Our Mission
photo credit: Snowy Mountain Photography
Stamina Racing Collective is a FTW (femme/trans/women) cycling team based in Minneapolis, MN that is working to diversify the sport of cycling through mentorship, improved accessibility, and community development.
why we’re here
photo credit: Snowy Mountain Photography
Approximately 15% of licensed racers in USA Cycling are those in women’s fields.
Even fewer riders identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC), with estimates ranging from 8%-10% across all BIPOC groups.
Three of the major factors that decrease the participation of cyclists in women’s fields include inequitable opportunities, a lack of social/emotional support from others, and barriers to accessibility.
three tiered approach
Mentorship: Mentorship and support are needed to recruit and retain FTWs in cycling. FTW (Femme/Trans/Women) and BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) riders often experience acts of exclusion, feelings of isolation, and a lack of community. We intentionally built a roster to center BIPOC, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ voices and experiences and to provide the support needed to help them thrive and appreciate the beauty of the sport.
Accessibility: Start-up and racing expenses create financial stress — particularly for FTW and BIPOC riders. We welcome conversations and potential partnerships with companies that value diversity, understand barriers to accessibility in cycling, and are committed to working towards racial, gender and class equity. We will also be accepting donations to support our riders with start-up and racing costs.
Community Development: It is also important to address inequitable opportunities within cycling by collaborating with Local Associations, promoters, & the cycling industry. Equal prize pools, equitable field decisions, and suitable products can go a long way to show FTW and BIPOC riders they belong. SRC will provide resources, community education, and consultation to help the community and the cycling industry make decisions that elevate the women’s peloton.
initial focus
We compete in road, cyclocross, gravel, and/or mountain bike events throughout the Midwest
We volunteer in the community (e.g., Free Bikes 4 Kids, Little Bellas, serve on the Local Association board).
We consult with race promoters to help support women, gender diverse riders, and BIPOC communities in cycling
We work actively to initiate and engage in constructive conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion
We support one another on and off the course to promote personal and professional growth
We believe Black lives matter, queer lives matter, and trans lives matter
To improve accessibility, we prioritize sponsorship money to support BIPOC & queer athletes, as well as single parents and college students, to assist with start-up costs, travel, and race registration expenses
Haema, Stamina Racing Collective team member
We offer guest riding opportunities to novice cyclists who want to try racing with a team before making a formal commitment to racing with a team for a season
We limit our sponsors to those who are clearly working to diversify the sport of cycling