Bloom Where You’re Planted : Celebrating a decade of growth

I can hardly believe it : 2025 marks 10 YEARS of Boneshaker Adventures' transformative mountain bike programs!

Spring is here in western Colorado and desert wildflowers are popping up all over the plateau. Grey-brown desert ridgelines are dotted with patches of soft pink sego lilies, towers of bright red claret cup, and sunny orbes of globe mallow; A delicate mozaic of color against the starkness of the desert.  It is my favorite time of year. 

Spring always causes me to ponder the seemingly impossible challenge for wildflowers to even exist in such a harsh environment. In a barren landscape, their roots must push down deep into the earth to seek nourishment and stability. Delicate, resilient, and beautiful, they are constantly adapting to survive in such severe living conditions.

This year, I'm reflecting on the parallels between the desert wildflower bloom and Boneshaker Adventures' growth throughout the past decade. From the tiny seed of an impossible dream to a dynamic program serving hundreds each year, it has managed to flourish.

Over the years, I have adapted to overcome many obstacles that arise when building a business from the ground up. I have always known my life purpose is serving others as a teacher and mentor, but entrepreneurship hasn't necessarily come easily to me. I've persevered through professional challenges : permitting, licensing, staffing, van repairs, injuries, cactus encounters, even operating through a global pandemic, and personal ones like a traumatic divorce, multiple moves, and two major surgeries thanks to a devastating injury and cancer. I have made many mistakes and continue to learn. I certainly understand why over half of all businesses fail within the first five years. 

I am also deeply moved by the beauty that blooms from overcoming obstacles. Boneshaker Adventures has positively impacted thousands of lives and continues thriving. Programs empower riders of all ages to build resilience on and off the bike. Children develop confidence and a profound connection to the outdoors through summer and after-school programs. The high school mentorship program empowers adolescents with the tools to become confident, compassionate leaders. Growth-focused adult instruction and retreats support self-transformation in a supportive environment. I strive to build meaningful programs and build relationships with authenticity and integrity. Each year, the community continues to blossom into something far more powerful and special than I could have imagined when I planted that seed many years ago

Thank you, Boneshaker community, for 10 dynamic, challenging, and beautiful years! It is truly an honor to bloom in this nurturing environment and I can't wait to see what we grow together in the next 10 years!