Updated by Eryn Hughes: December 07, 2012
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - PITTSBURGH CHAPTER
Pictured L-R: Greta Daniels, Eryn Hughes, Alicia Mathers, Lucia M Aguirre
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
About the Founder: Eryn Hughes founded the volunteer-based organization in 2004 as Cinderella Dirt. She remains President of the organization and Executive Director of the Pittsburgh chapter to facilitate democratic decisions and meetings. The original organization was named after a trail in Joaquin Miller Park, and consisted of a handful of women wanting to mountain bike and race together in Oakland, CA. Eryn’s personal interest in cycling includes the pursuit of new adventures: environmental education with mountain biking, social research with urban and cyclo-touring, and occasional competitiveness trying new types of racing (cx, xc, dh, super d, triathlon, adventure racing, criteriums, alley cats). Having never driven a car, her ambition with the organization was to provide a foundation for her mode of transportation and recreational lifestyle to become a lifelong learning opportunity for herself and others. Her training as a racer and coach are shadowed by her experience as everyday bike commuter, often traveling 20-30 miles each way to get to work. She has a rather eccentric fashion and often takes a unique approach to put fun into events to ensure they are memorable.
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Alicia Mathers joins us as Visual Communications Director. Alicia was introduced to Velomuse during Bike Pittsburgh’s Bike Fest weeklong celebration where local bad-asses Karen Brooks and Elizabeth Klevenshave hosted a women’s mtb 101 class for a few years. The last couple of years, Velomuse has been fortunate to help facilitate additional coaching and promotions. Alicia asked us, the coaches, what she was supposed to do next, if she wanted to keep riding with women, and we decided to start a weekly ride co-led by another very enthusiastic participant, Michelle Johnson. Since then, numerous women’s rides have cropped up around the region, and she has become a knowledgeable ride leader and racer, often being the voice of reason. She’s also a Doctor in dermatology and Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh and a talented landscape photographer in her free time.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Lucia M. Aguirre is taking the role of Education and Outreach Coordinator. She partnered up with Velomuse for the first time during a kids’ mountain bike rodeo. Lucia used her experience as volunteer ride leader/marshal for rides and ghost bikes installations. She also proved to be clutch in the bike building and transportation department. She is quick to see value in entertainment and is engaging with new riders. By daylight, she is an Architect for Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, visionary 3-D artist, everyday bike commuter – and I swear she nevers sleeps!
FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR
Greta Daniels is our new Fund-raising and Events Director. Greta makes it feel like home everywhere. Whether that be during a race while she’s hosting a rest-stop, rallying support to develop women’s fields at races, or providing logistical support for mountain bike organizations – you can’t deny her spirit. She works as Alumni Relations Director at Sewickly Academy, just bought her first house, and has innovative ideas for women-specific events. You just have to wait, but know that you’ll be blown away.
MEETINGS
Our Board meetings are in Executive Session until the Spring, when we will be coordinating a working committee with representatives from various mountain bike, trails and general cycling interests organizations. Our agenda page will show you what we’re working on for the time being and even while we are in executive session, you can send any of our Board members questions or requests or information for us to include in our meeting. This organization is about mountain biking, you represent us and we represent you.
Written by Eryn Hughes, Founder and Executive Director.
Feel free to email Eryn with any public relations or website requests.
