Where Fear Becomes Fuel: A Women’s MTB Experience in Monterey That Changes Everything

Fort Ord Mountain Bike Trails. Monterey, CA. Photo Credit: US Bureau of Land Management

There’s a moment in every rider’s journey when the gears shift right into place. Not just on the trail, but within yourself. That moment where fear starts to change, where confidence begins to rise, and where you realize you’re capable of more than you ever imagined. For me, that moment has been unfolding in a powerful way lately.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to support Brian Astell at a Trailworks Women's Marinduro Prep clinic at China Camp State Park in Northern California where I live, and it reminded me exactly why I do this work. Being surrounded by women who are hungry to learn, to grow, to ride better, and to connect—it lit something up in me.

In those conversations, I realized how much we all crave this. Not just better riding skills, but shared experiences. Different types of riding. Different environments. Different challenges. And most importantly, a community where we can grow together.

That’s what inspired this Fort Ord Women’s MTB Ride.

I want to bring everything I’ve learned, through coaching, through riding, through experiences like this past weekend, and pour it into something meaningful for other women. Every lesson, every breakthrough, every mindset shift gets integrated into what I teach and into my evolving framework from 23 Principles of Mountain Biking. It’s all connected.

Because this has always been who I am.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been writing. Little books that turned into bigger ones. Stories that turned into purpose. It’s how I process the world—by learning, listening, growing, and then sharing it back out. That’s what MTB Girls Magazine is all about.

That’s what these rides are about. And I am constantly inspired.

From riders like Abby and Lily Cole, the MTB twins pushing boundaries on the East Coast, to the powerful climbers of British Columbia like Gracie Hammersmith, to legends like Leigh Donovan in Southern California—these women are redefining what’s possible. Their strength, their courage, their presence—it fuels me.

And it reminds me why this matters so much.

Because every woman has that power in her. Sometimes it’s just buried under fear, doubt, or not having the right environment to unlock it.

That’s what this ride is about.

At Fort Ord National Monument, we’re not just riding trails—we’re stepping into something bigger. We’re learning how to move through fear and turn it into fuel. We’re building strength, control, and confidence on the bike while developing a mindset that carries into every part of life.

You’ll learn how to position your body for power, how to ride with intention, how to trust your instincts. But more than that, you’ll feel what it’s like to believe in yourself in a new way.

Because something shifts when you do.

When you ride something that once scared you. When you push a little further. When you realize you’re not just keeping up, you’re leading your own experience.

That’s the transformation.

And it doesn’t end when the ride is over. It follows you home. Into your daily life. Into how you show up, how you take on challenges, how you see yourself.

This is more than a clinic. It’s a shared experience, a connection point, and a catalyst.

And I truly believe it can change you.

Spots are limited, and registration closes April 20.

Sign up now: https://www.lizdonahey.com/fort-ord-womens-mtb-ride