Making Connections. Creating Community. Building Confidence.
Skills. Adventure. Race. LIFE.
Welcome to the beautiful Sonoran Desert.
Welcome to Sonoran STOKE.
We are glad you are here.
Sonoran STOKE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making CONNECTIONS, creating COMMUNITY, and building (outdoor) CONFIDENCE for ALL we serve. We are based in Vail, Arizona and we use mountain bikes, hikes, bikepacking, and outdoor adventures as the tools to help create outdoor leaders.
Our programming is firmly grounded in adventuring AND giving back to our trails and community. We are passionate about getting MORE GIRLS ON BIKES and 10% of all coaching, clinics, workshops, and programs goes to THRIVE girl THRIVE--our free of charge programming for girls who otherwise would not have access to mountain biking and outdoor adventures.
ABOUT Coach Jody
Dr. Jody Bartz, the Founder and Executive Director for Sonoran STOKE, is a transformational leader, dedicated endurance athlete, and powerful coach who is dedicated to making connections, creating community, and building confidence in those she works with.
Important note: *Athlete is defined as ANYONE who moves their body with purpose.
Jody’s background includes running, triathlon, strength training, MTB, and gravel racing. Her expertise lies in supporting women and youth athletes and accommodating for those who may need additional support; however, her education and professional experiences are ideal for any athlete.
Jody discovered running and triathlon post-high school and after numerous years competing as a runner and triathlete, she discovered strength training and cycling and fell in love with endurance events. Jody continues to enjoy mountain and gravel bike races and is particularly fond of competing on her single-speed.
Passion, energy, and focus on the coach-athlete relationship is at the core Jody's role at Sonoran STOKE. She enjoys sharing what she’s learned through a myriad of cycling experiences. From 2013 to 2018, she developed and was the head coach for a high school MTB team in Flagstaff, Arizona and two years ago, she stepped away from academia to create GRO girl GRO --programming specifically designed to increase the number of girls in Tucson and surrounding areas who are outdoor leaders. She loves to teach, lead clinics and rides, and coach riders to be prepared for a variety of events.
A strength of Jody’s is her ability to energetically communicate with riders AND FAMILIES–with the ultimate goal of fostering the LOVE of the outdoors and mountain bike or gravel cycling.
Jody received her Ph.D. with a major in Special Education and a minor in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona in 2012. As the aunt of two nephews with autism (who both ride), she is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities to be as active as possible. Jody has nearly 25 years of experience in the classroom, at the university level, and individually with children, youth, and their families.
Jody and her husband Jon live in Vail, Arizona. Jody holds BICP L1, USAC L3, and NASM-CPT Certifications. She enjoys cycling, road, and trail running, strength training, reading, camping, and spending time with her family and two dogs.
