Written by: Gabby Huffman
Aria Koberg didn’t start mountain biking with a long-term plan. When she first joined NICA in middle school, she was looking for a way to be outside and stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mountain biking felt intimidating at first, but with the support of patient, encouraging coaches and teammates, she kept showing up. Practices slowly became something she looked forward to. When Aria lined up for her first race, she surprised herself by finishing third. The result gave her confidence and motivation, and she kept riding.
After graduating in 2025, Aria is carrying her experiences with NICA beyond her high school years. What stood out most to Aria during her time in the Texas League wasn’t just the excitement and fun of racing, but the community. While mountain biking can look fiercely competitive from the outside, Aria’s experience was rooted in connection. Girls from different teams supported one another, cheered each other on, and looked forward to reconnecting on race weekends. Joint riding camps and shared experiences created a space where competition and camaraderie could coexist.
That sense of support reshaped how Aria saw the sport itself.
Before NICA, “kids, and girls especially, think [mountain biking] is all about jumps and tricks, and don’t realize there is so much more.”
Being part of a welcoming team showed her that mountain biking offered space for confidence-building, belonging, and possibility. “I never thought I would race, but it just naturally happened being in such a supportive community,” Aria shared.
Inspired by her NICA and GRiT experience, Aria took her love for riding a step further by founding Austin Mini Riders, a summer camp that introduces young girls to bikes in a fun and welcoming environment. What began as a local program has already expanded beyond Austin, with two additional franchises in Texas and new locations in Park City, Utah and Southern California. Through her leadership and vision, Aria is building pathways for more girls to enter the sport early and experience the confidence, community, and joy that first inspired her.
For Aria, mountain biking has taught her that she’s capable of more than she had ever imagined, and gave her a safe place to build skills, overcome fear, and gain confidence that carries over into everyday life.
That strong sense of self, plus the confidence gained as part of her NICA experience, ultimately led Aria to write Gritty Gabby Rides a Mountain Bike.
The inspiring picture book empowers young girls to be brave, try new things, and discover what they’re capable of.
In the story, Gabby, the main character, loves riding her bike around the neighborhood, but she thinks mountain biking seems scary. That changes when a high school girl visits her school and shares how much fun the trails can be. After seeing girls her age riding confidently through the woods, Gabby feels inspired. When she receives a mountain bike for her birthday, she begins an adventure filled with nature, friendship, and new challenges, all at her own pace.
Since its release, Gritty Gabby Rides a Mountain Bike has received the Mom’s Choice Award, recognizing its positive message and impact for young readers and families.
When you support NICA, you support life-changing moments, an inclusive community, and a re-imagined youth sports experience.
Check Out More Stories!
From turning pedals to turning pages: How NICA inspired Aria Koberg to write a cycling-themed children’s book
Unlocking the art of sports photography for NICA athletes: A collaboration with Fujifilm
Frame the Ride: see NICA’s 2025 Regional event through athletes’ eyes
Exponential Impact: A Delaware Team Story
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