Happy Thanksgiving - Gratitude Notes from our Juniors

We wish you a wonderful holiday season!

“I have so much to be thankful for this year. The Autumn signals the end of the race season and gives me pause to reflect on the incredible year. The bright colors of the changing leaves followed by the starkness of the winter landscape presents a clean canvas to create the team goals and culture for the year ahead.

2023 I felt my mojo coming back, an incredible new title sponsor - Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Virginia Tourism Corporation which translated into new opportunities, new friends, and a new community, I enjoyed working with a team of inspiring, driven athletes and honored by the loyalty of longtime industry partners. Our junior squad grew to 29 young girls this year to compliment our professional team of six riders and a growing Zwift eSports team.

There are many people involved in elevating and supporting the team and I am so grateful that they are all inspired to support women and girls from high school to high performance.

Thanks for reading and please enjoy gratitude notes from our junior squad. “– Nicola

"I am thankful for the bike trails around me. Riding my bike outside is very important to me and having great roads and trails to ride on makes riding my bike so much more enjoyable!" - Teagan Burrow

"I am thankful for the community of cycling that have pushed me to be a better rider, and I’ve learned so much from friends and teammates. I am also so thankful for the sponsors that allow me to achieve my dreams, and I wouldn’t be here without them." Sarah Vargas

"Working with the juniors this past year has brought a lot of joy and purpose to my life. It is extremely rewarding to see them succeed both on and off the bike! I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to play a small role in their journey." - Coach and Junior Team Manager, Kaitie Keough

"2022 brought me many obstacles, questions, challenges, and without a doubt; fun! From crashing to experiencing back problems, to testing for low iron, it’s been a challenge trying to not question what I was doing wrong. The support system I have is like no other. I must first give my thanks to God for mentally keeping me strong enough to reflect on my year, and to better myself for 2023! I’m super thankful for my parents and team for sticking beside me through all of the obstacles that were thrown my way.

I’m especially thankful for my coach [Sue Hefler] for being a person I’m able to talk to and feel understood. Our bond has grown exponentially since I’ve been working with her! I’m always grateful for my sponsors; making things happen that I dreamt of as a 9-year-old! I’m thankful for the tons of individuals that have believed in me since I was 7, and the ones I’ve just met just months ago! There’s a lot for me to be thankful for, and this statement from me is just a portion of what I am all thankful for." - Maize Wimbush

"I’m thankful for the strong community we’ve built in our team. I’m thankful that when i’m down, I can just send my teammates a text and they will cheer me up.” - Katie Smock

"we are really grateful for the support of our family when it comes to bike racing. We love cycling and competing so much and couldn't do it without them! We are so thankful for the team of amazing girls that we get to call our friends." - Aine and Eire Chen

“It is hard to believe, but this coming season will be my last time riding as a junior cyclist. Looking back the years, it is only filled with gratitude to the people who helped guide, support and teach me. I would like to thank my family first for always being my number one supporters. It is not easy to take care of a growing athlete, but they have gone above and beyond to help me through some rough times. Another thank you goes to VBR Twenty24 for supporting my cycling journey throughout the years and creating a space for like-minded young women to come together. There are so many other people I would like to thank right now, however it looks like I am running out of space. But, I would like to share that everyone who has made an impact in my journey will always have a special place in my heart. Happy Thanksgiving! “ Thank you, Homare Yamashita

"This thanksgiving I am thankful for my teammates who always show so much support. I am also thankful for my Felt bike that’s taken me many new places. Lastly, I’m thankful for this year and the opportunities I got to travel and race my bike." Amelia Hicks

"I am beyond Thankful for my amazing teammates and coaches. Even though we are spread throughout the country-when we are together we are one powerful cohesive team. My teammates and coaches are the most kind, fierce and extraordinary women! I am so blessed to represent Team Twenty24." - Dahlia Kissel

"I am thankful for the opportunity to race my bike around the world. I am thankful for my mom for being my biggest supporter who always wants the best for me❤️ " - Samantha Scott

"I am thankful for many things. But I am most thankful for my family, nature, and my bike." Myla Spoon

"This fall season I’m thankful for the stunning fall we’ve had this year, the great weather for some great cyclocross and all the nice sunsets on my solo rides." Mahika Peterson

"I am thankful for my family. They provide me with all the resources I need to do what I love and they are always supporting me in my endeavors. They mean the world to me and I am very thankful to have them in my life. - Makala Jaramillo

"We are thankful for our amazing and supportive parents. They have helped and cheered us on since we were 3 at our first kids race. We are thankful for healthy bodies and being able to race our bikes with our friends/teammates. Thank you" - Ragan and Lauren Weigel

"This year I was thankful for being healthy, after two broke arms , I appreciated my body very much 🙏 And the most important for me in all the world 🌎: "Thanks for my family , without them I can't do anything ❤️" - Ana Regina Morales 

A few things I’m thankful for are my bike (of course), my strong, encouraging teammates, my friends and family, food, and my cool and unique sport. - Lexi Steirwalt

"This thanksgiving I am grateful for good health and my family! " - Veronica Scott

Join us TODAY on our

Zwift Community Ride!

Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Road to Paris 2024

Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 are now in our 18th year of operation developing high-performance athletes and the next generation of competitive cyclists. Success in aligning student-athletes with college scholarships through cycling. Support of the multi-discipline athlete. Adaptive, dynamic, versatile, resilient, and committed to growing diversity in the landscape of women’s cycling. Our weekly Zwift group ride is in its 3rd year and is led by Ultra-cyclist Amanda Coker. 

We would love for you to join us on this good vibe, fun social ride!

7:00am MDT / 9:00am EST / 2:00pm CET

Join here: Virginia's Blue Ridge Weekly Zwift Ride!

Gratitude to our 2024 Partners

Virginia's Blue Ridge, Virginia is for Mountain Lovers, Zwift, FELT Bicycles, Zipp, SRAM, Quarq, Violich Farms, Berglund Automotive, American National Bank, Carilion Hospital, Wild Health, Domestique Foundation, Roanoke College, Le Col, Kenda Tire, Oakley, Speedplay, KASK helmets, PACE Ranch, Wahoo, Velo Saddles, Training Peaks, Arundel Cages, Camelbak, Access, The Roanoke Times, KX3 Sports, DZ Chamois Cream, Hyperice, Park Tool, Seasucker Racks, Sock Guy, McNeil Roofing, Karen Malkin Health, NormaTec, Access PR, USA Cycling Foundation, Victory Circle Graphix, Cardinal Bicycle, Bauer Haus, KX3 Lifestyle and Coaching, The HEMI Gravel Race, Barbara Kreisle Photography, Roanoke Gas.