Aziza Ali

Aziza Ali became passionate about road biking in 2013 when she started working at SeaWorld in Orlando and their team did a 40-mile charity ride every year. She shares, “Since then I’ve bought two road bikes, shipped one to Hawaii when I moved there, and enjoyed my clip in pedals!” She likes “being outdoors and getting to know my city better and more intimately than I could in a car,” and one of her goals for the future is to “live off of a bike trail so I can make [riding] a more routine part of my lifestyle.”

Aziza has called Napa home for three years, and she is a member of several Black Girls Do Bike clubs across the country. She says, “It’s important to me that my community of Black women have access and information to make their cycling routines come to life. I host a group ride the second Saturday of every month, and I love to grab a friend or a brother and do a triathlon or charity ride somewhere around the US.”

Those who join her group rides speak glowingly of Aziza and the way she encourages them. One rider commented, “She tirelessly advocates for women of color to come out to Napa with their bikes and ride the city’s excellent infrastructure. Aziza supports new riders in helping them better understand their bikes by showing them how to change gears, helping with tire changes on rides, and giving lessons on how to use clip-less bike pedals. Without her consistency and dedication, our chapter of Black Girls Do Bike wouldn’t be half as active or successful as it is.”

Another rider and one of her nominators noted her “positive, uplifting energy” and that she is “inclusive in her leadership style and always smiling!”

Yet another commented, “[Aziza’s] commitment to encouraging women of color to ride is wonderful. Our rides are always enjoyable and filled with laughter, fun and food! Even though we are a small group, it is the consistency that helps to encourage us to show up and ride!”

What advice would Aziza give someone who is new to biking? “Join a group to build some community and get to know the trails in your area! It’s so much fun AND safe as you learn the etiquette, rules of the road, and gears.”

Trevor Hall

When Trevor Hall is not busy serving as a peace officer in neighboring Marin County, he dedicates his time to riding and encouraging others to ride. Trevor is a coach for the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team, where he helps his own daughters, along with area youth, learn to ride off-road and improve their cycling skills and confidence. He notes, “Coaching my children and getting [youth] involved in cycling is something that I hope will pay them positive dividends in the many years to come.”

In support of youth riding, Trevor also serves as the cycling team’s Advocacy Lead, and this past year he spent much of his personal time advocating for increased access to beginner off-road riding. He recognized that Napa needed an approachable, beginner trail system where youth could learn, so he reached out to the Napa County Bicycle Coalition and ignited what became a year-long process of meeting with elected officials, identifying the scope of a pilot program, and marshaling support for the change. As a result of this sustained effort to which his commitment never wavered, City Council unanimously voted to expand bike access at a beginner-friendly open space through a pilot program. He also saw it as a youth development opportunity and engaged youth on the team to speak at council meetings. Of the pilot, which opened on April 15, Trevor says, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for youth and will provide them a location that is close and accessible, where they can learn cycling skills and improve their health.”

One of Trevor’s Bike Champion nominators commented, “He’s making a lasting difference in the community. His commitment to coaching not only demonstrates his passion for cycling but also his desire to mentor and empower young cyclists.”

Trevor deeply values the benefits of riding. “Cycling is a rewarding experience that has changed my life in many ways, all that are positive. I have a stressful job as a peace officer, so it is crucially important that I take advantage of opportunities to improve both my mental and physical health.” He recognizes what cycling can do for others, too. He notes, “I truly believe people are healthier when they spend time outdoors and away from negative influences in their life, such as social media, television, and other screen time type activity. Getting outside and enjoying the peace and quiet that parks can provide has tremendous benefit.”