and so well cared for.”

In her free time, Janel wants to ride any track she can and loves to travel to ride and race. 

 @OverbuiltLTD is Janel and Jonny’s company where they build custom decks, pergolas, ramps and pump tracks. “When I’m not on the KX250 or the KX450, I’m riding another kind of two wheeler, hanging out with my dog Gatsby, or working on some home projects with Jonny.”

Janel is always bringing new people to GRT and her positivity is contagious both on and off the track. She is a huge part of the GRT community and someone you can’t help but want to be around. Thank you for sharing your story Janel! 

Kayleigh Marie

What’s up, my name is Kayleigh. I am from the Finger Lakes area in NY. I have been in Colorado since 2010, and currently live in Minturn. I moved to Colorado to snowboard! I have my own business detailing cars in the summer, and I plow snow in the winter. I am also a certified yoga instructor!

I started dirt biking when I was 27 years old with a 125 two-stroke bike. After a year of riding that screamer, and fixing literally everything on it - I bought a four stroke. Game changer. I am currently on a 2019 Yamaha YZ250F. I mostly ride single track, but I love training at the track.

I have been coming to Girls Ride Toosday’s since the beginning! This is by far my favorite place to be in the summer time. There’s nothing better than being surrounded by badass chicks. I get my own bike ready to ride, and I’ll go out on the track until the sun goes down. Lap after lap, I learn a lot about my bike but even more about myself... I heard someone call a dirt bike an “awareness machine” because it forces you to live in that specific moment. It’s true, dirt biking is the best form of meditation.

Dirt biking has definitely taught me how to be more independent and self sufficient. It’s made me physically stronger and more tenacious. I am thankful for the sport, and everyone involved. But most importantly, I am thankful of Amy and Shannatay for being apart of this special place.

See you all at the next GRT!

Adele Zeh

Adele is a Western NY native who now calls Leadville, CO home. She is one of GRT’s original Leadville members and rides the back trails from her home to the track on “Toosdays”.

Adele is a Snowcat Operator in the winter at Gold Run Nordic Center. And, in her free time she enjoys anything outdoors; camping, hiking, snowboarding, and snurfing. She also loves taking her dog on any adventure she can think of.

When asked, how riding dirt bikes has influenced/affected her life, Adele said that moto is something she has always wanted to try, but wasn't able to get into until moving to Colorado. Once here, she discovered a love and obsession for riding, along side her nephew in NY, and together they have been exploring the trails on two wheels. Adele loves trial riding and has been pushed out of her comfort zone a little bit with riding Leadville MX Park with the GRT crew.

GRT is stoked to have had an influence on some different styles of riding for Adele and we are always happy to see her ride up to that green gate on “Toosdays”! Thanks for sharing your story Adele!