Little Bellas

The sport of cycling lacked a new female generation, and women lacked the confidence to compete and race mountain bikes. These observations were the catalyst for a solution. In 2007, the solution became the creation of Little Bellas. The solution would be focused on girls ages 7-16. We felt the status quo of sports at that time created an environment where teenage self-esteem tends to decrease in girls and increase in boys. We needed an environment where support and respect were keystone values. A community of all women set the tone for encouraging participation. Following suit, the inaugural program consisted of twelve Sunday sessions led by female mentors. We realized early on that an empowering environment consisted of mentors not coaches, instructors, or counselors. This was not to be solely a skills-based program. Little Bellas would encompass confidence building by empowering young girls through sport. It would promote food and nutrition as a source of fuel. It would be centered on fun, and it would, of course, encourage skill development on and off the bike.