GRiT (Girls Riding Together)
GRiT is a dedicated NICA initiative focused on increasing female participation in mountain biking. GRiT empowers female student-athletes and coaches both on and off the bike. We are passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive environment where girls can build confidence, master new skills, and form lifelong friendships through mountain biking. Whether you are hitting the trails for the very first time or looking to elevate your riding, GRiT provides the encouragement, mentorship, and community needed for every rider to thrive, push boundaries, and experience the joy of two wheels.
Tune in to the NC GRiT Podcast, created, hosted, and published entirely by our female student-athletes! Each episode offers an authentic, behind-the-handlebars look at our league as student hosts interview guest speakers, share trail stories, and dive into topics like overcoming pre-race nerves, building skills, and cultivating community. It is an inspiring celebration of youth cycling through the voices of the riders who live it every day.
Why GRiT?
While cycling has historically been a male-dominated sport, GRiT exists to change that narrative by creating intentional, supportive spaces where female student-athletes feel empowered to participate, grow, and lead and a league culture that supports that. Research shows that girls drop out of sports during adolescence at twice the rate of boys, often due to a lack of representation, community, or fear of judgment. GRiT breaks down these barriers by pairing new riders with positive female mentors, fostering a culture of encouragement over competition, and providing opportunities for community building and growth. By giving girls a space where they can take risks and show up authentically, we are not just building stronger mountain bikers -we are cultivating confident, resilient young women who carry the courage built on the trail into every area of their lives and reshaping the future of mountain biking. To learn more about NICA’s GRiT Initiative, click here.
