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. 

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 Triple Dog Dare You Route. 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 Entry program is back with 5 entries and housing support for riders. Scholarship Applications have closed for 2024. Athletes will be notified on or before March 15th regarding their application. 

Additional support you can apply for includes:

  • Housing at the CSU dorms or bikeable Airbnb

  • Childcare grant

  • Hitch-A-Ride Carpool Gas Card or Airport Shuttle

Transgender Inclusion Policy:

FoCo Fondo offers three gendered categories: men, women, and non-binary/gender expansive, which are pulled from your BikeReg profile gender selection.

We request that athletes who wish to compete for men's or women's podiums observe the framework for "Group A" athletes from the IOC/USA Cycling framework for national events. We do not require that athletes provide any information to IOC/USAC in order to qualify, instead we trust that you are able to determine your category based on your private conversations with your doctor. Those who are not competing for the podium (either overall or age-group) are welcome to race in the category that aligns with their gender irrelevant of the framework. Because racing categories will be filtered by gender provided by your BikeReg profile, if you would like to compete in a different category than your gender marker in BikeReg, please email Whitney at whitney@bikesportsco.com well ahead of event day so we can make that edit for race day with the timing company.

We value riders of all genders at FoCo Fondo and acknowledge that the gender framework presented by the IOC/USA Cycling is imperfect. We offer equal prize purses and acknowledgement across all three categories at FoCo Fondo so that no matter the category, you can compete for the same prizes and absolute podium glory. We’re so happy you are here.