How mountain biking provides the gift of confidence, adventure, community, and mental health.
By Kim Rudd
I purchased a new road bike with my babysitting money when I was around 14 years old. I grew up in Roseville, a suburb just northeast of Minneapolis. As a young teen, I remember riding out into the country, exploring new roads, and feeling a sense of freedom. Since then, cycling has provided me with a multitude of gifts, including confidence, adventure, community, and the opportunity to experience solitude in nature.
I attended Bemidji State University, where I raced on the Nordic ski team. One of my teammates was able to secure a deal on a used mountain bike from the Minneapolis police auction for me. Back in 1991, there were not many single-track trails developed in the Midwest, so we would find renegade trails or ride ski trails out in the country.
My husband, Craig, shares the same passion for cycling as I do. In our first year of marriage, we registered for the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Race in 1994. It rained the entire night before the event, and the trails were so muddy that you could hardly recognize who people were at the end of the race. Back then, there were no suspension systems, so riding was a bit rough. My forearms were completely numb from all the pounding, and I could hardly pedal my bike with all the mud in my drivetrain. It took me ten years to sign up for that race again.
The Gift of Confidence
Now, thirty-plus years later, I have become a more skilled and confident mountain biker. This confidence has permeated many areas of my life, including starting an adventure travel business. Mountain biking has allowed me to overcome my fear of failure and has increased my resilience to “get back up on the saddle again” no matter how many times I crash.
Over the years, I have participated in several mountain bike race events across the Midwest. Twenty years ago, there were not as many women mountain bike racers, so the mass starts often felt intimidating. Eventually, I have become a very confident racer who lines up at the front of the pack, despite my limited sprinting ability.
From 2012 to 2022, I served as the director of Trail Kids, a youth mountain bike and ski program at the Loppet Foundation. I had a difficult time recruiting girls into the co-ed mountain bike programs until I formed a girls-only group called “Girls Rock”. Suddenly, girls came out of the woodwork and were not as intimidated when separated from the boys. I was thrilled to see more girls fall in love with the sport of mountain biking. This is one of the reasons I enjoy leading women-only mountain bike trips. Creating an encouraging atmosphere where women can learn new skills at their own pace has been very rewarding.
This past spring, I had the opportunity to lead two women’s mountain bike trips to Bentonville, Arkansas, and Cuyuna, MN. On both trips, it was incredible to witness the confidence in these women increase as they learned new mountain bike skills. One particular moment stands out on the Cuyuna trip when the group was sessioning a rock climb on the black Winze trail. It was a challenging rock climb that included a sharp corner. All of our more experienced advanced riders were unable to make the climb, but our beginner rider was the only one who successfully navigated the entire rock garden. We were all amazed by her courage and ability to navigate the climb. The importance of women riding together cannot be underestimated.
In the last few years, I have coached several women’s fundamental mountain bike skill series at Wirth Park. Several years ago, I became certified as a BICP instructor. This training has enabled me to acquire additional skills to keep myself safe, while also becoming a more confident rider and coach. This past spring, two women had a breakthrough session learning how to ride a log pile they thought they would never be able to do before.
The Gift of Adventure –
Mountain biking is a great way to explore new areas in a quick amount of time. Some of my favorite mountain bike destinations have been Bozeman, Montana (where my two girls resided), Whitefish, Montana, Durango, and all parts of Colorado. Grand Targhee (Teton Range), Copper Harbor and Marquette, MI, Moab, Utah, and Sedona, Arizona.
One of my favorite mountain bike races was the Dakota 50 in Spearfish, S.D. The first time I did this race, I crashed a few days before the event and also got stung in my eye by a bee. I decided I would not be defeated and raced with a very sore shoulder, but I ended up having a stellar performance.
The most adventurous and challenging race I have completed was the Margi Gesik held in Marquette, MI. The race has as much elevation as Leadville, but features all gnarly single-track trails with numerous technical climbs and descents that require hiking. Finishing in over eight hours, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I navigated technical single-track trails alongside other like-minded riders.
Probably the most adventurous cycling is biking to a glacier near Seward, Alaska. My longtime adventure friend, Mike Johnson, decided to join me for this all-day fat biking adventure to the most beautiful glacier I have ever seen.
Over the past few years, my husband and I have taken up gravel bikepacking. Several years ago, we rode a 350-mile loop that started in Cable, WI, which provided thirty waterfalls along the route. Not knowing exactly where we would camp, combined with the excitement of exploring another hidden waterfall, allowed me to fall in love with bikepacking. Getting lost, riding on hidden double-track trails, and jumping into Lake Superior with crashing waves made this a memorable experience!
Gift of Community
Mountain biking has provided me with a whole new community of friends. Three years ago, I started my Endurance Adventures business where I lead Nordic Ski and mountain bike trips for adults. The company started right after COVID, when adults were craving community after being isolated. I can’t tell you how many wonderful adults I have met through cycling and skiing.
This past April, I led a mountain bike trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, with nine other women from across the Midwest. One of the participants had a doctorate in ornithology (the study of birds), and the entire group became interested in listening to birds as we biked through the Ozark woods. Within hours, these women become best friends as we explore new trails together.
In June, Endurance Adventures led a women’s mountain bike weekend up at Cuyuna State Park in Northern Minnesota. Women from Nebraska, Michigan, and Minnesota explored over 50 miles of single-track trails and encouraged each other as they sessioned various technical climbs and descents. The participants bonded with post-ride salsa dancing, along with a recovery polar plunge in the deep mine lake. I am grateful for all the incredible women and men who have crossed my path through cycling and look forward to meeting new riders on the upcoming trips!
Gift of Being “Present”
Cycling has also improved my overall mental and physical health. Over the years, I have struggled with anxiety and depression. Mountain biking has helped me with my mental health through the gift of being in the “moment”. Mountain biking requires the mind to focus on what rock, tree, or corner lies ahead on the trail, which provides mental focus. Cycling in green spaces allows me to relax and cultivate mind-body awareness. Research has shown that even 15 minutes of exercise can help decrease anxiety. I believe mountain biking rates high on the list of stress-relievers because you are fully immersed in the woods, without the distractions of phones, cars, and people. I love the feeling of being in the “flow”-both mentally and physically — on your bike, where you almost feel like you are one with the woods. Leaning into every berm and scanning the trail ahead provides your mind with space to be present in the moment!
When you are out cycling this summer, reflect on what cycling has given to you and share this passion with someone you know! Better yet, join Kim on her upcoming women’s mountain bike trip in Hayward, WI Oct. 3-5, 2025!
Ride on!
Kim Rudd