Mountain biking is about more than just conquering trails—it’s about pushing boundaries and discovering new strengths. For Megan Childress, this philosophy drives both her personal rides and her role as a coach to young cyclists.
From her first ride to coaching a local youth cycling team, Megan has embraced the sport’s challenges and joys. She inspires the next generation of cyclists to push limits and break barriers.
With ROAD iD as an essential part of her journey, Megan rides with peace of mind, allowing her to focus on empowering others and conquering every trail.
Can you share a little about your background and how you got started with biking and teaching?
My husband initially came into mountain biking while I was more of a runner. Eventually through him I found a great community of amazing people in the biking community that drew me in and I immediately fell in love with the sport. Once I found out a local NICA team was forming, having children of my own that would ride, I immediately jumped on the opportunity to coach local youth mountain bikers.
What is it like to teach a high school cycling team, and how has that experience changed your perspective on the sport?
Coaching with NICA has not really changed my perspective on the sport but definitely brought a new level of joy in the sport. Getting to share the joy with the younger generation which is the future of biking! When I first started riding I was very focused on racing mountain bikes and podiums, getting to work with these kids really reminded me that the love of biking is more than a spot on a podium. It’s the joy of exploring the world around us on 2 wheels, it’s accomplishing something that you questioned whether you could or not, it’s the community and connection of sharing the joy of biking with others. It has also highlighted the importance of supporting female youth cyclist in hopes to grown cycling to not be a male dominated sport and doing my part to enable that.
Can you describe a memorable moment or success story from one of your students?
One of the things that really stand out isn’t a specific student but the group as a whole.
The first season my daughter was on the team we had a great group of middle school girls but after the season ended we looked back and saw there were a pretty large amount of races our girls didn’t finish, they were all for many different reasons but realizing that hit pretty hard. The following season all of our middle school girls ended the season finishing all of their races. We all felt so proud to see the growth in these young ladies and how it reflected on how they felt.
What’s your favorite trail or terrain to ride on, and what makes it stand out to you?
I really like technical trails—the more creeks, rocks and roots the better. It’s always a great feeling to ride a difficult feature that you have been struggling with for a while. It’s a perfect mix of physically challenging and mentally challenging.
What’s one thing you wish every mountain biker knew before hitting the trail?
Have fun and enjoy the ride, even the tough ones!
What are some common mistakes you’ve noticed new cyclists make when getting into the sport?
SHIFT! It sounds so simple but it took me some time to really get down when to shift and how it can really work to your advantage.
Also you're not supposed to wear underwear with bike shorts!
What’s your go-to piece of gear or equipment that you can’t ride without?
I really try to keep it simple as it is so easy to overload! Bike, helmet, and Road ID.
How do you handle tough or technical trails, and what’s your mindset going into them?
I used to think I had to ride everything and I was a failure if I didn’t ride difficult sections.
I learned to get comfortable walking sections I don’t feel comfortable riding and not think twice about it.
When I focus on my own riding instead of comparing what other people are doing it makes such a better experience.
But on the other hand sometimes get out of your comfort zone a little, test your limits a little.
Riding with other experienced riders and watching their lines can teach you a lot.
Get out with a group of people and session sections.
What are you currently training for, and how are you preparing for it?
It’s early in the year so I have not yet signed up for any races but I ride and run year round even if I’m not training.
We have a pretty great local mountain bike scene in Cincinnati. From the lowkey time trials to 6 hours endurance events.
I always like to be ready to throw down at a local event!
Tell us about your gnarliest crash.
I’m very fortunate that in all the years of biking I’ve had plenty of wrecks and gone over my bars a fair share. I haven’t had any really bad wrecks. Probably the most memorable one was wrecking in a partnered 6 hour race and wrecking my bike 3 miles from the start. I completely destroyed my derailleur and had no clue how to work on bikes. I shouldered the bike and jogged back to the start. I was lucky enough to have a friend let me borrow a bike to get my race lap in, it was my first time riding a single speed rigid mountain bike, that was quite an experience!
Why do you think it’s important for mountain bikers to wear an ID?
Mountain bikers can end up in some beautiful but remote areas.
Especially when you ride by yourself, even at our local trails, if something were to happen, it could be hours or even longer until someone might find you, so having that fast information available to make a huge difference in getting the medical attention you need as fast as possible.
Have you ever been in a situation, or do you know of one, where wearing an ID proved to be critical?
I have had several close calls riding out on the roads by myself that it would have been really important to have that identifier to get immediate medical attention.
I have had a few wrecks on trails as well that I was glad I had my Road ID on. I remember when I first started riding I had a lot of fears and hesitations going out on my own to ride. Having my Road ID bracelet and the live tracking Road ID app allowed me to explore and ride without the worry of no one knowing if something happened during my rides.
Which Road ID do you wear?
I still have my original pink band Road ID my husband got me for Christmas the year we started biking over 10 years ago!
How do you recommend beginners build endurance and strength for mountain biking?
Move! I enjoy lifting and outdoor running as well as biking, just get out and move! The more you move the more natural it all becomes.
How important is mental preparation for mountain biking, and what do you do to get in the right mindset?
Mentally planning for what you are going to do is important. Some days it’s good to go do an easy trail that’s not too taxing on your mental energy. Other days taking on the tougher trails feels great but knowing what you are getting into ahead of time allows for a better ride but know that it’s okay when your ride doesn’t go as planned.
What do you find most rewarding about being a mountain biking instructor?
Sharing my passion for biking is always rewarding and helping other bikers achieve their goals and a great feeling.
Megan’s journey through mountain biking shows the power of pushing limits and embracing challenges. From inspiring young riders to taking on new obstacles, she continues to foster a love for biking in her community. Her story shows that cycling isn’t just physical endurance—it’s about mental strength, joy and connection. With her Road ID as an essential part of her gear, Megan rides with peace of mind, knowing that safety is always a priority. As Megan continues to challenge herself and mentor young cyclists, we’re reminded of the importance of embracing every ride, and riding safely with peace of mind.
