Who is Skirts in the Dirt?

Women helping women get into cycling!

Skirts in the Dirt exists because of our volunteers, our participants, and our supportive and amazing local community!

Maria Carrillo-Diekema - Race Director

About Maria:
”Hey! I’m Maria and I love mountain biking! Although my husband introduced me to mountain biking about 9 years ago, it was Jill Martindale who turned it into a passion. She sold me my first bike when she worked at GRBC and told me about the women’s weekly group rides. My first race ever was Skirts in the Dirt. I had so much fun that I kept coming back and now I organize it! Dreams do come true! In 2020 I founded an all-women’s mountain bike group called Lakeshore Mountain Biking Sisters. I saw a need for it in the Holland/Zeeland area and it was important for me to find a way to fill that gap. Since then, the club has grown so much. I love introducing women to mountain biking! I love watching their skills grow and them gaining confidence. To see my LMBSisters enter races, doing long gravel rides and bikepacking; it makes my heart so happy. I love laid back fun group rides and will join any chance I get. If your ride takes you to tacos or ice cream, I’m there!”

alana kooi- volunteer coordinator

Alana is super speedy on both her mountain bike and gravel bike! You will regularly see her on the podium around Michigan as she participates in the Michigan Gravel Race Series (MGRS). Alana works in education and has a passion for helping others. We are grateful for the organization and efficiency she brings to LMBS and the planning committee. If you volunteer for Skirts in the Dirt you can look forward to hearing from her.

LAURA SALIK- planning committee

dIANE STEPHANIE HOLTON - PLANNING COMMITTEE / Course Director

Stephanie is a mom of two young kids that loves everything related to two-wheelers. She started biking at a young age and was always passionate about exploring places by bike. In 2020 she found herself joining the Lakeshore Mountain Biking Sisters (LMBS) and that brought her love for bikes to a whole new level she didn't know existed inside of her. She is driven by FOMO, genuine friendships in the mountain biking community and long days on the bike. She ultimately loves seeing the smiles Skirts in the Dirt brings to first time racers!

Pam Schutter - Planning committee

Pam is a fast rolling, hill climbing machine! She loves to get involved in all things bike! You will see her regularly across the biking scene. She loves to help out at events! Riding and volunteering are her jam! Pam is a member of the Lakeshore Mountain Biking Sisters and we absolutely love having her! When she is away - it is noticeable! Her son Aaron owns Main Street Bicycle Company in Zeeland.

allison downs- planning committee

Allison knows her way around bikes. Often disassembling them and improving upon her bikes to fit her just right! She is responsible for many “new bike days” among the LMBSisters! Allison is also a member of Lakeshore Mountain Biking Sisters and is a regular on our weekly rides. She loves to help at biking events so watch for her next time you’re racing.

YIDZZA POU - PLANNING COMMITTEE / Photographer & illustrator

I’m Yidzza (aka Gigi), a proud mom of one adventurous 9-year-old boy, an adventure seeker, a bike-loving soul and a nature wanderer. Originally from Puerto Rico, I discovered mountain biking after moving to Arkansas in 2013, when my husband introduced me to the trails. What started as casual rides quickly turned into a full-on passion for adventure on two wheels. After moving to West Michigan in 2020, I found the Lakeshore Mountain Biking Sisters; riding with such an encouraging, fun, and fearless group of women showed me the power of community support.

Skirts in the Dirt holds a special place in my heart. It’s a celebration of everything I love about riding. I enjoy capturing those moments behind my camera lens and contributing my creative energy to help make the event unforgettable. In 2025, I became a MiSCA coach with the Coyotes Youth MTB Team, inspired by my son Diego, who’s the spark behind everything I do. Volunteering for both, the women’s and youth communities is my way of paying forward all the encouragement and joy we’ve received as a mountain bike family.

Let’s connect and share the ride! You can find my creative work and trail adventures over at @yidzza.pou

Erin Chillag - Planning committee

Erin found her way into mountain biking a few years back after chronic injuries derailed her running life. She started out on a fat bike, which still is the most fun of her assorted bike collection! After spending the last 25 years working in various roles as a pediatric nurse, she is currently working on becoming a personal trainer to help others find joy in strength and fitness. She doesn’t get on her bike as much as she’d like, but she loves the LMBS community and what it represents, which is why she remains a part of the planning committee! In her free time she loves hiking around the country and world with her husband, and hanging at home with their rescue dog Jojo and 3 rescue cats – Dev, Mrs Peanut Butter & Bongo. She also volunteers at Second Chance Cats of West Michigan. Leave it to her to figure out how to bring together two of her passions - cats and women's fitness! 

ANDREA CHAPPELL - PLANNING COMMITTEE

Andrea loves all things cycling! From fat tire and mountain biking to gravel rides and bikepacking adventures, she’s always ready for the next ride. While her two-wheel journey began with motorcycles, joining LMBS in 2020 sparked an even deeper passion for biking that continues to grow.