Beyond the Ride: Annijke Wade

Editor’s Note:

Beyond the Ride is our love letter to the people who make mountain biking better. This isn’t a series reserved for sponsored athletes or the folks in power at bike brands (although we’re excited to cover those too). Instead, it’s an open invitation: Do you know someone who’s working to make mountain biking better? Nominate them here. We want to highlight the local ripper, the policy wonk who works with land agencies, the mechanic who saved your race, and the organizer who put it on. This is for the advocates, the storytellers, the builders, and the coaches.

Annijke Wade has an intersectional approach to cycling that focuses on community and inclusion. She’s helped the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) create adaptive instructor programming, is on the Board of All Bikes Welcome, a nonprofit dedicated to building more racial equity and gender diversity in cycling, and founded DirtBound, a para off-road cycling initiative that aims to empower, develop and support para off-road cyclists.

But maybe more importantly, Annijke is someone who centers her cycling around joy. She’s always there with a smile and a word of encouragement, whether mentoring someone through a tough spot on a trail or creating space for someone feeling a little out of their element at a bike fest. “Yeah, she’s my bike hero,” says one such rider.

And that is why Annijke is an obvious choice for a feature in our Beyond the Ride series!

Name, age, current place of residence?

Annijke, 39, Monterey California

What do you do (specifically related to mountain biking)?

I’m a para off road cyclist that rides adaptive mountain bikes! In 2021, I sustained a spinal cord injury in a downhill mountain bike accident that left me paralyzed. I’m passionate about making the outdoors and mountain biking a safe space for all. I advocate for BIPOC and para / adaptive athlete inclusion. I serve on the board of All Bikes Welcome, lead workshops on adaptive athlete inclusion, and try to bring stoke to newer riders and beginners! For me it doesn’t matter what you ride or how you ride it’s just about getting outside.

What’s been the bike-related highlight of your year?

Sea Otter Classic was an absolute success this year for me. I helped co-organize two activations with SRAM with some friends and colleagues. We hosted a community ride from the venue and then a BIPOC and Community Meet’n’Greet. The turn out was incredible. The best part was I met new people. Seeing my vision come to life and really have an impact on our community was the most incredible moment. Bikes are community and that was really felt!

If you could leave any impact on mountain biking, what would you like to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for helping foster inclusive communities. It’s so important to me to see people that look like me out on the trails and having a good time.

What, outside of mountain biking, makes you excited?

PASTA. All types of pasta! I really love cooking and find a lot of inspiration on PastaGram.

What are your goals for the next year? (They can be anything from race results, to injury recovery, to just trying to ride your bike more.)

My goal this year is to cultivate and foster joy! I spent the last two years after my accident in learning and survival mode. Sure, I had a lot of fun and learned a lot off the bike, but this year I want to get back to just pure joy on the bike. Biking is my safe space, it’s my solace; I want to experience more joy in the outdoors while shredding in amazing places. This year is all about having fun, belly laughs on the trail, meditative single track, joyful skill progression and building and fostering community that’s centered around joy!

What’s the most exciting trend in mountain biking you’re seeing right now (and how can we help foster it)?

The building of adaptive trails or including adaptive riders into the trail building process. It’s so cool to see more trails pop up that have adaptive riders in mind. It’d be great to see more highlights on adaptive athletes and the trails they ride.

What’s the worst trend you’re seeing right now (and how would you fix it)?

People *still* hating on e-bikes. First of all, that’s so 2019, and secondly, e-bikes are fun and totally valid. Look, anything to get more people outside in nature and on trails is great.

What’s your trail of choice right now (and why?)

I love technical downhill because I love the puzzle of picking a line and going for it. And also picking a challenging trail and having to session the features and piecing them together. Tech all day!

What other question do you wish we’d asked?

“What do you want for the future of mountain biking?” I'd love to see more inclusion all around. I really want mountain biking to be the most inclusive outdoor sport.

Any sponsors, friends, or family you’d like to thank?

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Bowhead, UnTapped, Ergon, Chamois Buttr, Velocio, mom and Pondo!