Gnarly Nutrition athlete Lael Wilcox started the GRIT (Girls Riding into Tomorrow) program with Cait Rodriguez in Alaska in 2017. Both cyclists are passionate about getting more people on bikes and formed GRIT to give young girls access to bikes and mentorship within the cycling community.
The middle school bike mentorship program takes 11-13-year-old girls through a six-week course, training for the finale of a three-day bike packing ride up to 65 miles.
This year, GRIT expands to Tucson, Arizona, and Gnarly Nutrition supports the program with financial contributions and products. Gnarly’s donations will be used to purchase and supply meals throughout the program. Gnarly also will supply sticks of its electrolyte mix, Hydrate, to keep participants hydrated as they tackle their rides.
“Gnarly’s financial involvement is our fund for the final campsite and food – lunch at the farmers’ market, local pizza, burgers and snacks. The focus of the program is getting girls on bikes and spending time outside with positive women from different backgrounds – the most exciting part is building up to the final camp out and sleeping under the stars. It’s not about how far we go; it’s about the time we spend together,” Wilcox said. “Tucson GRIT is a community-based program. This year we’re working with 11 girls from seven different schools all over Tucson. Last week, one of the girls learned how to ride a bike for the first time and the following day rode 11 miles!”
Understanding the early teen years are pivotal for development, Lael targeted the middle school age group for GRIT participants. She wished she had had an opportunity like this one when she was younger and became motivated to be a mentor to aspiring young cyclists to empower them to achieve their goals. GRIT seeks to be a confidence-building opportunity for young girls. It gives them a chance to take on a large, independent challenge and prove to themselves they’re capable.
For more, visit Gnarly’s website.
