Little Bellas puts girls on path to friendship and strength

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW) – Once a week, Little Bellas hit the trails in Augusta. Each push and pull of the pedal puts girls on a path to empowerment.

“I’m learning to be more confident in myself and to enjoy nature more,” said Anna Randle.

Randle joined Little Bellas two years ago. The nonprofit has chapters nationwide. They teach girls ages 7 to 13 how to mountain bike.

“The mission is to get more girls on bikes, doing fun things and keeping it really positive,” Amber Simon, Little Bellas program lead, explained.

The girls’ enthusiasm at practice is electric. They ride through obstacles, play games, and use their bikes to build community.

“I think that middle school is really hard. You know, it’s hard to make friends at that age, but then, just having like a silly environment where there’s no pressure. That’s really what it fosters is community, you know, girlhood,” Simon said.

The program kicks joy into a new gear.

“It’s just a blast to hang out with the mentors. You’re having a fun time exploring new things, learning to be brave, all that fun stuff,” Alice Shafer, rider, said.

“All the girls make hilarious jokes, and it just makes your day much better,” Ava Simon, rider, said.

Each ride makes a chain reaction of fun and friendship.

Little Bellas will close its season at the end of September. If you’d like to volunteer for next year, click here .

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