Flying along the Top Shelf trail, my mountain bike was not completely earthbound. The ride was a dirt-packed roller coaster up and then quickly down the banks and quick turns. I felt super powerful as I whipped through the tree-lined descent on the Whiskey Trail Runs outside of Bandon, Oregon. I then knew I was hooked on mountain biking. Or I should say, hooked again. After two decades away from trail riding, I was back, and pumped for more. What I hadn’t realized is that mountain biking is a perfect catalyst for female empowerment.
Things have changed.
Things have changed in the world of mountain biking. At some point, I hung up my beloved early 1990s hardtail (bike-speak for a bike without shocks). I love mountain biking. I found it easier to sneak road bike rides in between all the demands of my busy life. Road rides could start from right outside my door. Fitting in the extra step of driving to a trailhead for a mountain bike ride had become nearly impossible. I was surprised to realize that almost 20 years had flown by since I’d last ridden the trails regularly. It turns out that riding a mountain bike is just like, well, riding a bike. My body remembered the thrill of zipping along a single-track trail as soon as my tires pointed down.
Both brand-new riders and returning riders like me are well served to take a lesson. Mountain bike coaching is becoming increasingly popular as the sport continues to grow and be more inclusive of women. Lindsay Ritcher started Ladies All Ride in Bend, Oregon and holds women-only mountain bike coaching clinics all over the country. “It’s really important for women over 40 to take a lesson so they aren’t scared on the bike,” she says. “As women, we often focus on the negative feelings of aging and mountain biking helps us feel more fit and strong.”
Take a lesson!
By taking a lesson, new riders can figure out what type of riding suits them. Maybe you love screaming descents and need to find trails that include a ride to the top. Perhaps you are just in amazing shape to ride up the steep inclines. Maybe you like more flowy, smooth trails, or love roller-coaster ups and downs, like me. Having a coach lead the rides takes the pressure off navigating an unfamiliar trail system. It lets new riders focus on the technical skills they need to learn a new sport.
There’s something addictive about pushing myself up those thigh-burning climbs. The reward is the thrill of sailing back down the mountain, wind in my face and heart racing. It’s all part of the magic that makes mountain biking so compelling. More than anything, it brings back the fearless spirit of my younger self and reminds me how strong and powerful I am now. Lindsay spoke candidly about her personal empowerment journey through the sport of mountain biking. “I mountain bike because it’s hard and scary and intimidating. The bike has taught me how to take control of my life and I think it’s a great tool to help women learn how to do hard things.”
TIP
To get started mountain biking, the first thing you will need is the bike itself. Lindsay suggests riding lots of different types of bikes, and not just a 10-minute ride around the block of your neighborhood bike shop. Many shops will offer free demos, or you can rent a bike (often the rental fee will be subtracted from the purchase price if you buy it). Women have really different needs when it comes to cycling and it will take an investment of time to figure out what is the right fit and type of bike for you.
GEAR UP
The Right Clothing
There are several companies that focus on mountain bike clothing designed specifically for women’s bodies. Kaden Apparel out of Vermont is a woman-owned company whose smart designs feel great while riding and are stylish enough to wear out for a beer afterwards. Owner and designer Chelsea Camarata’s passion for the sport and for empowering women to get out and ride is channeled into her designs. “The thing that sets Kaden apart is that the fit is flattering on a lot of different body types. We aim to help women feel welcomed into the mountain bike space.”
I also love the fit and design of another woman-owned mountain bike apparel company, Shredly. As the first women-only mountain bike apparel company, it was also the first to offer inclusive sizing of technical gear in sizes 0-24. Gloves are also super helpful, as they wick away moisture from your hands while riding, making your grip on the handlebars more secure. And if you fall, gloves protect your palms.
The Right Helmet
I highly recommend wearing a mountain bike specific helmet that includes a visor to keep the sun out of your eyes on sunny days and mud out in the rain. I am a big fan of my Smith Forefront 2 helmet. It fits great and I just feel safer when I wear it because of the lower cut in the back of the helmet that provides fuller coverage than my road helmet. But any helmet is preferable to riding without head protection.
The Right Eye Protection
Smith also makes another key piece of mountain biking gear, eye protection. The Bobcat glasses are specifically designed for mountain biking and wrap around to protect your eyes from errant branches and mud. Before investing in biking-specific eyewear, new riders can also swing by a hardware store and pick up a cheap pair of clear safety glasses. These work super well on cloudy and overcast days.
This article by Ariel Frager was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.
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