BE GOOD FELLOWSHIPS

Alissa Schafer

So far, my daughter and I's endurance racing adventures have been limited to Florida. Cycling specifically has allowed me to find peace, growth, self-trust, and the confidence that can only be earned by overcoming challenges and learning new skills while/despite being surrounded by mostly men with bikes ten times the cost of mine. I’m committed to living a life that I am proud of, and RPI would be a part of that journey. I would be attending RPI for me, yes, to give myself the biggest endurance challenge yet, but I would also be doing it for my daughter. To show her that we can do big (and maybe slightly scary) things and that the world is full of other people who support us and do the big scary things too.

Deanna DeSon

Cycling has been a quiet theme in my life. It's what I do when I need to process heartbreak, figure out my identity, and figure out how to move forward, quite literally, when I just feel stuck. It started as weekend rides with my dad as a kid and evolved into something deeply personal. To me, biking isn't a race to win. It's a pace to feel strong, vulnerable, gritty, and free. To me, “be good” means showing up as you are, riding with heart, and leaving space for others to do the same. It’s not about performance; it’s about presence. It’s in the tiny moments: cheering on a stranger, sharing a snack at mile 80, or finding humor in the suffering. Cycling has empowered me not through medals, but by making failure survivable, growth tangible, and joy possible, even in those hardest miles.

Jessica Gonzalez

Biking has been a form of healing. It has helped me process grief, feel grounded, and remember that movement is a form of medicine. It has also been a vehicle for empowerment—literally and metaphorically. Whether I’m commuting through city streets or riding with other femmes and BIPOC folks in the hills of the Bay Area or LA, I feel strong, connected, and capable. Every ride is a reminder that I belong—in this world, in this body, and in this movement. To me, “Be Good” means living in a way that centers care—for ourselves, for others, and for the Earth. It’s about showing up with integrity, creating space for those who are often left out, and using whatever tools we have—whether it’s a bike, a voice, or a policy—to build a more just and loving world.

Kate Hwang

Adaptive sports gave me my new life, and after I started finding my balance in it it was cycling that has pushed me further. It challenges me physically and mentally while also providing a sense of freedom and control that can sometimes feel lost after a life-changing injury. It was here where I found that cycling was so much fun - addictive, and every ride you learned something more about yourself. Every ride is a reminder that I am capable, resilient, and still moving forward—literally and figuratively. For me, Be Good is more than just a phrase—it’s a way of living with purpose, integrity, and gratitude. It serves as a reminder to slow down, appreciate the moment, and recognize the people who support us.

Li King

Cycling has been an outlet for me in many ways. From giving me purpose to being a creative outlet for my fabrication journey. I grew up racing bikes and now build custom bicycle frames as well as racing on bikes I have made. “Be Good” to me means inclusivity for all. It means bicycles can be healing for the automotive driven world we live in, and anyone on a bicycle is a fantastic thing for the world and for us as individuals. Inclusivity is how we start healing the world and I think bicycles have a huge part to play in that.

Mick Donahue

Growing up around competitive sports, and then serving in the military, I always had a fresh challenge to spur me on and a team to lean on in tough times. Once removed from that environment, I struggled. Cycling then came into my life and served as a catalyst for building healthy habits. The cycling community rescued me and provided me a healthy outlet for dealing with stress, a community of supportive friends, and the confidence I needed to get back to being my true self. To me, “be good” signifies living life with empathy and altruism at the center. It’s a quality I witnessed in the cycling community when it was there to support me and it’s something we should all strive to uphold in.

Patti Erneste

As a kid, the bike meant freedom. After years away from it, I returned as an adult novice - not for speed, but for strength. Cycling has been a way to reconnect with myself, to rebuild confidence, and to move forward physically and mentally. As a former soldier and longtime high school math teacher, I’ve always focused on helping others grow. Cycling gave me a space to do that for myself. It’s reminded me that it’s never too late to start, and that progress comes one mile at a time. To me, Be Good means showing up - with integrity, humility, and purpose. It’s about doing the right thing when no one’s watching, lifting others up, and keeping perspective on what really matters. Whether in the classroom, on the bike, or in daily life, it’s a reminder to lead with heart and keep moving forward - with others in mind.

Sheila Mahadevan

Cycling (and yoga) helped me navigate the trauma of a multi-year abusive relationship that resulted in depression, self-doubt, and feelings of powerlessness, etc. Over the years, I have continued to grow closer to my bike and this has enabled me to grow closer to myself and form a positive relationship with myself. Additionally, I have always had the heart and mind of an activist (since I was a teenager) and in 2020, I started Melanin Base Miles to push for greater racial representation and racial justice in my local cycling community. This small organization now administers multiple annual community-based cycling programs (in gravel, MTB, and cyclocross), and has a gravel racing team of the same name.

Tavaghn Monts

Cycling gave me space to breathe when life felt heavy. It helped me process pain, push limits, and find joy in the small victories—like making it up that climb I used to dread. It’s where I found people who saw me, supported me, and reminded me of my own strength. To me, “be good” means showing up for others and for yourself—especially when it’s hard. It means doing the kind thing, the just thing, even when no one’s watching. It’s about riding with integrity, lifting others up, and remembering we’re all just out here trying our best—and that’s enough.

Wayne Francis

Cycling helped me through a difficult period in my life, and that personal transformation became the foundation of TWR. The ethos behind RPI and the Be Good Foundation deeply resonates. To me, “be good” means using the power of cycling to uplift others, create positive change, and leave every space better than I found it. It’s about generosity, encouragement, and making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of cycling. Whether it’s supporting a new rider, advocating for safer streets, or simply sharing a smile on the road.