Rooted in adventure. Built on belonging.
Founded in 2017, Radical Adventure Riders is a movement toward gender inclusivity and racial equity in cycling and the outdoors. RAR does this by providing education, connection, resources, and support for the community and industry. RAR was originally founded by six friends who shared a passion for adventure cycling and wanted to encourage, support, and celebrate a wider representation of riders. Allies of the RAR community are welcome to reach out to find ways to support our efforts!
RAR Front Range is a chapter of Radical Adventure Riders established in 2023, after members of the team connected over their desire for a more inclusive, welcoming, and diverse bike culture for FTWN-B and BIPOC bikepackers and adventure cyclists in the Front Range of Colorado. Our chapter regularly hosts events in and around Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder.
The Front Range provides access to world-class road, gravel, and mountain biking that is unparalleled. Life in Colorado is centered around the outdoors and being in nature, which makes it a prime location for a group focused on bringing folks into adventure cycling. Despite the intense cycling focus in the area, the opportunities and resources for new, inexperienced, or marginalized bikers feel disconnected and disparate — to a point which can make it feel like there are no resources at all.
- To connect the Front Range bike community and groups.
- To create a more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming cycling community in the Front Range.
- And to empower people on bikes — with education and access.
What do FTWN-B and BIPOC mean?
FTWN-B is shorthand for femme, transgender, women and non-binary. BIPOC is shorthand for Black, Indigenous and people of color. We acknowledge that letters and labels only go so far, and that, above all, we seek to respect whatever words people use to describe themselves.
Our Leadership Team
Jess Arehart
she/herJess is an engineer, artist, and cyclist who is passionate about creating space for FTWN-B in male-dominated spaces. After discovering bike joy in college, she prioritized building mechanics knowledge at local co-ops while dabbling in all types of riding. After grad school, she discovered bikepacking with RAR New Haven and landed in Colorado a couple years later. Jess feels lucky to have had mentorship in all of her outdoor endeavors, and is excited to help others find the same sense of confidence in the outdoors and in bike shops. When she's not working on surgical robots, you'll find her on a bike, out climbing and taking photos, or making pottery in her home studio.
Jen Bell
she/herJenny is crazy passionate about getting folks out on bikepacking trips, especially brand-new beginners. Her favorite trips include downtime for painting and fancy backcountry cooking.
Oly Abbate
they/themOly, bikepacker-extraordinaire and full-time bike mechanic, has been an urban biker for over a decade. They have tons of experience, and are always stoked to get out on an adventure.
Al Secreto
she/theyAlyssa started biking while living in Chicago and kept on riding until they arrived in Colorado. You'll find her most herself with gummy bears, a bike and a tent, excited to help others access meaningful experiences for themselves.