WTF GRAVEL PROGRAM
In 2020 one of the WTF Bikexplorers priorities is to expand our vision of inclusivity, diversity, and representation specifically at gravel events. We’re doing this by creating a stronger FTW community, one in which rather than competing against each other, we support, celebrate, and connect to grow and develop as individuals and a community as a whole. We believe that having a community at these events makes them easier and more fun to participate in, so we have created a communication network through Google where all members if they choose, can network with one another for training rides, questions carpooling and lodging logistics for gravel race events.
Read about the WTF Bikexplorers gravel program on The Radavist
There are two facets of the gravel program this year: The WTF Bikexplorers Gravel Squad and the Gravel Team. While the gravel team has already been selected for 2020, anyone who is interested in gravel race events and identifies as non-binary, transgender, femme, or woman is encouraged to join the Gravel Squad at any time.
OUR MISSION
The WTF Bikexplorers Gravel Squad is a community of cyclists who identifies as non-binary, transgender, women, or femme with the following mission.
- To support, celebrate and connect a community of strong non-binary, transgender, femme, and women cyclists who challenge themselves in gravel race events.
- To increase representation and advocate for more gender and racial inclusivity and equality at gravel race events.
- To be stewards of the WTF Bikexplorers Guiding Principles.
- To inspire more non-binary, transgender, femme, and women cyclists to hold space at gravel race events.
REQUIREMENTS
- To participate in at least one gravel event in 2020.
- To uphold the principles and be ambassadors of the WTF Bikexplorers Guiding Principles and Cycling Industry Pledge.
- You must identify as non-binary, transgender, femme, or woman.
BENEFITS
- You will be added to a community network with over 200 cyclists who identify as non-binary, transgender, women, or femme in a google group where you can network to meet new people, coordinate training rides in your region, ask questions, and coordinate logistics for travel and lodging at gravel events.
- Priority registration and/or registration discounts at certain gravel race events.
- Special offers through the Sponsors of the Gravel Program.
- The opportunity to rock a sweet WTF Bikexplorers Gravel Squad Tech Tee which will be available in early May.
HOW TO JOIN THE GRAVEL SQUAD
To join the community please fill out the following survey and you will be added to the Google network as well as any specific newsletters for the gravel program in approximately one week.
THE WTF BIKEXPLORERS GRAVEL TEAM
An incredible team of ambassadors will be representing and sharing the mission of the WTF Bikeplorers Gravel Program Mission at four major gravel events in 2020: Dirty Kanza, SBT Gravel, Gravel Worlds, and Grinduro California. They will be sharing their journey along the way.
MEET THE TEAM
Carley Erickson
they/them. Portland, Oregon.
I fell in love with racing last winter when I participated in a bandit cross race, since then I’ve done two gravel races and have my first cyclocross season in the books. As I’m more experienced with shorter races, my goal is to cross the finish line and still feel human. I envision the team holding and creating more space for FTW’s at gravel races by organizing group rides, community building, and sharing our stories.
Natalia Cortes
Natalia, she/her. Based in East San José, California.
My experience with gravel comes from riding local trails. It wasn’t until I had my first bike packing trip last October, a trip that included a fantastic rocky descent into a river valley, that I discovered the feeling you get when you’re goin’ fast. So now… all I want is to get faster. My goal, as a first generation daughter of hard-working Mexican immigrants, is to break boundaries and make space for folks who come from similar situations. It only seems fit to be a part of a team that wants to do the same.
Emily Waldron
she/her. Based in Hayden, CO.
I’ve been casually gravel racing for a few years, mostly small, local events; last summer I started increasing my mileage and going to bigger events. This season I am excited to ride fast and not just ride to finish and I can’t wait to see what the team does on course! I couldn’t imagine spending this much time with folks who weren’t actively trying to make the world a better place and I am excited to bring the message of inclusivity and diversity to the gravel scene.
Delaney Burkette
she/her. Based in Oregon.
I’ve been a cyclist (road and mtb) for a long
time, but only recently found gravel racing. My goals for this season are to make the WTF community known to be competitive and able to contribute in a large way to the gravel world. As for my team, I am confident that we will provide a welcoming, encouraging, and inspiring space for
everybody at the events we attend.
Hannah Dhonau
he/her. Based in Beautah (SLC), UT
My riding/racing background can be summarized as “everything in moderation, especially moderation,” having mostly raced self-supported multi-day routes. Racing larger events with the WTF Gravel Team provides the chance to work with and for others. I want to cross the finish knowing I gave my team every ounce of effort. But more than that, I hope we can foster and see the growth of the FTW community at races, so when we toe the line, there’s a greater sense of belonging.
Effie Bourgin
she/her. Based in Berkeley, CA.
My racing experience is practically nil; on a whim I signed up for a big gravel race last fall and totally fell in love. I’ve been riding bikes for a long time but have only been working towards longer distances and a faster pace for < 1 year. This season I’m excited to push hard and feel strong, as an individual and as a team. It’s time for the [gravel] racing world to make space for FTWs and BIPOC and I think the WTF Gravel Team will be an important voice in this paradigm shift.
Jorja Creighton
Jorja AKA Jambi, she/her. Based in Sydney, Australia
Started bike messengering 9 years ago has been responsible for my deep dive into cycling and since have experienced nearly every offering cycling has. Except racing. So this year the cleats are torqued, and I hope to support my team giving them all my power to reach their goals and my own…and look good doing it.
Devin Cowens
she/her. Based in Atlanta, GA.
My background is in event planning and fundraising, and I currently work as Director of Events and Engagement for Velocio. I spend my free time doing things outside, eating lots of snacks, running @wtfbikexplorersatl, and spreading the love of systems and logistics to my friends.
I have never raced bikes so this is a completely new endeavor for me. I’m excited to develop my mental and physical strength, learn from others, and see where my body can take me over the next several months.
Elyse Bejasa
she/her. Based in New Orleans, LA.
By day, I am a fundraiser for an animal welfare nonprofit. I’ve raced bikes since 2016 but only started gravel in 2018. My friends and I decided to sign up for the DK200 in 2018 and trained for months. I fell short of finishing because of mechanicals which set me back timewise, but I loved every minute of it. Well, almost every minute.
My goal is to be a positive, supportive leader for POCs in gravel racing and beyond. I joined this team to become a stronger racer, but also to be a stronger and better leader by learning, representing for those who the bike industry has left out of conversations, and doing things that scare me with supportive folks by my side.
Izzy Sederbaum
he/him. Based in Seattle, WA.
When not riding bikes and being team Dad, I am a researcher and a PhD student at the University of Washington. I’ve been racing bikes on and off for 19 years (maybe I should be team Grandpa), and started racing gravel in 2017. For me, racing is a way for me to push myself and expand my limits, rather than focusing on medals and podiums. It’s also fun as hell. I’m here to show that there is plenty of room for trans people in the racing community and to use my love of logistics and cookies to support the team as we work together to challenge the boundaries of who racing has traditionally been for.
Dartanian Kaufman
they/them, she/her. Based in Berkeley, CA.
I’ve worked in environmental education over the past 8 years. I’m a bike teacher, mechanic and collective member at Cycles of Change/the Oakland bikery. Here to push my pedals towards positivity for the youth I work with and my communities. As a beginner to gravel racing, love of bikes runs to my depths. I have seen my commitment to riding influence my quality of life by reducing acute mental and emotional states, supporting me to be present for life every day. My goal on this team is to let my neurodivergence shine as a gift, build solidarity with other FTW racers and crush goals I didn’t know I had AKA fly while falling.
PRIMARY SUPPORTERS
Special thanks and appreciation to our primary supporters for 2020 who make WTF BX dreams a reality. Please email us at wtfbikexplorers@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about supporting our programs for 2021.
