2021 was quite a ride. Initially I planned this year to focus on what I could do for others. The universe had other plans and it also ended up being a year of making my own dreams come true. I am so proud of everything I was able to accomplish this year both on and off the bike. I couldn’t have done it without help. This year in review is not just a celebration of me and my accomplishments, but a celebration of so many things we were able to accomplish as a community. Special thanks to Devin Cowens for helping make my random thoughts into an organized reality, Liv Racing World Team for giving me a shot at being the Europro I’ve always dreamed of becoming, to longtime partners Liv Cycling, Zwift, and SRAM for being incredibly supportive during a time where everyone was already stretched thin, to Spot, Bikeflights, Mendi, CTS, Ford, Diaspora Kitchen, The Black Foxes, AQBF patrons, and of course to all of you who support in whatever ways you can. I hope you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane, and continue to work with us at A Quick Brown Fox to create opportunities and celebrate Black and Brown folks in cycling and the outdoors.

-Ayesha Rosena Anna McGowan

This year for Do Better Together we introduced the DBT App. It was an exciting new frontier for community building that led to unique experiences for all who participated. The DBT app provided a range of activities and classes including but not limited to, Dance Hall, Cooking, Strength Training, and DBT on Zwift.

We danced, we laughed, we shared our joys and our struggles and lifted each other up while we aimed to reach our goals! A few of us even won some fantastic prizes! All and all, Do Better Together 2021 was a success.

Ayesha knocked off another major milestone in her career when she signed with Liv Racing World Team as a trainee. Part of this agreement included the attendance of team camp in March. For a week she was able to train with the world team in the Tuscany region of Italy. It was an eye opening experience that set her up for the success that would follow.

2021 was a development year for Ayesha as a trainee on the Liv Racing World tour Team, competing in the Ardeche Stage Race in August and 3 other races in October. 

For 2022, Ayesha will be joining the Liv Racing Xstra WT as a full time racer!

After years of sadness and turmoil, the death of George Floyd brought the United States to a boiling point manifesting in the release of years of grief and frustration across the nation. Ayesha wanted to find the light in all the darkness, thus, Thee Abundance Summit.

For two days the cycling and outdoor community convened virtually to celebrate the joyful experiences of being a person of color in outdoor spaces. Attendees learned how to photograph the homies, prioritize self care, and authentically share BIPOC stories. The community heard from the OGs and the youth for a great introspective of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. We learned how to choose our first bike, rode together on Zwift and received sage advice from Ayesha’s Grandma, Sarah.

We learned how to embrace the pain that comes with it all from a moving keynote from the Brown Bike Girl, Courtney Williams. After it was all said and done, we danced it out with DJ Black Daria at the afterparty. The event was free, but we were able to raise over $4000 in voluntary donations to fund Thee Abundance Mini Grant Program.

9 Women of color received free entry and support to race the Tour of America's Dairyland. This grant provided a pathway for inspiration, experience, and upgrade points for Black and Brown women who are amateur or beginner road racers.

The grant covered race entries, travel, accommodations, and riders were provided with a food stipend, on the ground race support, transportation to and from races during the race week, and equipment assistance if necessary.

More AQBF press can be found HERE