Non-Binary/Gender Expansive Program
Meet our Non-Binary/Gender Expansive Program Leader, Bethel Steele
Bethel ('B') Steele (they/them or he/him) is a gravel, mountain biking, and a bike packing connoisseur. B has been a champion for non-binary and gender expansive race categories in cycling events, working with those events to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, because everyone should have, and know that they have, a place in cycling. B and his partner Lauren lead the group "Queer + Bikes", a space that uplifts queer community on (and off) bikes.
If you have questions for B you can reach out at bethelsteele@gmail.com
FoCo Fondo offers a non-binary/gender expansive category in addition to men's and women's categories, complete with equal prize purse on the 118-mile Quadruple Dog Dare You Route. For 2025, this includes a separate start at 6:06am, a $5000 prize purse 10-deep, and live coverage.
All route lengths will receive podium recognition for each racing category. The non-binary and gender expansive initiative is an effort to welcome and support non-binary and trans riders at the FoCo Fondo. Part of this initiative includes a LGBTQ+ meetup before the Saturday shakeout ride and a non-binary/gender expansive cookout on the evening before race day.
Our Non-Binary and Gender Expansive Scholarship application is closed for 2025. Athletes will be notified at the beginning of March regarding their application with additional support as requested to follow. In addition to entry to any distance of the FoCo Fondo, we will be hosting monthly community and educational calls*** with optional access to our 12- or 8-week Source Endurance training plan!
Additional support you can apply for includes:
Housing at CSU dorms or local, bikeable Airbnb
Childcare grant
Hitch-A-Ride Carpool Gas Card or Airport Shuttle (our program does not currently offer additional travel support at this time).
***If you are a non-binary & gender-expansive rider and want to have access to the monthly educational calls, please reach out to B at bethelsteel@gmail.com. While some of the calls are specific to our scholarship recipients, many will also be open to members of underrepresented genders regardless of your participation in the FoCo Fondo. As part of the mission of the Friends of FoCo Fondo, these educational calls are part of our efforts to reduce barriers to entry and to help support gender-expansive riders grow as athletes. We know that the creation of space for gender expansive athletes is just the beginning of the journey to creating a thriving field of competitive riders, and creating community and sharing knowledge is a big part of that.
FoCo Fondo offers three gendered categories: men, women, and non-binary/gender expansive, which are pulled from your BikeReg profile gender selection.
We believe that all people deserve a place in sport. In addition to men's and women's categories, we have a non-binary and gender expansive category for any individuals who do not conform to the gender binary of men/women. This category has the same acknowledgement and awards as the overall men's and women's categories (but no age group awards at this time). We welcome transgender riders who wish to compete in the men's or women's category who have been in the care of a doctor undergoing HRT for at least two years. Transgender riders are welcome to ride in the category that most aligns with their gender, regardless of this framework, if they are not competing for a podium position. For transgender riders who wish to ride competitively, but do not meet the above framework for the men's/women's categories, we invite you to compete in the non-binary and gender expansive category. While this is not a perfect framework, we are doing what we can to make the FoCo Fondo a welcoming, fun, and safe place for all riders. Equal prize purses and acknowledgement across all three categories at FoCo Fondo is provided so that no matter what you can compete for absolute podium glory if that's your jam. We’re so happy you are here.
Your gender category will be imported from your BikeReg Account information. If you would like to compete in a different category than your gender marker in BikeReg, please email Whitney at whitney@bikesportsco.com ahead of event day so we can make that edit for race day with the timing company. If you would like to participate in the Fondo, but have concerns about safety relative to your registration and gender category in public spaces, feel free to contact the non-binary and gender expansive leader and/or the event directors so that we can figure out a solution together so that you can enjoy the event.
