“Because of The Cycle Effect, I am gritty.”
Meet Eva who started riding with The Cycle Effect at 11 years old. And now, she is completing her first semester at Harvard where she is taking pre-med and pre-law classes.
Back in 2018, Eva joined The Cycle Effect looking for a new sport. She had never heard of mountain biking. She simply liked riding her bike home from school and was curious about meeting new friends.
She had no idea that the trails ahead would teach her far more than how to ride a bike. She would later reflect on her time in The Cycle Effect and say confidently, because of this program, “I can love myself through good and bad, and be confident in who I am. I can push myself even when I’m in a state of deep physical discomfort.”
A week after a scary crash on her bike, Eva returned to June Creek. At a small rock garden she had ridden hundreds of times, she froze. For the first time, she felt afraid.
Her coach, Bri, stopped beside her. She listened, gave Eva space to feel what she was feeling, and offered a choice: ride the rocks with support or skip them for now.
There was no pressure. Coach Bri just listened and let Eva decide what was right for her. Eva chose to try the rocks again and with her coach spotting her, she made it through.
That moment became a turning point. Eva discovered that fear was natural and she could face it head on.
Eva said, “through the encouragement from Coach Bri, I learned, it doesn’t matter how often we fall, but what we do afterwards.”
“A moment I am most proud of is skidding across the finish line at a bike race in dead last place on a bike that wasn’t mine.”
At one race, Eva felt like she gauged her pace for the climb sustainably and managed to pass everyone in her category. Then, she felt the signs of a popped tire at the worst possible moment. She tried changing the tire as she had practiced many times but the tire wouldn’t budge. Rather than quit, she borrowed her coach's bike to finish the race even though everyone in her category was already finished.
“I remember the bike being too big and the seat too high, but I still chose to absolutely bomb it down the remaining stretch of the race to finish strong,” said Eva. “First, I am proud because it's a race where I remember controlling my pace. Second, I fought till the end to cross the finish line. Third, I adapted to a situation where everything was out of my control.”
Over the years, Eva developed the skills to climb steep trails, navigate technical terrain, fix a flat tire, and push her physical limits. But the most important changes weren't just physical.
Through the challenges of mountain biking, and the coaches who encouraged her, Eva learned to believe in herself, embrace challenges, practice perseverance, lead with presence and find strength in community.
She reflects on the mindset work she did with her coaches.
“‘If you want to be strong, you’ve got to work hard.’
In my 6th grade season, one of my coaches had all of us tape an inspirational motto, written on a piece of purple electrical tape, to encourage us when we felt like we couldn’t keep going. I wrote my motto with the intention of catching up with all of the older riders, but it’s really come to resonate with me in all seasons of life. Growth and development are uncomfortable, but if you want to be stronger, faster, full of stamina, and able to maintain a higher heart rate, you have to work hard. Nothing good comes from passive engagement and a lack of effort. Effort is everything, even if that effort initially lends itself to discomfort.”
Today, Eva is taking those lessons to Harvard University.
She credits The Cycle Effect with shaping how she approaches challenges, cares for herself, and navigates uncertainty. The program even inspired the personal statement she used in her college applications.
“I was told continuously not to write about sports and yet, wrote my college essay about The Cycle Effect…because The Cycle Effect is so much more than the actual mountain bike ride.”
Her biggest takeaway? Keep showing up. Growth isn't always immediate, and the path forward isn't always easy. But persistence, self-belief, and a community that supports you can change how you face what's ahead.