We grow together
Our Team
OWNER, HEAD COACH & TURTLE LOVER
Angi Weston
Radical Roots MTB Instruction was started by master coach, Angi Weston, as a way to pursue her mission to get more people riding and loving bikes. She has been coaching mountain bike skills since 2002 and is Level 3 certified through the Bicycle Instructor Certification Program (BICP) making her one of the most qualified and highly-experienced mountain bike coaches in North America for both riders and coaches alike.
She’s created and runs award-winning events like Transition Women's Weekend, continuing education classes for mtb coaches, our Radical Racing Team, and the famous Radical Rippers Junior Development Program.
Angi has called Bellingham, WA home since 2000 and in the two decades that she has been mountain biking she has dabbled in racing downhill, Super D, enduro, cross-country, cyclocross, and coaster-brake klunkers, but it has always been coaching that brought her the most enjoyment and fulfillment. Riding, mentoring, and coaching are her greatest passions and it shows in her patient and enthusiastic approach.
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.
STOKE SCHEDULER, SPREADSHEET WIZARD, DOG LOVER
Sue Hess
Sue has been a supporter of Radical Roots MTB Instruction since before it’s 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, TECHNOLOGY WHIZ, CAT LOVER
Lauren Church
Bikes are Lauren’s life’s passion. She’s been riding and digging trails since grade school, starting with BMX and progressing into a love for mountain biking. Growing up in the Southwest US, she was most drawn to the desert freeride culture and found her bike home in big jumps and creative lines. These days, she still love to hit jumps, ride playfully, and push herself to conquer big features. She also loves celebrating people on bikes by creating a fun and safe space to help them advance their skills. Lauren has been coaching with Radical Roots MTB since 2018, is a Level 1 certified coach (BICP) and is Wilderness First Aid certified.
Beyond bikes, she has a deep passion for the intersection of art, science, design, and engineering. She works full-time as a software systems engineer and loves to nerd out on every imaginable subject. You can find her in her office most days, head in a book, doodling at her easel, or hacking away on the keyboard under the watchful eye of her spunky little cats, Maverick and Goose.
LEAD COACH, EDUCATION DIRECTOR FOR WMBC, TEAM MOM
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 is now the Education Director for Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC). It is the perfect mix of her passions. 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, 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, 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.
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. 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 and she founded The Airow Project, a local non-profit that creates community-based outdoor recreational activities for those with disabilities and special needs in Bellingham and surrounding areas. 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.
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.
LEAD COACH, MOTHER, EDUCATOR
Chelsea Hawkins
Chelsea is a certified BICP Level 1 Mountain Bike Coach and has been with Radical Roots MTB since 2020. Before coaching with Radical Roots she was an assistant coach with Flying Squirrels and led the mountain bike club at the Elementary School she teaches at. Chelsea's love for teaching comes out in her coaching. She is encouraging, enthusiastic, and patient. She hopes to bring the best out in every rider by learning their goals and helping them achieve them. She believes every goal, small or large, should be celebrated!
Chelsea got into mountain biking in Montana. When she moved out to Washington 8 years ago, she quickly learned the riding out here was much different. Roots can be real slippery when wet. As she found her footing or (wheels) she fell even more in love with the sport. Chelsea spends most weekends riding her bikes with friends and finding the next best alpine trail to ride. After work, she loves to squeeze in a quick Bob's lap with her dog Norman. When off the bike, Chelsea enjoys snowboarding, running, gardening, reading, and snuggling with her cat Phoebe.
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!
COACH
Cait Arnett
I grew up in the sprawling city of Dallas, TX, where I mostly played ball sports and rode horses. I started riding bikes in college and fell in love with the sport and the community. I ended up getting a degree in kinesiology and education and worked for college outdoor programs, where my teaching skills would be put to good use by creating accessible content and programs for those breaking into outdoor sports, especially with rock climbing and kayaking and mountain biking coming in later. After college, I stepped into the bike industry to work as a mechanic at shops in Logan, UT and Moab, UT. I received my PMBIA Level 1 certification in 2022 and put coaching skills to use in Fayetteville, AR, where I led bike programs at the University of Arkansas and partnered with local nonprofits to provide clinics. I moved to Bellingham at the end of the summer of 2023 to continue to pursue my passion for riding bikes and exploring new places by bike. When I'm not on my bike, I'm hanging out with my cat or going to yoga or napping in the sun.
