OUTDOORS & PARKS NINA ROGERS MOUNTAIN BIKER An avid mountain biker, Nina Rogers had quite an adjustment when she moved to Louisiana eight years ago. “When I came here, everything was flat,” she remembers. “Then I joined BRAMBA (Baton Rouge Area Mountain Bike Association) and discovered we have some very technical trails right here in Baton Rouge.” She said the group was so welcoming that she started biking with them every week – and eventually joined their board. That led her to partner up with fellow biker Toby Cortez to offer bike training and lead group rides through some of their favorite places. “I started doing so much training that I thought I should probably get certified,” she says with a laugh, which led her to create Send It Sisters, a mountain bike training program geared especially to women. “Teaching female bikers requires special skills – it’s not the same as when I trained men – and I love helping these women gain confidence and feel more comfortable in their own skin.” Nina has shared some of her favorite places to ride and explore throughout this year’s guide, but one of those spots is especially meaningful to her. “Ruston has this beautiful bike hub up there that is attracting riders from all over the region and beyond.” Leading to five state-of-the-art flow trails that take riders of all skill levels over different types of terrain – all with awesome views – it’s also the world’s first waterfall mountain-biking hub. “It really is amazing and I helped design it. It’s something I can look at now and say, wow, I did that!” NINA ROGERS Neal Alfano/Larry Lynn Follow Nina’s adventures! ExploreLouisiana.com 13
Louisiana Travel Guide 2026: Page 13
