Greetings! My name is Diana Allen. I am based out of Maryland, I race enduro and am a certified mountain bike coach. 

After 12 years of classroom teaching, I quit my day job as a high school science teacher and pursued my passion for working on and around bikes. My message to people that aren’t happy with their career choice: Don’t be afraid to make big changes and start over to improve your quality of life and find joy through your work. Life is too short to hate what you do for a living.

 Doughnuts or bagels? Bagels, no question. Savory > sweet. A nice chewy Jalapeno Cheese bagel, toasted with some butter. Mmmm.

Favorite mountain/trail? It’s a tie between Mountain to Meadow in Big Sky, Montana and Brian Head Peak down to Bunker Creek Trail in Utah. Both are long, epic downhills with absolutely breathtaking views.

Biggest “send it” moment—on the mountain or in life?

My biggest send has been my career transition out of classroom teaching. I left my job as a high school science teacher to become a bike mechanic, a move that felt risky, but was driven by a desire to learn a trade and follow my passion. Teaching gave me the tools to guide and communicate; the bike shop taught me precision and problem-solving. Those skills now come together in my role as a bike instructor and coach education developer. What looked like a detour turned out to be a necessary redirection.

I couldn’t see the landing when I launched. I had to trust the process and adapt midair. Some days, it still feels like I haven’t landed. But instead of focusing on what’s broken, I stay locked in on where I’m going. I visualize the landing, adjust as I go, and give myself grace. This path may be uncharted, but I didn’t take it lightly. And I intend to land with purpose.

Who’s someone that has inspired you to get after it in the mountains?

Lindsey Richter of Ladies AllRide. I met her several years ago as a volunteer at one of her mountain bike camps. I watched Lindsey empower women by providing transformative, confidence building experiences in a supportive environment. I loved the idea of using mountain bikes as a tool to strengthen people and build community. This inspired me to do the same. Her mentorship and my position at NICA allow me to do this impactful work with kids and their families at the national level.

What’s one piece of gear you swear by?

First: I hate being cold! The Danner Fleece is a staple in my wardrobe. You will never find it hanging in my closet because I am ALWAYS wearing it.

Second: OVERALLS. When I’m working on bikes I need functional clothes. I bend and kneel over a lot. I need pockets. I can’t be tugging on things to stay up or down all the time with grease all over my hands. And they HAVE to be durable. Both the Elorie technical and Eeva short overalls check all the boxes. Plus they look super cute and fit my curvy body well.

How do you encourage more women to step into outdoor spaces?

Connecting with the outdoors is so good for mental and physical well-being. For me, it is not only therapy, but preventative health care. Using my 5 senses to experience nature distracts me from my troubling thoughts and relaxes my mind and body. It helps me stay grounded and focused on the things I can control while giving me the opportunity to learn how to operate in an environment with an abundance of factors that I cannot control. Playing outside reminds me that there is an entire world happening beyond my arm’s reach and I am in charge of the way I move through it.

Why Wild Rye?

Empowerment starts with using our privilege, no matter what form that takes, to help those in need. Wild Rye is for women, by women, led by women who support women. I love that. It is more than a brand or company. It is a thriving team of folks that live out the absolute need for women to support other women in order to experience success together.

Keep up with Diana: @dianimal_mtb