FLASHPOINT MVMNT RIDING STRONG INTO 2022

Photos by Dain Zaffke | 02.14.22

Flashpoint MVMNT is back for 2022! In 2021, we set out to create the changes we wanted to see in cycling. We are proud of the movement we started, and we are eager to keep the momentum going into 2022. We are four riders with four different backgrounds sharing one common goal: break down barriers to change the image of cycling and welcome new people into the sport.

We’re excited to welcome Rachel Parker to the team, along with returning members Kathy Pruitt, Nehemiah Brown, and Amanda Schaper. We recently got together for our first team ride of the year and had such a blast chasing each other on some of the best trails and gravel roads Santa Cruz has to offer. Judging by our shared stoke on this day, 2022 is going to be a fun and exciting year!

Keep riding to meet the 2022 Flashpoint MVMNT squad and learn more about individual goals and plans for 2022...

We are proud to welcome Rachel Parker as the newest member of Flashpoint MVMNT. Rachel found a love for road racing and criteriums, and she’s bringing her passion for competition onto the dirt as well. She has lofty goals for 2022 as she sets her sights on a long and successful cycling career, and she looks forward to building diversity in cycling. Here’s what she’s excited about in 2022:

“It’s my first full season bike racing and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working so hard on, from skills to explosive power. My goals are to develop my commitment to being a student of the sport of cycling, keep moving up in categories on the road, and to continue finding balance in the lifestyle that comes with racing multiple disciplines. I’ll be going hard in local NorCal races, traveling to stage races to pick up more knowledge around team tactics, and applying my endurance to score some results in gravel with Flashpoint MVMNT! 

As a new racer, I’m always stoked to share the love of riding with others and hope to usher more minorities into racing bikes. Catch me exploring the body/land connection deeper than ever before and praising all the beauty that we get to witness along the way! I can’t wait to see what blossoms in 2022!”

-RACHEL

Kathy Pruitt is all about showing that being a little silly actually makes you faster. She kept a positive attitude throughout 2021, even though she was dealing with some tough injuries. Here’s a report at what she’s looking forward to in 2022: 

“This is a whole new year and it feels like I’m entering it with a healthier mindset and a more prepared body. The gravel bikes will again be a fun, challenging part of my year while tackling races and big adventure days as well as the Lifetime GP. 

I’m happy to say that I’ll be spending more time on dirt and on a mountain bike this year. I’ll be lining up to race some cross country events and hope to find even more to love about bikes learning to bike pack and tackle new trails with suspension! 

Be on the lookout for me on my Grizl, Grail, and Lux throughout the year and follow along with me on Strava and Instagram to see how it’s all going.”

-KATHY

Nehemiah Brown always rides with a purpose. He’s goal oriented and uses his bike to achieve so much more than just going on a ride. With his first child coming soon, he’s looking forward to shifting priorities while always keeping focus on his personal goals. Here’s what he hopes to accomplish this year: 

“I have two significant goals that I am focusing on this year. The first goal is to prioritize my self-care by finding time to ride bikes as I transition into fatherhood. My second goal is to help create a scholarship program so people who look like me can gain entry into gravel events.

I’m thrilled to continue as a member of Flashpoint MVMNT, and my mission is to help create opportunities for inclusion and grassroots activism. 2022 is going to be a year of progress.”

-NEHEMIAH

Amanda Schaper has a big year ahead as she’s pregnant with her first child! She is excited about adding a new adventure to her family while keeping up with riding and other projects that are important to her. Here’s everything she’s looking forward to this year:

“What a year 2022 will be! At 16 weeks pregnant, I’m grateful that I’ve been feeling good and able to continue riding my bike. I hope to keep riding throughout my entire pregnancy as long as my body will safely allow it. I am so inspired by women like Laura Cameron King and Sonya Looney who have shown that you can continue being an athlete as you become a mother. That is something that has always intimidated me about motherhood, and it gives me so much confidence seeing other women stay true to who they are as athletes as they become a mom. I hope to be that same inspiration for other women in the cycling community. 

In addition to making a baby, I’m also continuing my role as Event Director for Grinduro California. We are constantly working to make this event as inclusive as possible. This year, we added new Para-Cycling categories, saved 50% of the registration spots for Women and Open Gender categories, and dedicated 25 sponsored entries to people from under-represented communities. It’s so important that I’m able to use my position in the bike industry to make the cycling community more welcoming and inclusive to everybody. 

As if that’s not enough, I recently earned a Professional Certificate in Landscape Design and am currently training to become a UC Certified Master Gardener. I launched my new landscape design business called Sunburst Living and am proud to already be working with some great clients. Spending time outside on my bikes inspires my designs, and I enjoy bringing my love of the outdoors into people’s yards.  

Between bikes, babies, races, and landscape design, it’ll be a busy and fulfilling 2022! I’m proud to be riding with the Flashpoint MVMNT squad again this year and look forward to connecting with my bike family at rides and events throughout 2022.”

-AMANDA

Our partners make the movement possible, and we are proud to continue having the support of Giro Cycling, Canyon Bikes, SRAM, Zipp, RockShox, and Wilderness Trail Bikes. 

We look forward to seeing you at rides, races, and events this year. Please be sure to say hi! Also, please follow along with @flashpointmvmnt on Instagram to keep up with our latest, rides, races, stories, and adventures.