Our Mission
Slow Spokes provides resources, community, and experiences for trans, non-binary, gender-expansive, and women riders of all abilities to have safe, confident, barrier-free fun bikepacking in the Missoula area.
Our Intention
Slow Spokes was started by a group of women and non-binary pals who love adventuring outside, but have long experienced gender-based discrimination in outdoor recreation spaces.
In light of our similar experiences, we set out to create a space for those who share a desire to escape and deconstruct the sexism and misogyny in bikepacking, and to create something more inclusive, positive, fun, and beautiful in its place.
For Slow Spokes to facilitate mission-driven spaces, it’s important that our events are by and for trans, nonbinary, gender-expansive folks, and women.
To keep our spaces protected, Slow Spokes events are NOT for people who identify as men (unless otherwise stated).
Our events are not a space for ANY people who perpetuate sexist, ableist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or any other identity-based microaggressions or aggressions.
Meet our Organizers!
Slow Spokes is run entirely on volunteer efforts. We donate our time and passion to further the Slow Spokes mission. Our four organizers work without hierarchy and are democratic in our decision-making and leadership.
Anna Baize (she/her)
Anna grew up in the great cornfields of Indiana, where regular bike trip included a trip to the nearest Dunkin Donuts. After moving around the West, Anna settled in Missoula, and since has found an incredible love for biking, bikepacking, and bike people! When she first got into the bike world, she had a difficult time finding a group where she could learn at her own pace about cycling, so she’s excited to help create a community for everyone to learn together!
Ally Mabry (she/her)
Ally’s been traveling by bike for fun, transportation, and work for a long time! Bike travel makes her feel free and strong and connected to people and place. Her favorite bike trips are the ones where silly things go wrong and unexpected things force creative solutions — and when the trip is planned around what delicious food she and her friends will eat.
Mik (they/she)
Mik is newer to bikepacking but SOOO stoked to be learning alongside Slow Spokes and growing this lil crew of passionate awesome people! After working at Free Cycles for a couple years, Mik is now the Executive Director of Soil Cycle and hopes to use all the things they’ve learned out in the bike world to help create the most fun, exciting, inclusive community that smashes the barriers we’ve all faced in the biking/camping/general outdoor world.
Meredith (she/her)
Meredith moved to Missoula a few years ago and has been enjoying getting outside with pals ever since. Most of her biking experience has been bike commuting and she’s so excited to expand with Slow Spokes! Aside from biking, Meredith loves crafting, running, reading, and farming!
