03/01/2026
We’re thrilled to shout from the trails: Local legend Claire Zamberlan is the lucky winner of the MMTA Wheels for Work and Play free mountain bike! 🎉🚵♀️
Get ready for some serious smiles because this win is extra special. Claire’s awesome nomination comes straight from Sarah Doerner, who watched her incredible journey unfold in the Little Bellas riding group:
“Claire was in my Little Bellas riding group and she had never ridden a mountain bike on trails. She really didn’t have much experience riding in her neighborhood either. At first, she was using a mountain bike that she borrowed from a family member which was too large for her, making it very difficult to safely ride. She then was able to obtain a loaner bike of appropriate size from Little Bellas to use for the remainder of the program. At the end of the 8-week program, however, she was very sad to return it because that meant she couldn’t continue riding on her own for fun. Claire is returning this year to participate in the Hurricane Little Bellas program and will need an appropriate-sized mountain bike in order to safely participate. After the eight-week program is finished, however, she would strongly benefit from being able to keep her bike this year so that she can continue to ride in order to build confidence, skill, and the love of riding bikes.
Claire started our riding group very wobbly, but excited to learn. She had a fearless and confident nature about her and a consistent smile on her face, being outside with the other girls, playing games on bikes, learning how to navigate gravel, dirt trails, and even bridges. She often wanted to lead the group ride, and was never afraid to try new skills. The growth that she demonstrated from day one to the end of the program was amazing and so rewarding to witness. I would like to see nothing more than for Claire to be able to continue to ride her very own mountain bike anytime she wants, as it brought her such happiness and she was genuinely excited to ride.”
How cool is that?! From wobbly first pedals to leading the pack with a huge grin! Claire’s story is pure inspiration because we also found out that Clair had been diligently saving all her birthday and Christmas gift money to buy her own bike-and we felt like that kind of thing needs a little reward! Now with her very own perfect-fit bike, the adventures are just getting started. Trails await, confidence will soar, and the fun? It’s going to be endless! 🏞️💨
Big congrats, Claire—you’re going to rip it up! 🌟
Big hugs to Wheelbilly Bikes for once again assisting MMTA in matching the perfect bike to our winner!
Huge THANKS and LOVE to our sponsors who made this happen:
Horizon Financial
Lusher Trucking Co. Inc.
Putnam Chamber of Commerce
GHOSH Engineers
Stephen & Carie Gavin
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
If you want to know more about the Hurricane Little Bella’s-check this out:
Open to girls ages 7-13. All riding abilities welcome. Financial & gear assistance is available. Register today & plan for sunny, warm days ahead. ☀️🚲☀️🚲☀️🚲☀️🚲
https://littlebellas.configio.com/pd/1191/wv-hurricane-weekly-ages-7-13?cid=2483&pg=2&returncom=productlist&source=search
