Adventure Cycling Association

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Adventure Cycling Members,

I’m writing to share that my time with Adventure Cycling Association is coming to a close. When I first joined Adventure Cycling, it was the perfect blend of my passion for getting people outdoors and my professional expertise — and, of course, I loved the idea of having more time to ride my bike!

During a period of leadership transition, I stepped up because I believe in Adventure Cycling’s mission and the power of bringing people together, especially in times of change. Much like my time as an adventure racer, where navigation is key, my goal has been to help chart a steady course for the organization, adapting along the way.

Together, we’ve accomplished so much, including:

• Establishing the North Star Framework to guide our programs
• Developing a bold, new Strategic Plan
• Serving over 50,000 cyclists with our routes, discovery, and experiences programs
• Redesigning Adventure Cyclist magazine
• Hosting our first member event since the pandemic
• Launching new membership levels and a partnership with Ride with GPS
• Developing new outreach and educational programs, such as Adventure Ride

Leading Adventure Cycling has been an honor and an unforgettable journey. Nonprofit work is deeply rewarding, and it requires both dedication and heart. As I step away to focus on my family and rekindle my own adventures outdoors, I do so with confidence in Adventure Cycling’s future. The organization has a strong vision and an incredible team ready to build on this momentum.

I am deeply grateful for this experience and for the incredible community that makes Adventure Cycling so special. Thank you for your support, your passion, and your commitment to making cycling more accessible and adventurous for all.

See you on the trails,

Jen O’Dell

Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Members,

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to express our deepest gratitude for Jen’s exceptional and thoughtful leadership. Under her, Adventure Cycling has achieved significant milestones that are key to it’s future, including new membership tiers, streamlining of important organizational systems, and creating a strong program theory framework to support the organization’s goal of helping more people get out on bicycle adventures.

We recognize this represents one more change during a period of several transitions. The Board has been working closely with Jen to ensure a smooth hand-off, and we’re confident that the depth of expertise among our Board and staff will enable us to continue with our 2025 plans and 50th anniversary planning while thoughtfully assessing what leadership qualities the organization needs for its next chapter.

We anticipate the search process for a new Executive Director will take approximately 3-6 months. During this period, I’m pleased to announce that Nicki Bailey, VP of People and Operations, will serve as Interim Executive Director, ensuring continuity in our operations. Nicki has been closely involved in Adventure Cycling’s management and strategic initiatives, making her well positioned to support us through this transition.

Board Member Elizabeth Kiker will chair the Executive Director search committee. Plans are already underway to form the committee, develop a comprehensive job description and timeline, and collaborate with staff to gather perspectives on cultural and managerial needs for our next leader.

We’re committed to keeping you informed throughout this process and will provide regular updates in our monthly member newsletter and quarterly board emails.

As part of our regular governance process, the Board has undergone an officer transition during our February meeting. I’m honored to share our 2025 Board Officers:

• John McDermott – Chair
• Audrey Snyder Welsh – Co-Chair
• Noel Kegel – Treasurer
• M.E. Price – Secretary

I’m thrilled to stay on the Board’s Executive Committee and believe that John’s experience in working with organizations and strategic planning, along with his passion for getting more people on bicycling adventures, will be an asset to Adventure Cycling and the Board of Directors as we work on this leadership transition.

We’ve also begun recruiting new board members to bring fresh perspectives to our leadership team.

Thank you for your continued support of Adventure Cycling, both through your membership and by considering a donation today. The passion and dedication of our members are what make this organization special, and we’re excited to embark on this next chapter together.

Ride on,

ME Price