Moms Just Wanna Have Fun(damentals)

October 16, 2024

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Written by: Olivia Nicholls


One of a parent’s proudest NICA moments is cheering for their child when they pass by on the trail, cross the finish line, or master a new skill. Often, they’re supporting from the sidelines, but in Tennessee, NICA is doing more than inviting parents to watch their students succeed— we’re bringing them along with us on the trail!

Mom’s On Bikes (aka MOBS), is the brainchild of local TN GRiT Coordinator Beth Pride Ford. She created the program when she noticed that many NICA moms were interested in learning to mountain bike, but didn’t know where to start.

My vision for MOBS is to encourage moms to believe that they belong in mountain biking, and that they can give themselves the time and space in their lives to pursue a fun activity,” says Beth Pride. She runs a MOBS Fundamental Skills Clinic on every race weekend, giving any mom in attendance a chance to try out the sport for themselves.

After an hour working on skills like cornering and braking, the moms then join up with GRiT student-athletes and head out on the trails for a fun social ride. Lately, they have been joined by an extra group of girls.  

Little Bella’s, an organization that offers non-competitive mountain bike programming for girls aged 7-18, serves many of the same areas as TN NICA. Beth Pride saw an opportunity to drive even more impact by inviting the Little Bella riders to come along and learn skills side-by-side with the MOBS.

“One of my favorite moments was watching our moms and the Little Bellas playing games together on their bikes and riding on trails together afterwards. Fostering connection between moms and younger girls is valuable because they learn from each other, inspire each other to take on challenges, and to experience the joy of play.”

The clinics are often the confidence boost that moms need to get more involved with the sport. After experiencing her first MOBS clinic, Monica Boucek knew she wanted to keep on riding. She applied for her Level 1 NICA coaching license so that she could help out with her son’s team. “Becoming a Level 1 NICA coach has given me a chance to learn more about the sport my son loves! Now that I am practicing with his team, I have been able to spend more time with him, his friends and his coaches.”

In the wake of the success of Beth Pride’s clinics, Diana Allen (NICA’s Coach Education Manager of DEI Initiatives) saw an opportunity to include moms across the country. With support from the Life Time Foundation and collaboration with Beth Pride, Diana adapted the MOBS clinics into a formal practice plan. Now, these clinics are empowering moms across other NICA leagues to try out the sport and to take on coaching roles. 

Beth Pride is proud of every single mom who gets on the saddle for the first time, whether or not they decide to coach. Putting on the clinics is the highlight of her season. “I am so grateful to be a part of GRiT and Little Bellas. I have seen girls and women empowered through these programs and that means so much to me. My desire is for girls and women to create lives that they truly love.”


Want to get involved or learn more about how NICA is moving the needle to get #MoreGirlsOnBikes? Visit our GRiT page.


When you support NICA, you support life-changing moments, an inclusive community, and a re-imagined youth sports experience.