11/03/2023
Good Morning Dirt Side Sisters and DFW Community,
Before our last ride tomorrow, I just wanted to send a note of gratitude and express my appreciation toward this entire community that has supported my vision for DSS over the past ten years. It has been a long and difficult journey to get where we are now. But through the challenges, it has brought an immense amount of joy, created relationships that may have never been, and I think taught us all that women don't have to be their own worst enemies. When our hearts are right, and the focus is not on you, but on helping the person next to you, we all win...TOGETHER! This pretty much goes for all things in life, and this is what DSS has ALWAYS been about; open arms, zero judgement, and it's not about me, but about you mindset.
To build a leadership team that supports this culture was the biggest mountain to climb, and we did it! Women are strong, smart, and caring. It's powerful to be in a group like this where we lift each other up, allow each individual to shine as their unique self, and know you will walk away from every ride with so much love and encouragement from the "Way to go's!" "Woohoo's!" and "Great job's!" maybe sprinkled with some tough love in between. :)
With this being said, it is my team of Support Crew that has laid the foundation and made DSS possible for so many years. Most of them are still with us, and some helped pave the path along the way. I want to acknowledge and thank each and every one of them for the hours upon hours and YEARS (plural) that many have invested and sacrificed for one sole purpose, to get more women riding! Every unique person has contributed something great. I may have taught them lessons, but they DEFINITELY taught me lessons! Arriving early, leaving late, phone calls and messages to recap EVERY SINGLE RIDE, meetings to organize, meetings to innovate, meetings to teach others how to teach...the list goes on and on.
Thank you all for dealing with my type A personality, for answering my thousands of Voxer messages, for contributing your ideas, and for making DSS the amazing family that it is! I love each and every one of you.
I want to thank my most supportive husband and the idea behind it all. He is a feminist to the T and believes in our mission more than you will know. Carlos knows every single members name, gets the full ride recap when I get home (or early in the morning when I get in late), and sacrifices just as much as everyone else involved, even out of the spotlight. Without him DSS would have never existed, and without his support I would not have been able to pour my heart and soul into this passion project for the past ten years.
To our members, without you who would we grace all of our knowledge upon? Haha, totally kidding. You truly are the the fuel to our fire, our "why," and reason for doing what we do. You're the caterpillar that we have the privilege of witnessing right in front of us, transforming into this beautiful butterfly! I know it is not easy for everyone to walk up to a large group...of women...who may be all dressed alike :) but you did it! It's not always easy to be the beginner, but you embraced it! Thank you for taking that leap of faith, for stepping out of your comfort zone. Thank you for trusting us with our guidance.
Now it is time to fly!!!
For those that are able to make it tomorrow to our last ride, please make sure to give our Support Crew a big hug and show them your appreciation for everything they do! Let's enjoy every moment of our day together along with the gorgeous weather. I've been praying for the weather to be in our favor since we set this date and it looks like those prayers will be answered! We hope you will join us for post ride food and drinks at Jakes Burgers. They are already expecting us and will have the outdoor area ready. This is not the patio, but the area with picnic tables on the lawn. There will be a limited menu for our group, but they are allowing us to eat out in the yard where they normally do not allow eating. It is right around the corner from the trail!
If you cannot make it tomorrow, we will be at the Bicycle Swap Meet this Sunday, November 5th at the Denton Fair Grounds from 12-5pm. It is a buy, sell, trade for bicycles, bicycle parts, and bike related items. The event is free of charge and there will be a bike rodeo for the kiddos. Swing by the DSS tent to say hi and pickup some merchandise for 60% off while it lasts!
I am so grateful for the experiences, the memories, and the friends that I have gained over these past ten years. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been a part of this journey!
Remember in life to be BOLD, be BRAVE, and be YOU!
I'll see you on the dirt side!
All the best,
Lisa Uranga
Co-Founder & Executive Director
