Heath Wright – Advisory Board

Bio coming soon!

Emily Adamic – Program Coordinator

I’ve been a mountain bike rider in 2020, and found a sense of freedom and playfulness on the bike that I had been missing after my college soccer career. I moved to Tulsa and got involved in the amazing bike community, started riding freestyle bmx (my number one love), and started coaching with Bike Club over two years ago. After seeing the connectedness and growth over my time with our NICA team, I cannot wait to see the same mountain bike opportunities and sense of community expand to more students in our state!

Alongside Bike Club, I recently finished my PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Tulsa, coming from a background of sport science at Indiana University. I am so grateful to put my education to use with my job full-time at Bike Club, working for the mental and physical wellness of kids on bikes (and kids outside exploring nature)! I love my dogs, my Sunday adult soccer league, and sipping a latte with my dog on a sidewalk patio on a slow, sunny morning.

Vanessa Drummond – Social Media and Communications

Traveling with my husband and two children around the world for bike racing has given me the opportunity to see and learn a lot. We started racing mountain bikes 18 years ago. 10 years ago my family raced their first National Championship race, my son was 8 years old (race age 9 at the that time). We have since been traveling the country year after year as a family. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend these times with my family. I truly give cycling the credit for keeping my family close and providing all the memories we have made. Being a part of a program like NICA opens so many doors and teaches so many life-lessons to children.

Racing is not the only path for cyclist. Vanessa loves that she has the opportunity to be a part of the introduction of cyclist to young riders. The path they chose is up to them. Whether it be healthy living, transportation, competition, or mental health that they are focusing on… the world is always a better place on 2 wheels!

I am honored to be a part of Oklahoma NICA and to share the life-changing moments and memories the children will experience while in the program.

Bryan Runyan – Tulsa Operations

In 2019, I was introduced to Bike Club and began volunteering at Carver middle school helping start their initial cycling program. Then in 2021, I began assisting with coaching our students who were beginning to compete in XC racing through the Arkansas NICA series.

I am currently on the Tulsa Fire Department’s mountain bike response team and can often be found riding my mountain bike on Turkey Mountain and surrounding trails.

Charlotte Mindeman – GRiT Coordinator

I enjoy all styles of bikes but fell in love with MTB biking 8 years ago. I participate as a level 1 coach for the Bike Club NICA team and hold the GRiT coordinator position for our team. Teaching kids to ride is a passion, through Bike Club I also volunteer at a school site, and lead rides for the Tulsa Tough Diva Ride Program. As needed I fill in for the WEROK womens Mountain bike team as a ride leader.

More girls on bikes is my goal!

Steph Franklin – OK League Ninja

Steph’s love for kids as well as her passion and experience in the non-profit industry makes her a great fit for NICA Oklahoma. She has a heart for connecting with people and building new relationships! Steph is excited to support the NICA Oklahoma League and pour into the next generation of cyclists.

Boone Cowan – League Financial Manager

I picked up the addiction of mountain biking when I was in college and in some capacity or another, it has remained a passion for the last 19 years. I certainly hope my girls enjoy it as much as I do. I love the freedom it provides, the physical challenge and most of all the comradery it builds. A ride can take you far away and keep you close, all at the same time, it can challenge you like nothing else and can make you smile from ear to ear and the best part is, you can’t help but want to plan the next ride.

I think Oklahoma is a true treasure, the people are amazing, the places and adventures are unique, and the support of mountain biking in our communities is immense. I can’t express how excited I am to help develop an Oklahoma NICA league and share all that this great sport has to offer with the next generations.

Mitch franklin – League Co-Director

I still remember my first real mountain bike ride at Walker Ranch, the smell of the pine trees and the sound of crackling gravel under my tires. I was hooked from day one! Mountain biking has been a part of my life for over 25 years and is still my favorite way to experience the outdoors! My ideal ride is a 20+ mile epic ride far away from civilization, and with great views.

Within the last few years I realized I really want to share this hobby with others. I believe helping start a NICA league in Oklahoma is the best way I can give back to the sport.

Dave Weaver – League Co-Director

Riding in Tulsa, you know about Bike Club, so I started volunteering with Bike Club and running the Carver Middle School site in 2018.  A few years in, there was a clear distinction in some middle school riders, needing a better outlet and a different biking challenge.  From this desire, a mountain bike team developed, and we joined the Arkansas NICA league where we have competed for the past three years.

Watching students excel with their skills is a huge reward for me as a coach, and now I feel it is time to offer that experience to the rest of the students around our home state.