Patrick Howell

Owner/Head Coach

'Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike'- John F. Kennedy

Patrick has been enjoying that simple pleasure of riding a bike his entire life; from racing on BMX bikes in his youth, to mountain and road bike racing as an adult. As a certified professional mountain bike instructor (PMBIA Level 2) and a Level 2 USA Cycling Coach, Patrick now shares his passion with other cyclists of all skills and fitness levels.  

"For me creating and sharing a memorable riding experience is a day well spent in the saddle". Patrick can now be found instructing and guiding all over New England and the East Coast..…...and enjoying the simple pleasure of riding a bike.  

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 2 Certification (Level 3 in the near future)
• USA Cycling Level 2 Instructor 
• Wilderness First Aid certified
• Former Instructor Trainer and Head Coach at Ninja Mountain Bike Performance.
• Former head instructor at KC&E
  

Jason Ashby

Regional Manager-NH/MA

Lead Coach

Jason started riding at the age of 5 on a twist shift Schwinn. Self taught and self motivated he began racing BMX at the age of 9 and did so with great success for several years. Dirt jumping was the next adventure and began an obsession building jumps wherever possible to try and progress. Mountain biking became more enticing years later as the dirt jumps were torn down for developments. Jumping everything he could on his hardtail mountain bike he learned the hard way with many crashes that earned him the nickname Crashby. The nickname has stuck to this day. The passion for mountain biking only grows as the time goes on. Working with many riders on his local rides and helping his kids progress has become a new challenge that he really enjoys. Looking to spread the love for bikes and community as much as possible. Chee Hoo!

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification (Level 2 near future)
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Meridith McFarland

Head Coach/Instructor Trainer

I have coordinated several successful Women’s Beginner Bike Clinics at the Vermont Mountain Bike Festival through the SheJumps organization.   In 2017, I was on two bike discussion panels for the New England Mountain Bike Women’s Summit. I have coached at the Liv Ladies Allride at Kingdom trails since 2018. I currently help operate the Mad River Rippers youth program, actively working with Ninja Mountain Bike, coach for Grit Clinic, and most recently employed by Killington Resort as a downhill coach. 

One highlight of my career is bringing mountain bike clinics to all ages and abilities to my community. The success of our local 5-12 graders placing 3rd in the Vermont Youth Cycling Race series has proven training and understanding of bike/body separation and basic fundamentals will make you an efficient rider. I love sharing the passion of mountain biking and setting the foundation of the fundamentals for the beginner rider.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 2 Certification
• Bike Instructor Certification Program Level 2 Certification (Level 3 near future)
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Whit Rutherfurd

Lead Coach

Whit Rutherfurd has been riding bikes in the green mountains of Vermont for over two decades. With his knowledge of local trails and his naturalist perspective, Whit believes deeply in sharing the life changing magic of bikes. When he’s not peddling and enjoying camaraderie in the woods, he can be found playing or instructing on the ski slopes and then cooking for friends and loved ones.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Dale Lalone

Lead Coach

I started mountain biking over 25 years ago at the recommendation of my wife who is also an avid mountain biker. It became my summer passion as skiing is in the winter. Since my retirement in 2017, I’ve been fortunate to experience mountain biking throughout North America with the trails in Maine being my homestead. I enjoy trail building and have worked on many local networks along with the six miles I’ve built behind my house. This has given me a convenient way to continually work on my skills. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my knowledge of mountain biking and being a part of others achievements.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• Wilderness First Aid\CPR\AED

Jessica Robison

 Lead Coach

Jessica is an avid mountain biker from South Eastern Connecticut, and while it feels like she’s been riding forever, she got into the sport seven years ago. After finding the amazing community of women mountain bikers, she started leading weekly ladies rides and supporting beginner riders through her local New England Mountain Bike Association chapter. When not on her bike, Jessica is a Speech and Language Pathologist in a middle school and just earned a degree in educational leadership.  Jessica has participated in women's clinics and has seen her skills progress as she developed the fundamentals. Her passion for teaching and love of mountain bikes is why she pursued her PMBIA level 1 coaching certification.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
  
• First Aid\CPR\AED

Danielle DeLongis

Lead Coach

Whether racing around the neighborhood as a kid, riding yellow banana seat bike in the woods, or discovering mountain biking in college, Danielle really can’t remember a time she did not ride a bike either for transportation or pleasure. Through the years, biking took a back seat to academic and career building. About 3 years ago, Danielle rediscovered her passion for riding, when a friend simply reminded her that it’s impossible to feel the weight of the world when riding a bike. She started riding her old 26 inch wheel bike, ordered a new bike 29’er and took a clinic with DCA to improve her skills. Within those three years, Danielle upgraded bikes again, added gravel biking to the mix and became a certified mountain bike coach. As a clinical social worker, providing therapy and teaching others how to be a therapist for over 20 years, Danielle believes riding a bicycle is some of the best therapy available. Danielle continues to provide clinical social work in Vermont and coaches mountain biking to bring the joy of riding a bike to others.

Certifications

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 certification

Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED

Olivia Shively

Director of Social Media

Lead Coach

Growing up in Vermont, mountain biking was all around me, and my parents were avid mountain bikers. I dabbled in it when it was young, but I was mostly interested in all things snowboarding. When I graduated from college, my mom told me it was time to grow up and get serious about mountain biking. Now based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, I’ve spent the last two years getting serious: doing local XC and downhill races and exploring everything the area has to offer. 

My coaching experience includes snowboard coaching for children and adults with cognitive disabilities and I run the local 4-H mountain bike club. 

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• First Aid\CPR\AED

Mike Niziolek

Regional Manager- CT/NY/NJ

Lead Coach

Mike Niziolek lived on his bike as a kid and began mountain biking over 20 years ago. He is an avid trail rider who enjoys chunky New England tech trails and bike parks alike. In addition to riding, he also enjoys wrenching on bikes and fine-tuning bike and suspension setups. Mike is a certified K-12 educator and has been a high school teacher in Somers CT for 18 years. He has been a coach or instructor of some sort for over 24 years and is excited to share his passion for riding and teaching with adults and children alike. 

Certifications:

• CSDE 047 K-12 Technology Education
• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification (Level 2 near future)
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Gage O'Donnell

Lead Coach

Gage moved to Vermont as a young child and while loves to travel, good luck getting her to reside anywhere else. She appreciates all of the outdoor activities that Vermont has to offer. Her first experience mountain biking came as a kid while at dryland ski camp and she was hooked. Mountain biking became her summer 'skiing'; using mountain biking to get through the summer until ski season, and skiing to get through the winter until mountain bike season.

Gage worked kids mountain bike camps in high school, but it was her involvement with Little Bellas as an adult that grew her interest in giving back to the bike community and increasing passion to help both adults and kids grow their skills around mountain biking. Riding bikes can be a lifelong sport and Gage is excited to help you develop your skills so you can enjoy all that mountain biking has to offer. 

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Jessica Towles

Assistant Coach

Jessica lives in Atlantic Beach, FL. Jessica started racing BMX at age 9, was factory sponsored by age 11, a national champion by age 12, & a world champion by age 13. She received her first mountain bike at age 17 & thus has enjoyed riding most of her life. 7 years ago, Jessica started riding BMX bikes again & became more serious with improving her mountain bike skills. She raced again & did well, but after 40 years of experience on the bike, decided to shift her focus from racing to coaching. Off the bike, Jessica owns a medical transcription company that she runs remotely & is a group fitness coach at a popular gym. She has four adult children & just recently became a grandmother.

Certifications:

• PMBIA level 1/PMBIA Kids
• Red Cross Baby/Pediatric/Adult CPR/First Aid/AED
• USA Cycling Coach Level 2
  
  

Tom Sioui

Assistant Coach

Tom was a casual mountain bike rider starting in 1994 with a fully rigid bike. In 2013 he needed something more, and so hired a coach and started training for MTB Marathons. These 100 km events were a great opportunity to take family vacations to mountain bike and hiking destinations across the country. Favorites include races in Big Bear Lake, CA and in the Grand Teton NP area. Based in Massachusetts, New England is a favorite too.



Learning to ride efficiently and safely is critical for riding long distances in a day. Clinics were an important tool for quickly advancing his capabilities. Getting comfortable with roll-downs, drops and jumps was a big help. Learning the skills and maneuvers that are the foundation of mountain biking, from experienced coaches, inspired Tom to become a certified coach as well. When not biking, Tom enjoys being outdoors with his wife and two daughters in the Northeast, and further when they can.

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them" Ernest Hemingway (By “coast” he means bomb down fast with flow)

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• Wilderness First Aid / CPR certified

Jimmy Kondisko

Assistant Coach

Jimmy’s lifelong bike journey accelerated to full speed once the training wheels came off. Smiling with every pedal stroke from the childhood sixteen-inch wheels to his current full suspension twenty-niner. A previous member of the Stoudt’s Brewing JB Mountain Bikes Team,

Jimmy was often found at the starting line of cyclocross, cross country mountain bike, and varying distance triathlons. Jimmy was the course designer for the team’s annual event, Stoudt’s Cross. Jimmy, with the support of the team organized the preparation, setup, race day coverage

and tear down guiding the team to put on awesome events. Jimmy currently volunteers with his wife performing various types of trail maintenance supporting their local networks and mountain biking organizations. The feeling of fluid motion motivates Jimmy to ride various bikes and boards to embrace the spirit of adventure. Jimmy started as an apprentice snowboard instructor over seventeen years ago and currently holds an AASI Level two snowboard instructor certification. Recently Jimmy’s interest in snowboarding has plateaued with back country riding and mountain biking is front and center. Jimmy decided to merge his intense passion for biking and teaching experience to become a certified mountain bike instructor. The process of certification provided an opportunity to develop as a group, and progress riding abilities to an elevated level. The rewarding experience drives him to share the joy of riding with others. Jimmy is motivated to prove that the fundamentals of mountain biking are for everyone who wants to be a more efficient and

confident rider.

Certification:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• American Association Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Level 2 Certification
  

Justin Olewnik

Assistant Coach

Justin Olewnik is an avid cyclist who enjoys both road and mountain biking. He has been mountain biking for over 20 years and is excited to share his passion for bikes and trail riding with kids and adults alike. From his experience as a lifelong athlete, Justin values the importance of focusing on fundamentals to improve your skills. Whether you just picked up a bike or have many miles under your tires, Justin believes all riders can benefit from focused coaching to improve bike handling, confidence, and performance so that your next ride is your best ride.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Jesse Frank

Assistant Coach

Jesse Frank is an avid outdoor enthusiast and passionate about coaching. Whether on skis or a mountain bike, you can find him in the mountains all year long. Jesse looks forward to sharing his excitement for and knowledge surrounding mountain biking with those looking to learn or take their riding to the next level. He lives in central Vermont with his wife and two young children, who are both learning to ski and bike. 

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• First Aid\CPR\AED

Greg Dolbec

Assistant Coach

From a small town in Maine, great memories of riding my dads (too big for me) rigid 21 speed down ATV trails.

Where you'll find me:
Long endurance rides in the spring and summer to build the base.

Local Catamount Wednesday night MTB series, it's a great way to chase the fast people and build skills.

Sharpen the skills and start racing New England cyclocross September through November for Deer Farm Cyclocross.

Out with the kids on xc skis in the winter, bikes and hikes in the summer.

When it's too wet to ride. I'm in the woods scouting and building trails. My favorite zones are urban, where kids from that area have easy access and can ride from home, shred, and repeat.

Bicycle Mechanic in the summer.
Teach skiing in the winter.

Certifications:

• Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA) Level 1 Certification
• Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Level 3/Development team member
• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

Michael Seery

Assistant Coach

Trained by the prestigious school of hard knocks, certified by more than a decade in the saddle on some of the hardest trails out there, with a degree in blood, pain, and exhaustion, Mike is a bit like a puppy let off the leash when he gets on his bike. He's a founding member of Bike Bristol, a group that so far has built a small inner city trail system including a pump track. He's an active member of his local NEMBA chapter and helped with signage for the Nassahegon trail network in Burlington and helps maintain the network year-round. More recently Mike has become quite adept as a bike mechanic and enjoys learning about new products and bike designs. When he feels like it, his day job involves fixing, selling, and renting violins. His business Seery Strings is enjoying its 17th year as a successful, independent small business.

Certifications:

• First Aid\CPR\AED
  

John Hartman

Assistant Coach

John Hartmann is a highly certified and experienced mountain bike coach dedicated to enhancing riders' skills and enjoyment. With a strong educational foundation in psychology and extensive coaching experience in skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking, he's well-equipped to guide mountain bikers of all levels.

John is a PMBIA level 3 certified skills coach. He coaches at Snowmass Bike Park and is an Instructor Trainer for PMBIA.

Certifications

- PMBIA Level 3

Eli Morgan

Assistant Coach in Training

After racing in college, I took a break from riding for no reason in particular other than I “grew out of it.” This was the worst mistake of my life, biking is the most peaceful, personable, and effective way to go about understanding yourself and how you interact with the world. From how you handle high stress situations to knowing how far you can push yourself. I love biking, I love what I do, I love helping others find what they love to do. Enjoy the ride. Just an engineer and a bike.

Laurie Howell

Owner/ VP of Stuff

I have always loved the outdoors. I was an accomplished equestrian competing and winning horse jumping competitions all over the US. It wasn't until I reunited with my high school sweetheart, Patrick, that I  started riding things with wheels. I quickly learned that riding a horse and riding a bike have a lot of similarities.  We were married atop Brockaway Mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We biked up to the top of the mountain where the ceremony was performed. "the fastest 3000 feet I ever climbed chasing him up the mountain".  After moving around a bit for careers Laurie and Patrick settled in Vermont to end one chapter and begin another, Dynamic Cycling Adventures. Laurie handles stuff - and has given herself the title of VP of Stuff. Ranging from logistics, event coordination to working with the social media team and keeping the coaches on point. 

While not always front and center at our events; Laurie is the glue keeping the experiences running at a world class level.