ESANNIJKE WADE
After a life-changing injury sidelined her mountain bike career, Annijke Wade, co-founder of DirtBound, never lost her passion for cycling. Discover her inspiring journey of returning to the sport, fueled by community and the joy of riding.
Living as a Black person is central to how I move through the world every day. Cycling is the space where I show up, advocate, and connect with my community. It’s a safe space and a container in which I use my privileges and identities to bring others into the fold. What began as a way for me to explore the outdoors has evolved into something far greater.
I've been recreating outdoors for a long time. I started hiking solo at around 18 or 19, and when I picked up mountain biking, it became both a way to explore my local environment and maintain a work-life balance. But early on, as I researched the sport, something clicked. I began to see other Black people represented in cycling. It was the first time I saw someone like me in the same sport I loved and in outdoor recreation spaces. It felt empowering to see myself represented in ways I hadn't before.
Throughout my adult life, cycling has served many purposes—from being a mode of transportation to an adventure rig during my college summers. Now, when I ride, I experience a sense of zen and peace. A simple 7-mile ride allows me to completely decompress and melt away the stress of the day. Being in nature on my bike rejuvenates me and brings me joy.
One of the things that draws me to cycling now, beyond being outdoors on the trails, is the opportunity to connect with my community. Through cycling, I’ve discovered a side of myself that wants to advocate for others. I want people who look like me to have access to nature, joy, and community—the same opportunities I’ve had.
When I first began my advocacy journey in the cycling space, I was fortunate to meet others who looked like me. It can be isolating to feel like you’re the only one, especially when you don’t see anyone who represents you. Without those early connections, I might not have had the confidence to walk this path, speak up, or advocate for the things I needed. But over the years, my confidence has grown. I’ve become surer of myself, not just in advocacy, but in all aspects of life. Cycling has given me access to a community of people all seeking the same thing—a place to be, to find joy, and to support one another.
As a Black person with a disability, I am acutely aware of the barriers and systems that make it challenging to show up in the world. Biking is liberation. Biking is community. Biking is meditation. It’s how I exist in the world, how I take care of my mental health, and how I clear my mind during uncertain times.
My dream is for everyone to experience the outdoors in a way that makes them feel whole. I want the sense of liberation I feel on my bike to be passed down to future generations. It’s my hope that others will find their own authentic way to connect with their communities. For me, cycling and showing up on the trails is how I find joy and how I show up for the people around me.