We grow together
Our Team
OWNER, HEAD COACH, TURTLE LOVER
Angi Weston
Radical Roots MTB Instruction was founded by master coach Angi Weston with one simple mission: to get more people riding and loving bikes.
Angi has been coaching mountain bike skills since 2002 and is a Level 3 certified instructor through the Bicycle Instructor Certification Program (BICP), making her one of the most experienced and highly qualified mountain bike coaches in North America—for riders and coaches alike.
Over the last two decades, she has created and led award-winning programs and events including Transition Women’s Weekend, continuing education courses for mountain bike coaches, and the renowned Radical Rippers Junior Development Program.
Based in Bellingham since 2000, Angi has explored nearly every corner of mountain biking and dabbled in racing Downhill, Super D, Enduro, Cross-Country, Cyclocross, and Coaster-brake klunkers,—but coaching has always been what brings her the most fulfillment.
At Radical Roots MTB, coaching goes beyond technique. Riders are met with patience, curiosity, encouragement, and respect for where they are in their riding and their personal goals. The focus is on building confidence through skills, fostering self-trust, and creating an inclusive environment where riders of all identities, backgrounds, experience levels, and wheel-sizes feel welcome.
Angi believes progress happens through connection, not ego—that skills build trust, trust builds confidence, and confidence builds lifelong riders.
SUMMER CAMP LEAD COACH, PROFESSIONAL FUN-HAVER, VAN LIFER
Dominique (Dom) Edgerly
Dominique grew up in the urban canyons of New York City and has been seeking out more natural places ever since. She has worked as an educator, guide, instructor, and/or coach of various outdoor activities for over fifteen years, and has lived in almost every region of the country, along with having traveled to almost every continent. Dominique has been coaching with Radical Roots MTB since 2019 and derives such joy from watching people gain confidence on the bike that they can then bring into other aspects of their lives.
During the winter you can find her up at the Mt. Baker ski area, teaching skiing and snowboarding, and in the peak of the summer months she is a guide for Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures out of Bellingham. She loves spending as much time as possible on her bike and is constantly striving to improve her own riding and to bring those skills back to those she coaches. Dom’s energy is beaming with positivity and absolutely contagious. We find it impossible to not enjoy time with Dom, on and off the bike.
LEAD COACH, TEAM MOM, SERVICE DOG TRAINER
Shannon Flory
Shannon grew up in the Midwest and started her career as an exercise physiologist helping people achieve their fitness goals. She was also a springboard diving coach for kids aged 8-18. It was through coaching a high school diving team that she decided to pursue secondary education as her next career. In 2007, she and her husband moved to Bellingham for its outdoor culture and access to mountains and water. She has been mountain biking ever since! In 2018 she started volunteering with her daughter’s girls riding group and over the years has become involved with several organizations focused on getting kids and adults out on bikes. After 15 years in the classroom she became the Education Director for Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) for 5 years. Shannon is Level 2 BICP certified and continues to coach with Radical Roots MTB when she has time. When she’s not adventuring outside she’s hanging out with her family, friends and dog.
LEAD COACH, SNACK BOSS, LITERAL SPARKLER
Angela Peterson
Coach Angela (AKA: Coach Ang (she/they) is a BICP Level 2 Certified Instructor, an Instructor Trainer for the BICP, and holds Wilderness First Aid certification. From being a soccer captain in her youth, to teaching horseback riding lessons in her early 20s, and now mountain biking skills since 2018, Angela has always gravitated towards the leadership and coaching roles where she can uplift, empower, and help folks of all ages reach their goals in sport.
She loves helping riders gain confidence, work through their fears, and develop stronger skills both mentally and physically for mountain biking. She takes pride in creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments where riders can thrive and find success. Ang embodies kindness, curiosity, and bravery in their daily life and coaches with those values at the forefront. Mountain biking at its core is pure bliss, and Ang delights in experiencing the different and individualized blissful moments with each rider as they learn and progress.
When not on their bike or coaching, Ang loves kickin' it in the hammock with a good book and Outshine fruit bar, playing the piano, or gazing at the moon. Their Australian Shepherd, Striker, is the absolute sweetest fluff-ball, and he loves to go hiking and get butt scratches. Ang and Striker moved from the Midwest to Bellingham in January 2024 and are stoked for all the PNW adventures.
LEAD COACH, DOG DAD, GUSHERS ENTHUSIAST
Sam Armstrong
Sam is a PMBIA and GSMBC Level 2 AIR instructor with 7 years of coaching experience in mountain biking and other sports. He’s been with Radical Roots MTB since 2025 and rides for Fanatik Bike Co here in Bellingham. He’s a devout Chelsea supporter and has been known to frequent matches in London. When he’s not riding mountain bikes you’ll find him at home with his wife, two dogs, and three cats (usually drinking coffee and building Lego). When you see Sam out on the trails chances are high that he has a packet of gushers (or 3) in his pack.
LEAD ADAPTIVE COACH, IMPRESSIVE MULTITASKER, SURFER
April Katz
April Katz, has been an outdoor enthusiast her whole life and it all started with a love for surfing the beaches of California, where she grew up. She is an avid bike rider who engages in numerous events that are focused on breaking barriers to access, participation, and representation outdoors and is a proud member of the Ride For Racial Justice Team. April is highly skilled and experienced in helping people reach their health goals. Visit her website to learn more about Coach April Katz and the work she does to empower individuals of all abilities. She is a BICP Adaptive Level 1 Fundamental Instructor and Certified Professional Life Coach. She also runs her own business coaching and consulting all over North America. April is an ambassador on the Transition Bikes Giddy Up Squad and can usually be found leading a group ride, like the Barrier Breaking Rides at the Transition Outpost.
COACH, EXPLORER, ZEN YOGI
Zeya Keller
Zeya grew up in Oakland, CA where she fell in love with and raced cross-country mountain bikes for years. She moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2020 to study International Relations, Somatic Healing, Education, and Spanish in the Fairhaven program at Western Washington University.
She is a certified yoga and mindfulness teacher for all ages, One of her many passions is to facilitate the connection between mind, body, spirit, and land. Through both physical movement and emotional connection, she believes everyone can find embodiment, paths of self growth, acceptance, and empowerment.
Zeya truly enjoys building community in the outdoors while moving and exploring together.
LEAD COACH, RENAISSANCE WOMAN, CAT MOM
Lauren Church
Bikes are Lauren’s passion. She’s been riding and building trails since grade school, starting with BMX and evolving into a love for mountain biking. She enjoys hitting jumps, riding playfully, and challenging herself on new features. She also loves helping others progress by creating a fun and safe space to learn. Lauren has been coaching with Radical Roots MTB since 2018 and is a Level 1 BICP certified coach with Wilderness First Aid certification.
Outside of coaching, Lauren also works as a photographer, where she channels her creativity and love for capturing unique perspectives, inspired by her passion for travel and exploring wild places.
Website link: laurenchurch.com
LEAD COACH, ENVIRONMENTALIST, HYPE GIRL
Stephanie Ignell
Stephanie is a certified BICP Level 1 Mountain Bike coach and has been with Radical Roots MTB since the start in 2018. Her love for coaching comes from a passion of encouraging others so they can do whatever they set their mind to. She got into mountain biking after 5 hard years of dealing with a debilitating back injury. Through hard work and support from others, biking provided her an opportunity to move past this injury and connect with a community of people that she is forever grateful for - This connection is what makes mountain biking so special to her. She works hard to promote this connection and empower progression in each coaching lesson. Plus, Steph absolutely sends it on all the biggest jumps and gnarliest lines. You’ll struggle to find a more stoked and supportive coach than Steph, she’s everyone’s #1 fan and we are pretty sure that huge smile never leaves her face.
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER, PRO WITH ALL CAMERAS, ABSOLUTE SHREDDER
Ashlyn Fierek
Ash has been a mountain bike racer for over 10 years starting in the Midwest with cross country and quickly caught the gravity bug which encouraged the move to Enduro and downhill racing. She has raced everything from grassroots weeknight races to US Nationals Downhill and the Enduro World Series. Currently, she races in the NW Cup and is actively working with the series to pioneer an "Open" category. Outside of racing, you can catch her standing on the side of the track as a freelance videographer filming action and motorsports with snowmobile motocross (snocross) racing being her favorite (and weirdest) subject. Or out lapping Whistler bike park and playing follow the leader with her friends. On her rare days off, you can catch her hammocking in the sun with her trail dog Velzy.
STOKE SCHEDULER, SPREADSHEET WIZARD, DOG LOVER
Sue Hess
Sue has been a supporter of Radical Roots MTB Instruction since before its inception as one of Angi’s steadfast hype-girls and a dear friend. She is as passionate about spending time outdoors as she is over creating a beautiful and functional excel spreadsheet (lucky for us). Sue also prides herself on providing exceptional customer service and looks forward to helping our community grow their skills and comfort on a bike.
As our “Stoke Scheduler”, Sue answers all of your requests for lessons, scouring the schedules of our coaches for the perfect fit and availability for you. It brings her joy knowing that she’s a part of getting more people out there, discovering the magic of riding and playing in the woods. When Sue isn’t booking our lessons, answering emails for us, or keeping us organized behind the scenes, you can find her hiking around Galbraith Mountain, Glacier National Park, or anywhere she might spot bears, cooking delicious food (probably over an open fire), and doting over every dog she meets.
LEAD COACH, COOL MATH TEACHER, TEAM DAD
Chris Piasecki
Chris is a certified PMBIA Level 2 instructor with over ten years of experience as an educator and coach of numerous sports. Chris taught mountaineering in Alaska and adaptive skiing in Colorado before relocating to Bellingham in 2017. Since moving to Bellingham he developed a passion for mountain biking and helping people progress their riding in a safe and fun way. Chris serves as the Radical Racing Elite Team Head Coach and is also available for both group and private lessons. Chris' cool and calm demeanor mixed with his advanced riding and coaching skills make him an excellent choice for riders looking to grow some of the most advanced mtb skills like jumping, high speed cornering, and racing techniques. Beyond coaching, Chris works as a classroom teacher and enjoys spending time with his wife Fiona and 3-year-old son Micah, sharing adventures on skis and bikes, and navigating the endless question of, "Why?"
LEAD COACH, DOG MOM, YOUR NEXT HAIR-STYLIST
Em Ford
Coach Em is one of our top coaches, the Radical Rippers Program Manager, lead coach for our youth summer camps, and dog-mom to our unofficial mascot.
Em has been working on her skills as a coach since 2017 is level 2 certified through BICP, with loads of experience and passion.
As an inherently cautious person (both on and off the bike), Em was apprehensive at first that she would find belonging in this often dangerous-seeming sport of mountain biking. However, through perseverance and help from her friends and fellow coaches, she's become hooked on this sport and even more in love with helping others find their place here.
Em is stoked for the opportunity to work with a diverse range of riders. Whether your goal is to learn the foundations of MTB in a low-risk environment, build your skillset on the pump track, or hone your approach in an on-trail setting. From one-on-one lessons to group sessions, Em would be honored to be a part of your MTB progression journey and will cheer for you every step of the way.
Em’s favorite trailside snacks are dried pineapple, chocolate bars, and cookies and her favorite off-bike hobbies include: exploring with her dog, petting/admiring animals, reading books and listening to podcasts, weekend trips, and taking naps
LEAD COACH, BOAT CAPTAIN, DOG MOM
Rachael Denney
Rachael fell in love with riding mountain bikes 4 years ago and recently earned her level 2 coaching certification through BICP. She feels that there is not always one way to do something and that includes riding bikes. Rachael is always looking for new and fun ways to get down the hill whether that is taking the party line or finding the easiest route down a treacherous path, she has the goal of constantly expanding her skill and ability in this sport while most importantly looking to have fun riding her bike.
Rachael wants to share her skills and knowledge with others while providing a safe space to learn and grow in this sport. She has the understanding and ability to redirect or find alternative explanations for when a skill just isn’t clicking and believes that even the smallest achievements are worthy of celebration. Getting coached by Rachael is like having your best friend cheering you on while simultaneously blowing your mind with fresh perspectives and new challenges.
TEAM MECHANIC, NEW MOM, TRACK STAR
Erin Lietzan
Erin Lietzan runs the Radical Racing Club Team and has been coaching with Radical Root MTB Instruction since 2020. She is an avid cyclist who has competed in many areas of the sport both as a roadie and a mountain biker. Her competitive and coaching experience began in the running world where she was a D1 track and cross country athlete for the United States Naval Academy followed by 5 years of coaching high school track and cross county in Jacksonville, FL, and Anacortes, WA. Years of being on both the receiving end and dispensing end of coaching have given Erin a depth of knowledge on how to develop an athlete both mentally and physically. She has a progressive and patient style of coaching that builds confidence without pressure.
Good luck if you ever decide to challenge her to a plank-off or push-up contest - she’s no slacker!
