Valley Report - June 2024

Written By Mike Ripley

Intro

Hi Y’all! Quick refresher, we are Color The Valley a Queer, BIPOC & Women-Owned outdoor guiding company based in Burlington, Vermont. We specialize in bikepacking, backpacking, and hiking trips with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and Queer communities. This all started as an idea between two friends who wanted to see change in the outdoors both in terms of those who participate but also in those who engage in entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 1% of outdoor entrepreneurs are folks of color? 

Philly Bike Expo Recap

We had an amazing time at the Philly Bike Expo both in terms of networking but also seeing all of the amazing work that is being done by various organizations across the industry both small and large. It was important for us to talk with folks that were attendees who all told us that what we were doing was important and wanted to get involved or know how they could help.

Everyone we met was wonderful but we want to specifically highlight the following people:

BTS (Behind the scenes) at Color The Valley

The part you all haven’t seen is how we’ve been applying for grants, connecting with different organizations to create partnerships and continuing to build relationships across different communities. We are doing all of this on top of our regular jobs (one of us has recently started a new full time job)! Starting a business / organization takes time, money, labor and everything else that we’ve left out.

It’s important for us to share that we firmly believe in what we are doing with Color The Valley but it does require a full time commitment from the both of us to do it in the way we want. As of right now, we are not able to do this full time while feeling financially secure. This is why we have been doing everything we can to change that. From applying for grants or trying to secure funding sources. This is all done in an effort to make it possible to do full time and feel financially stable. We know it won’t happen overnight and are here for the journey. We are just full of ideas and want to start turning them into a reality! 

What comes next?

We say all of this to provide transparency and share what’s been happening. Plus we want to give you an update about our plans for the rest of the year! Here is our current plan for what we hope to do from now until the end of 2024.


Bikepacking trips that are starting in June and running through the end of October.

Community happenings:

  • Bikepacking Roots Beginners Community Campout - June 14-16 - Sign up here

  • Richmond Mountain Trails Grand Opening - June 16

  • Intro to Bikepacking Clinics

    • One open to all

    • One that is BIPOC specific

  • Group Bike rides (Current working themes)

    • BIPOC specific ride at least once a month

    • Single Speed Sundays (not required but highly recommended)

    • BRB (Be Right Back) Rides

      • Enter the bike time bubble

      • Bikees, swimees, creemees

    Outdoor Gear Library

    • We applied for a grant through Bikepacking Roots and waiting to hear back!🤞

Our picks

Now that we have all the serious stuff out of the way, let’s talk about what is making us happy.

Izzy:

I’ve really been enjoying the Normal Gossip podcast! I would recommend you start with the foraging episode and/or the Bunco episode to jump in. Looking at Blue Lug bike builds has me dreaming about future bike dreams. I’ve also been listening to a few different audiobooks like To Shake the Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins and Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.

Mike:

For those that don’t know, I’m a big Women’s sports fan and particularly Soccer and Basketball. The US Women’s National Team just wrapped up a series against the Republic of Korea where Lily Yohannes scored her first international goal ten minutes into her debut. The US has two more friendlies before the Paris Olympics start at the end of July. Outside of sports, I recently watched I Saw the TV Glow by Jane Schoenbrun. Incredible movie and I can’t stop thinking about it. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 90s Nickelodeon shows like The Adventures of Pete & Pete or Are You Afraid of the Dark?, then I highly recommend.

Special shout-out from the both of us to Justin Oliver for opening Silver Birch Cycles. For those that don’t know Justin, he has been living in the Adirondacks for over 20 years and recently opened up his own shop. We are glad to call him a friend and community partner. Go give him a follow on Instagram and show him some love!

Thanks for reading!

This is brought to you with love and care from Izzy Johnson and Mike Ripley. Make sure to subscribe below so you don't miss out on the Valley Report.
Mike Ripley
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Valley Report - July 2024