Laura Gleason
Co-President
None

Cathi Mowery
Co-President
I find it very ironic that I grew up in the mountains of central Pennsylvania but did not take up mountain biking until I moved to Charlotte. It wasn’t until watching the Tour in 2005, that I became inspired to ride regularly with my husband Rod. That was the summer I bought my first gently used bike and donned cleats to improve my riding. Later that Aug., I joined the Divas to find friendship with those who enjoyed our hobby. In 2006, I started racing which I jokingly say was my mid-life crisis. This, my 2nd year, saw me invest more money than I would ever imagine on my very own, very special Titus race bike. I enjoy the challenge and accomplishment of racing as well as traveling to different trails.

Though I was a twirler in high school, I’ve never really had a passion since and mountain biking with the Dirt Divas has certainly filled that void. I only wish I would’ve started riding much earlier. When not working, I wanna ride! But if I can’t, then I’m probably eating ice cream and playing with our dog Sonny.

Patty Smith
Co-Vice President
The co-Presidency position requires a personal commitment and as one of the founding members it has been wonderful to watch this club grow and develop, and to see the impact it has made in the women's lives. This club has brought us all good friendships and has improved our self-confidence.

I moved to Charlotte in 1999 from Greensboro, NC. My husband and I have a little girl and we are expecting a son this winter, also included as a family member is our cat "Cisco". By profession I'm a real estate coordinator at Prudential Carolinas Realty- South Park office. When I'm not cycling I also enjoy spending time with family, snowboarding, camping, trips to the mountains and working in the yard.

I bought my first bike (had to weigh 50 lbs.) and started riding in the summer of 1999. Through riding with other mountain bikers I was introduced into road riding in the spring of 2000. Mountain biking is still my first love and I began racing in the spring of 2001, now I've really gotten hooked.

My favorite local trail is Renaissance, because it's close to town, tight, twisty, fast and fun. In the beginning this trail claimed many of my bruises, scrapes, gashes, burns É but it has also claimed far many more of my smiles. Still within the state, I have really enjoyed the challenges of Dupont Forests' (outside of Hendersonville) terrain, waterfalls and scenery, the adventures of exploring the perfect route amongst the 90+ miles is also a challenge.

My all time favorite trail is the 401 trail in Crested Butte, CO. Once you reach the snow that still lies on the ground in Aug., you know you have reached the top. The decent is rocky, steep hairpin turns, some off camber but all of it is absolutely beautiful, once you break out into the meadows this narrow little trail is lined with wildflowers taller than your head. Fruita, CO would have to rank a close 2nd, beautiful rock formations along the CO river.

Tracey Jones
Co-Vice President
None

Patricia Boudreau
Treasurer
I found the Dirt Divas before I moved to Charlotte from Minnesota in 2005…and have been a member ever since!

I’m the forever beginner in the group…I get to ride for a couple months, non-stop on weekends, then my life takes me away from what I love to do to doing what I have to do to do what I love! In the end, it doesn’t matter that I’m temporarily pulled away because I always come back to the trails and am always active with the club who are not only my riding buddies, but my friends too.

I found out about mountain biking while in Minnesota . I was traditionally a backpacker but lived in the central part of MN where the corn stalks are tall, the soybeans are plentiful and the trails are minimal. So, in order to get that “outdoor” fix when I couldn’t hike, I bought a bike from Target to ride in the evenings on the Rails To Trails near my house. Soon, I was campground camping on the weekends just so I could ride my bike! Then I found out about mountain biking… in MN of all places! My first trail was called the Continental Divide (LOL…so purposefully coined because the ups were as steep as the downs) and I rode it on my Target bike. After that trail ride, I soon discovered why people spend a bit more money on a bike… for parts had shaken loose!! I didn’t care tho… I was in love with this new-found 2 wheeled-machine! Since moving to Charlotte , I’ve had the opportunity to upgrade my mountain bike as well as purchasing a road bike. I do both sports as often as possible and still get that same excitement running through me each time I ride. It’s not a hobby for me, but a way of life!

Oh yeah, I’m in the Financial field by trade, so Treasurer is a great way for me to contribute to the club.

Shelley Childers
Secretary
None

Melissa Magann
Co-Ride Coordinator
During the summer of 2006 I had retired from playing softball and needed a new hobby to keep me busy. I knew I wanted to do something outdoors that would be a form of exercise. I took a look in my garage and saw my 1994 Nishiki fully rigid bike hanging on the wall and a light bulb went off – I’ll try mountain biking. I talked a couple of friends into going with me to Poplar Tent since that was the only trail I knew of at the time in the area. I had a great time – my friends not so much. Later that day I called a local bike shop and asked about other trails in the Charlotte area and they directed me to the website for the Tarheel Trailblazers which then led me to the Dirt Divas and a beautiful friendship was born. That Tuesday night I joined the Divas for my first ride at Beatty and have been hooked ever since. A few weeks later I had bought a new bike, a camelback, gloves and even padded shorts (which was the best investment).

I’ve been on every spring and fall trip to the mountains since the fall of 2006 and each time I enjoy them even more. I love riding the different types of terrain in the mountains and challenging myself to climb another rocky incline or descend a steep rooty downhill. When riding in Charlotte my favorite trail is Sherman Branch - I love the twisty turns, log piles, structures, dirt/log jumps and the fact that there isn’t a lot of elevation to the trail.

I assumed the role of Co-Ride Coordinator in 2008 and enjoy leading the group rides during the week, teaching new riders the tricks of the trade and taking day trips to new trails in the Carolinas . I figure I’m going to be at every ride each week anyway so why not have a say in where we ride.

Stephanie Nelson
Co-Ride Coordinator
None

Bobbi Kimsey
Event Planner
I joined the Dirt Divas in 2005 after finding the club online. I don't even remember what I was searching for, but I landed on the Dirt Divas. I knew I enjoyed riding a bike and being in the woods - something my sons and husband would do for only a few minutes at a time. I had no idea what "mountain biking" really was! After my first ride with the DIvas, I was both terrified and hooked! Having started the sport rather late in life, it has been the kind patience of the Dirt Divas that has allowed me to overcome fears and build skills I never thought I'd be willing to learn. There never was any pressure, just encouragement and teaching to accomplish only what I wanted to. I now can enjoy opportunities to encourage other newbies in the club.

In my "real life" I am a nurse midwife, encouraging women in other kinds of life challenges. I also volunteer with a Women's Job Corps Ministry that encourages women in poverty as they seek to gain the job and life skills to become self-sufficient. The support I get from the Divas for my own challenges feeds my ability to help other women - even unrelated to cycling. Who would have thought mountain biking could have such a wide influence?

Melanie Smith
Webmaster
I began mountain biking in about 2003 when I was introduced to it by my boyfriend. I cried and begged him to please not make me ride my bike on that scary trail. There were roots and rocks and hills - Aaaaah! It does makes sense considering I never rode a bicycle until I was 12 years old. Well, I made it through and have been hooked ever since.

Thanks to the Dirt Divas I have found great teachers and even better friends. I have never had a hobby or been part of a group that I enjoyed so much. I currently own 3 bikes, a full-suspension geared, a hardtail single speed and a commuter bike. It's addictive!