Claiming Spaces: Seeking Empowerment On Gravel

At 7,000 feet above sea level, riders from all over the globe came together in Steamboat Springs, CO, to capitalize on the spirit, empowerment, and community-building that gravel brings. The NYC chapter of Black Girls Do Bike, a nonprofit that focuses on nurturing a vibrant sisterhood of women of color who share a passion for cycling, made the trip out to Colorado to represent their fellow BIPOC community and connect with other cyclists.

"My hope is that other BIPOC women, when learning about us, will see themselves reflected in us and envision a sense of belonging within cycling spaces like SBT GRVL. And this will motivate them with excitement and Black Girl Magic to take steps to join us or claim their own space in the cycling world."
Sobeyda Valle-Ellis, BGDB member

Photo Credit: Linda Guerrette, Stephen Shelesky, Dane Cronin

Finding connection throughout the miles of champagne gravel and within the streets of downtown Steamboat, these women made the most of their weekend in the thin air. Embodying diversity, fellowship, and empowerment, Black Girls Do Bike continue to claim their space at events like SBT GRVL and grow the BIPOC community within cycling - all while encouraging others to join them or claim a space of their own.

"Representation means A LOT to me. People may not always envision what is possible for themselves until they see someone else who looks like them doing it. In a way it was a lot of pressure being one of very few black women from NYC riding the blue course, but it felt really great to complete the course for my community, to show what we are capable of."
- Sheba Michel, BGDB member