Stephanie Vesper Memorial Barn Swallow Fund

02/06/2022

We are beyond THRILLED to announce our entire line up of Women Crush Weekends for 2022!

These FTW inclusive group rides and events are geared specifically for women in the Ohio MTB community. Our main focus for WCW is connecting women throughout the state and make riding more accessible for us all. By partnering with other Ohio MTB organizations and industry leaders that share our vision, we're bringing you a full calendar.

"Stoked" doesn't even begin to describe our level of enthusiasm for this initiative.

A special thanks goes out to our partners & group ride hosts for making this possible: Trek Bicycle Columbus Dublin Vultures K**b Mike's Bike Park MVMBA - Miami Valley Mountain Bike Association Rivers Bend Lady Gnar Shredders Roll: Bicycle Co Appalachia Outdoor Adventures AOA Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association Horns Hill Bike Park

02/02/2022

A kick ass athlete, talking about the things people don't like to talk about. Love it!

12/11/2021

Barn Swallows being awesome!

Last weekend, Brianna and Izzy both got on the podiums in Ohio State CX Championships, with Brianna earning the title!

This weekend, Dahlia and Sam are off to Chicago to race in CX Nationals. Go get em!

11/14/2021

2021 was a bit of a roller coaster ride for Dahlia. In the middle of a strong MTB campaign she broke the frame on her bike. Thankfully, I was able to loan her Stephanie's bike as the Ohio Mountain Bike League season began. Then she was hit with COVID.

But she never let it all get her down and she just competed when she could, and always gave her all.

Well, it's been a bit of a hunt in the COVID bike era. But Dahlia was finally able to leverage her winning of the Barn Swallow Fund into a sick new ride! Can't wait to see her crushing souls next season on this sweet steed in her Cincinnati East Side Composite colors!

10/03/2021

Sorry that I’m behind on this post, I’ve been taking some time away from social media in an effort to better my mental health.

Last weekend, at the Ohio Mountain Bike League race at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, I had the distinct privilege of awarding the checks to our Barn Swallow fund candidates. What a great day! Watching each of these amazing athletes compete on a challenging course, and exhibit the qualities that made them worthy recipients of an award in memory of Stephanie Vesper was so inspiring.

Congratulations! And thanks for the inspiration, Dahlia, Kaylyn, Samantha and Josie!

(Not pictured is Anna Masters, who was opting for her baptism this particular Sunday.)

Northern Kentucky Composite Mountain Bike Team
Cincinnati East Side Composite

09/05/2021

It's been two years, but we've finally got a new recipient for the Barn Swallow Fund.

Revealing this years recipient, along with a surprise twist at the end.

09/05/2021

The video announcement of this years winner has been recorded. And there's a surprise twist at the end.

I will release it tomorrow. Spread the word.

08/31/2021

After the Essays were scored, we ended up with a three way tie. So, it's time to bring out the big guns.

Stephanie's mom will be reading the essays and providing scores that will (hopefully) break the tie.

Expect a final announcement very soon!

08/27/2021

Essays have been collected and sent to friends of Stephanie to be read and ranked.

Since I know so many of the athletes, I like to take myself out of the equation and let her friends who knew her well consider it from Steph's point of view.

We'll be able to announce this year's winner next week!

Cincinnati East Side Composite
Northern Kentucky Composite Mountain Bike Team

08/11/2021

Just a reminder, the deadline is this Saturday.

All Cincinnati East Side Composite female athletes that submit an essay and register for at least 2 of the Ohio Mountain Bike League races will get their jersey paid for, as well as one of their race entries reimbursed.

Once that process is completed, all remaining funds will be awarded to the winner of the essay contest. This portion is open to all Ohio/Northern Kentucky junior female athletes racing in either cyclocross or mountain biking. The funds can be used for anything related to their cycling career and in any cycling discipline. Race fees, travel, parts, coaching, etc.

The deadline for essays is August 14th. They can be sent to [email protected]

Here's the theme for this year's essay:

I met Stephanie on a bike ride. We became teammates and then found our lives intertwined in a way that neither of us could have expected. But it's also how I lost her. So my relationship with bikes is complicated. Despite all of that, the connections I continue to make on bikes, and the act of biking as a metaphor for continuing to move forward is a huge part of my healing process. So. . .

Write about your own relationship with bikes. What are the hard parts, what are the great parts, and what is better about your life because of bikes? How do you think that your experiences with bikes will help you to be a better person?

Responses will be judged by friends and family of Stephanie so that the judging can be impartial. Essay length? As long as it needs to be, no more, no less. Say what you have to say.
We can't wait to read your thoughts!!

Lionhearts Junior Racing
Cincinnati East Side Composite
Northern Kentucky Composite Mountain Bike Team

07/30/2021

This is why we do this.

07/30/2021

Ok, we're closing in on finishing the fundraising portion of the process.

Now it's essay time!

All Cincinnati East Side Composite female athletes that submit an essay and register for at least 2 of the Ohio Mountain Bike League races will get their jersey paid for, as well as one of their race entries reimbursed.

Once that process is completed, all remaining funds will be awarded to the winner of the essay contest. This portion is open to all Ohio/Northern Kentucky junior female athletes racing in either cyclocross or mountain biking. The funds can be used for anything related to their cycling career and in any cycling discipline. Race fees, travel, parts, coaching, etc.

The deadline for essays is August 14th. They can be sent to [email protected]

Here's the theme for this year's essay:

I met Stephanie on a bike ride. We became teammates and then found our lives intertwined in a way that neither of us could have expected. But it's also how I lost her. So my relationship with bikes is complicated. Despite all of that, the connections I continue to make on bikes, and the act of biking as a metaphor for continuing to move forward is a huge part of my healing process. So. . .

Write about your own relationship with bikes. What are the hard parts, what are the great parts, and what is better about your life because of bikes? How do you think that your experiences with bikes will help you to be a better person?

Responses will be judged by friends and family of Stephanie so that the judging can be impartial. Essay length? As long as it needs to be, no more, no less. Say what you have to say.

We can't wait to read your thoughts!!