Adventure Magazine

MOUNTAIN BIKING IS FOR EVERYONE
Some say mountain biking isn’t a great sport for middle
aged women. I totally reject that assumption! Women are
discovering that they can do their own thing in the sport, be
themselves and go as hard or easy as they like.
The sport combines fitness, the outdoors and a fantastic
comradery within the sport. Its relatively low impact (at my
level) and has been a fantastic family sport over the last
15 years. Mountain bikers tend to support each other in an
uncompetitive way. The sport focuses on skills rather than
competition.
I was not always into mountain biking, but when living
in Wellington I got to know this guy who loved mountain
biking (I ended up marrying him).
When we first met, I was like, there is no way I am getting
on a mountain bike and getting muddy and wet!! But I gave
it a go.
Typical boyfriend, for my first ride he takes me up the back
of Eastbourne on this really hard ride. And I sort of liked it.
Then he suggested Rotorua might be more my style for
a newbie. I discovered that Whakarewarewa Forest has
an abundance of lovely flowing green trails progressing
to blue and that's when I really got the bug for mountain
biking. Combine the forest with Rotorua’s hot pools and
awesome café options and you have a real winning
weekend combination.
Mountain biking is a really social sport, you go out riding
with your mates or family. There is something for everyone,
girls and guys can ride together on relatively equal terms
and it's a great excuse to get to outdoors.
For those who are after a bit of female affirmation there
are lots of women groups such as Mud Maidens. There are
also quite a few women coaches in the major MTB parks.
There are several ways you can get into biking, check out
your local mountain bike club, they will have often a ladies
group and lots of ladies are riding with friends and with
their daughters.
If you have a youngster who is keen to give it a go, in
Auckland there is Bella’s on Bikes. This group caters to
8 – 11 year old girls and are passionate about getting girls
into mountain biking. Bellas was started around 5 years
ago by a keen dad Mike Beale as a womens feeder to
Jafakids Youth Academy. The program has proved to be
a huge success with 40 percent of the 140 Jafakids now
women. Also the number of female coaches has increased
exponentially.
In Wellington, Christchurch and Wanaka there is Word, a
rad youth mountain bike club which also encourages girls
and women to ride.
There are still differences between men and women but
E-bikes mean that everyone can be on a level playing field
on the uphills. On the downhills you’re as fast as you want
to be.
The sport has evolved hugely in the last few years
and more women are discovering the amazing sport of
mountain biking.
I would encourage all women to give it a crack!
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