Pedals, Progress, and Possibility
Getting Started
My name is Josephine Garofalo. I have been biking for eight years now, starting when I was 9. I became interested in mountain biking when my step-dad would come back from rides covered in mud. I was curious about what he was doing to get that dirty, so he and my mom decided to buy me a bike so I could give it a try.
When I joined PICL, I was one of the only girls on my team which bummed me out a bit.
“During the summer, I went to a mountain bike clinic and saw girls doing things on their mountain bikes that I thought only guys could do.”
I realized that biking is not just something I’d do for fun, I could also be competitive. I learned that I could work hard to gain strength and skills on my bike. Seeing what was possible for me was motivating and encouraging.
Sticking With It
Mountain biking is a break from my school work. I dedicate a lot of time to school, so I love that mountain biking gives me an excuse to spend time outside in all seasons. I love the adrenaline rush of going super fast and riding my bike frees me from being locked into school work or on my phone or computer.
I also stick with mountain biking because I get to meet so many new people with different riding preferences. Some are competitive and others are just looking to have fun while riding. There are many different ways to enjoy mountain biking such as cross country, enduro and even fat tire riding in the winter. I like how mountain biking challenges me in different ways such as navigating climbs, tight turns, technical routes and even downhill.
My Hope
“It is my hope that girls and women in mountain biking gain enough confidence and grow in numbers to the point where specific programs aren’t even needed. ”
We’d gain traction in the sport and it would become natural to see all types of riders on the trails. I think it's important for people to know that no matter their age, no matter their gender, and regardless of skill, they can always start mountain biking without judgement.