Founder & Executive Director
Meet Siobhan
Siobhan, the founder of Recovery Rides, is an avid mountain biker who has leaned on the sport to get through some of the hardest times in her life. Whether it was training for the BC Bike Race after recovering from a stroke caused by a massage, or pedalling through multiple attempts at recovery from alcohol and substance use disorder, riding has always been a core part of her journey.
“Mountain biking provides such a unique experience,” she says. “Not only are you out in nature and getting those endorphins going, but you’re also completely focused on what you’re doing. It creates this forced, zen-like state—a flow state—which science shows is closely linked to happiness.”
Siobhan’s connection to riding runs deep, but so does her experience supporting others in recovery. After five years working on the frontlines with people navigating substance use and co-occurring disorders, she saw a huge gap in the recovery services being offered.“Only the most expensive private treatment centres are providing adventure therapy,” she says.
Knowing firsthand the power of the bike, she founded Recovery Rides to break down the barriers that keep people from experiencing the healing potential of the trail. While she knows mountain biking isn’t for everyone, for those it does resonate with, it can make a life-changing impact. Many riders say “mountain biking saved my life”—Siobhan included. Through Recovery Rides, she’s on a mission to share that with others.