The Best Women Only MTB Events In 2022
To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) I wanted to shine the light on women creating MTB events for women across the UK. IWD is an opportunity to celebrate achievements of women all over the world for all sorts of reasons, because of the continued inequality that exists globally. The key theme for IWD this year is #breakthebias - a campaign for a world free of bias, stereotype and discrimination; a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias. (source: IWD 2022 )
Apply this to the world of mountain biking - We want to encourage more women into the sport, more women to try new things, and to gain the wellbeing benefits that connecting with nature and our bodies and riding our bikes can have. And female only mtb events are a great way to do it.
When I speak to my female friends about their preference for female only events, there is a clean split - some love them, saying they feel less intimidated and more empowered. Others don’t see the need for them and would rather just be mixed in with their male counterparts. And speaking to my male friends, some scoff a little, but most are often a bit jealous of the opportunity for a less testosterone driven environment. Personally I love getting a bunch of women together and generally being a bit silly, while also pushing ourselves to try new things. I should say, I do enjoy riding with my male friends too, and when I do, I push myself in a different way. The more opportunities for different ways to ride, the better.
Fancy Dress at Air Maiden in 2017
My first experience of female only mountain bike events was with the Highlands based Petal Power club, hosting Ride Like a Grrl Adventure and Epic ride events back in 2013 - 2016 with fancy dress themes each year. I entered Red Bull Fox Hunt in 2016 which, despite the mud disaster (if you know, you know), had all the good vibes with a cool set up and Rachel Atherton sharing tips. Also in 2016, Lynn Armstrong brought back Air Maiden, a freeride festival (originally started back in 2008) based at Glentress in the Tweed Valley (also in 2017 & 2018) but with a fancy dress twist that just created hilarities and all round good vibes, especially with unicorns, bumble bees and cowboys flying off jumps and capes flapping in the wind. I got caught up in the hype and energy every year at Air Maiden - the giggles and whoops of support encouraged me to “nail” some drops for the first time, try out a kicker, race friends in the dual slalom and get a teeny bit of air off the jumps. And I didn't really care what others thought because we were all just having fun, giving it a go.
There are a number of women only coaching and guiding opportunities across the UK. Some mixed gender races I know of in Scotland have had pre-race recce rides for women only. And, I also want to acknowledge that more brands are also starting to recognise the need and purpose for female specific kit and bikes, beyond the “shrink it and pink it” approach for many years. This article though is to shine the light on female only events to bring like minded women together for a day/weekend of “shredding” and fun. Created by women, for women. Let’s go!
Project Evolve
First up… Project Evolve
When: Mon 2nd May
Where: Revolution Bike Park, Wales
Who wouldn't want to go to a women’s gravity jam!?! This is a progression focussed event regardless of your preferred MTB discipline or skill level. Brought to you by Becci Skelton, Veronique Sandler and Sian Dillon. Queens of freeride, these girls know how to throw some shapes and have a good time with their wheels off the ground. They have created a master plan for an event to be super chilled out, non competitive, non judgemental and a safe environment to have go at riding some downhill and freeride.
Full day of uplift
Laps with pros
Vision Freeride sessions
Charity giveaway
Demo bikes
Airbag
Quiz the pros
When I spoke to Becci about the event, the thing that came across strongest was the non competitive element. Here’s some “sick” things she shared…
The main thing for us is to make people feel comfortable and less intimidated in a safe environment. And we don't mean no crashing, that's part of it, but we mean, no judgment and have a go. I get intimidated in bike parks so we started thinking about people who have even less confidence and wanted to create an opportunity for others to try freeride and downhill.
We want it to be for all abilities, from beginners who are starting to do a bit of jumping but it's a progression session for all abilities. The whole aim is to push mountain biking and push freeride events in general in the UK but keep the competitiveness out of it, purely on fun level and no pressure so that girls feel comfortable at a bike park and then they’ll hopefully go on to more free ride events.
Tickets were released on 28th February and sold out in less than 12 hours - The girls are HYPED! This just shows the hunger for these kinds of events! We need more women only events across the UK - especially in Scotland please!!?
More information: Project Evolve May 2022
Sisters of Send
Next up… Sisters of Send
When: 14/15th May 2022
Where: Bryn Bettws Lodge, Port Talbot, South Wales
This event is brought to you by Emma, Ally and Jessica. A jam packed programme of bike and lifestyle activities with a “dash of Welsh flavour” to the weekend with camping available both nights.
I caught up with Jessica Strange, to find out more about the event and why they decided to create an all female only event.
A women-specific event is a great way of getting women together to learn from and vibe off each other and strengthen a community. It’s a great tool to nurture those who have less confidence or experience, to find their feet, a new group of friends and discover your preferred riding style. The ‘Sisters’ event is not just aimed at beginners; you can be a pro or total novice and still have plenty of fun. As long as you can ride a bike…without stabilisers, the festival is geared towards anyone and everyone (“geared” I see what you did there, Jessica).
I have been fortunate enough to attend women-specific events. The first one I went to, I drove up to Scotland on my own, and I still have good friends now that I met there. We want to give this opportunity to others to provide the nurturing side of biking. We want women to go home after the festival feeling inspired, stoked on good vibes, and continue their progression in riding.
What to expect:
Bike brands and local business will be showcasing their products
Industry renowned coaches - taster coaching sessions
Exclusive use of the bike park trails
Workshops - tech clinics
Yoga
4X track and mates race
Dual slalom
Air bag
Goody bag
Plus evening entertainment: Live music, DJ, campfire, discussion groups with some pro athletes/Q&A
Tickets: Rider tickets and village pass tickets are still available. Men, children and dogs are welcome as spectators in the event village. The surrounding trails will also be available for non participants to use. More information: Sisters of Send May 2022
Gowaan Girls FEST
Gowaan Girls - “go on” - to be said in a “northern” accent and you get Gowaan (it sounds Irish in my Scottish head though).
When: 10 - 12th June 2022
Where: Farmer John’s MTB Park, Marple
A female only mtb festival for trail riding, coaching, racing, maintenance and many other exciting things organised by Bex Barona and Martha Gill who both travel the world on the Enduro World Series (EWS) circuit, but just love riding their bikes and being a bit “silly”. They say “we are all about seeing people push themselves, encourage others, have fun and give something a go”. They want to inspire others to pick up a bike, try new things, and give back to their UK mountain bike community.
What to expect:
Private trails all weekend
Wheelie workshop
Dual Slalom race
Pump track
Air bag
Long Jump competition
MTB films
Demo bikes
Q&A with Bex & Martha
Pro Rider guests
Plus: Festival vibe DJ & Camping, Moroccan style bar and some food vendors.
Tickets: currently sold out for participating, but there are still spectator tickets available (for men too).
More information: Gowaan Girls June 2022
Dirt Sisters of Shred
The Dirt Sisters of Shred organised by Ruby’s Big bike Challenge also looks awesome.
When: 10th April
Where: Exeter Bike Park
Ruby’s Big Bike Challenge is a group set up to help connect and support young girls in the MTB scene running events at cost or to raise money for different causes. This year’s Dirt Sisters of Shred is to raise money for Casey Gemma physio costs.
Participants will have full access to the bike park with coaches on hand to gives tips and advice on the tracks.
More information: Dirt Sisters of Shred
So whatever your riding ability, preferred style, age, or any other factor I highly recommend female only events if you want to meet like minded riders, and discover more of your potential on your bike. Who’s going?
FNY Collective
For the last few year the FNY Collective have been smashing it in the Tweed Valley with massive turn outs at their events. Full details are still to be announced but we have the inside scope. Get this in your diary for 2022 and keep an eye on their site for more info on entering soon.
When: 29th October
Where: Glentrees
What to expect:
Unique fun format non competitive event open to all levels of rider
Huge raffle supported by Juliana and Endura plus lots of local businesses
Demo bikes from Juliana
Snacks and goodie bag
Fancy Dress
More information: FNY Collective and you can follow FNY Collective at @the_fny_collective on Instagram
