On today’s episode I get to meet Ally Johnson who is taking the reins over at Bikepacking Roots. She was hired in October, but we wanted to give her a little time to get acquainted with her new role before having her on. Ally brings with her an impressive academic resume. From Bikepacking Roots, “Ally has a master’s degree in Policy, Organization, and Leadership from Stanford University, undergraduate work in nonprofit leadership, and last taught US history and civics at the high school level. Ally was chosen from a large candidate pool of highly qualified individuals, a testament to the passion and diversity of experiences in the bikepacking community.”
Ally fell in love with Bikepacking in 2019 when she took on the Tour Divide Route as her first ever bikepacking trip, finishing in 50 days. She came into bikepacking with experience as a thru hiker and from bike-touring, but taking on the TD for your first bikepacking trip is a true challenge and says a lot about Ally. Her time is in stark contrast to the 15 day time set by the previous executive Director, Kurt Refsnider, but it is exactly this that makes this sport and community so great. Ally is committed to growing the community in a way that is welcoming and inclusive to everybody. It doesn’t matter if you ride the TD in 15 days or 50. What matters is the experience that a person has on their personal journey and no one should be robbed that opportunity.
Bikepacking Roots is the ONLY non-profit organization thats dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and creating professional routes. Their work is critical for us a bikepackers in a growing segment of cycling we need representation and leadership. We need a seat at the table and voice alongside hikers, equestrians, and other outdoor sectors, and with your help Bikepacking Roots can do just that!
Bikes or Death donates to Bikepacking Roots directly and to their BIPOC Adventure Grant program. Please consider following and supporting their work as well by visiting BikepackingRoots.org.
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