JESS CERRA
Words & Images by Dominique Powers
Jess Cerra pulls her silver Subaru Outback up to the terminal of the Kalispell airport and I hop in. I’m here in Whitefish, Montana to document one of her Women’s Gravel Clinics, and to create portraits of local leaders and volunteers that help make her gravel race, Last Best Ride, as special as it is. Jess has noticed a shift in the culture of Whitefish towards gravel curiosity, and at the same time that there aren’t a lot of women getting together and riding. She is aiming to change that.
It was easy to say yes to Jess when she reached out asking if I could come take photos in her community- when people are deeply invested in what they do, and are doing it for the right reasons, it shines through. As a photographer I aim to tell stories that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve, and women-led empowerment and instruction around cycling is up there on the list!
This corner of Montana is an awe inspiring place- where the mountains rise steeply from the valley, the low hanging clouds, and the lush greenery everywhere I turn tells me this is a place for adventures.
After a couple days of exploring on mountain bikes and preparing for the clinic, the weekend is upon us and eleven local, eager, and enthusiastic women show up to learn. We spend the first afternoon hiding from the rain learning from Sarah White, who is a long-time local and mechanical aficionado, about everything from how to pump up a tire, to how to clean and prep a bike, to specific tools that are needed for bike repair and maintenance. The second day doesn’t show clearer skies until the afternoon and we spend the day going over skills, learning about nutrition, and finishing with a gravel ride sweeping through the forest on singletrack. By the end of the ride everyone’s faces are muddy but smiling and the enthusiasm for the sport is palpable.
On the way to the airport the next day I ask Jess- what was your favorite part of hosting the clinic? She responded- “The amount of confidence women left with is amazing. Sometimes as an instructor you wonder if you’re doing a good job of being a good teacher- sometimes if you’re good at something you’re not always a good teacher. Having the knowledge and information about a subject and feeling the confidence to perform within it is something that is so important to me. When I get on the bike it is the most confident that I feel in any aspect of my life, and I think that is really cool to share that with other women.”
This story is one part of a series by Dominique Powers called Community. Dominique is a renowned photographer in the cycling industry who has a special ability to capture personalities in her stunning portraits. She is based in Los Angeles and connects to her community through the bike. We invited Dominque to introduce us to interesting people she meets during her rides in Los Angeles and travels to gravel events. Community captures people who are living the same ethos as Flashpoint MVMNT: staying positive and having fun while making the bike community more welcoming and inclusive to everybody. We look forward to meeting the people she introduces us to through Community.