If a few years ago you’d asked about my interest in mountain biking, the answer would have been a firm NO. Absolutely not.
My introduction to this sport was watching my brother-in-law during a downhill race shortly after meeting my husband. Hiking up the racecourse at Dry Hill in Port Angeles, WA, my thought was, “People actually RIDE BIKES on this?!”
Signs like these showcasing challenging bike trails are exactly why I avoided mountain biking for years. Alt text: Warning sign for advanced mountain bike trail, illustrating the perceived danger of Bikes Women can face in mountain biking.
Then, I witnessed a professional racer crash headfirst into a tree, breaking his collarbone.
Definitely not for me, I thought.
However, mountain biking is a deep-rooted passion in my husband’s family. He persistently tried to show me that not all mountain biking is like downhill racing. Eventually, as our children grew and expressed interest in learning, things changed.
Guiding them through their initial frustrations and triumphs sparked something in me – a desire to at least try and keep up with them.
It became irresistible to join this crew on the trails. Alt text: A family portrait on a trail, highlighting the joy of bikes women can experience in family mountain biking.
I wanted a shared family activity. So, my husband adjusted his 2006 Specialized Enduro, and I embarked on my first ride.
A quality bike made all the difference, and I haven’t looked back.
If you’re like me, perhaps inspired to learn mountain biking because of your kids or simply seeking a new challenge, here are tips for getting started and discovering the joy of bikes women can bring to your life.
Step 1: Acknowledge and Overcome Your Mental Hurdles About Bikes Women
Let’s be honest: learning something new as an adult is tough. Our bodies aren’t as resilient as they once were, and we often face mental barriers. If you didn’t grow up mountain biking, you might have thoughts like:
This looks terrifying!
I’m too old for this.
I don’t want to get hurt.
I’ll never be able to keep up.
It’s too expensive.
I don’t want to slow others down.
Mountain bike culture feels exclusive.
Personally, I’ve thought all of these – aloud and to myself.
Living in a mountain biking hotspot, it seemed everyone was incredibly skilled. I felt intimidated by unfamiliar terms, lack of gear, and the fear of never fitting in or keeping pace.
As I tell my children, “Bravery begins with fear.” Alt text: A woman looking apprehensive, representing the fear many bikes women feel before starting mountain biking.
These concerns have some basis in reality. They aren’t entirely irrational.
Injuries are possible. The entry cost can be significant. The learning curve is steep, and initial progress might be slow.
The struggle is real, BUT it’s not the end of the story.
The face of a mom who has conquered fears, mud splatters as proof. Alt text: Smiling woman covered in mud after mountain biking, showcasing the joy and accomplishment bikes women achieve.
Creativity helps overcome some barriers (borrowing a bike, finding used gear). Mental shifts are needed for others (realizing older moms CAN learn new tricks).
Addressing systemic access issues and community support requires active effort (finding or creating local groups focused on equity and accessibility in bikes women communities).
Identify your internal obstacles. Write them down. Are you willing to face them, even a little? Don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Confronting obstacles is the first step to conquering them. Alt text: Woman confidently looking down a mountain bike trail, symbolizing overcoming challenges for bikes women.
Step 2: Find Your Bike Women Tribe
One of the best aspects of the mountain biking community here in Bellingham, WA, is the presence of grassroots organizations dedicated to building community and trail access.
The Joyriders Club empowers female-identifying individuals on bikes for fun. Vamos Outdoors Project offers free mountain biking programs to Latino youth and English language learners. Colour the Trails, in Canada, provides subsidized outdoor adventures for people of color and builds community through rides and skill sessions.
Finding a great riding buddy or community is invaluable. Alt text: Two women laughing together on a mountain bike trail, illustrating the importance of community for bikes women.
My greatest joy in mountain biking has been connecting with other moms. My first mountain bike experience was thanks to a friend inviting me on a relaxed ride and sharing her own journey of learning as an adult.
I trusted her not to push me too hard, and I related to her fears and insecurities about starting.
Riding with peers was empowering and fun. I could challenge myself a bit, walk hills when needed, and even use my friend’s duct tape after an awkward fall broke my shifter.
Whitney (yellow) and Renae (black) have been essential to my mountain biking journey. Alt text: Three women posing with their mountain bikes on a trail, highlighting the supportive friendships in bikes women groups.
After that first ride, I was more open to future invitations. I eventually established regular rides with friends eager to learn.
As we improve our skills, support each other, and celebrate progress, we’ve found more than just a hobby. We treasure this time together.
Our crew is growing, with room for more on the bridge! Alt text: A larger group of women mountain bikers on a wooden bridge, showcasing the expanding community of bikes women.
Step 3: Build Bike Confidence for Women Riders
This remains a challenging aspect for me. It feels unnatural to look at rocks, roots, or steep sections and confidently think, “I can ride over this, my bike can handle it!”
Empowering bikes women on challenging terrains
Our bikes can take us amazing places once we trust them. Alt text: A woman confidently riding her mountain bike on a scenic trail, emphasizing the capability of bikes women use.
I’m naturally cautious, and my survival instincts kick in during unfamiliar or scary situations. Despite being told speed is helpful, my mind screams, “BRAKE! SQUEEZE THE BRAKES NOW!”
Spoiler: listening to that scream doesn’t help.
To push myself, I used our kids’ obstacle course. It had small jumps, skinnies (narrow bridges), a see-saw, cones, and scrap wood mimicking roots.
Skinnies are great for balance and bike handling practice. Alt text: A woman practicing on a skinny bridge obstacle, demonstrating skill-building exercises for bikes women.
These low-risk obstacles helped me understand my bike’s capabilities.
A friend took me to a park to ride over small logs and stumps on flat ground. My husband had me ride over curbs in a parking lot to feel the suspension and learn pedal positioning.
These “safe” setting experiences boosted my confidence in my bike’s abilities.
Bikes women conquering obstacles after practice
Skinny practice paid off when I conquered this bridge on my first black diamond trail. Alt text: Woman successfully riding over a more challenging bridge, showing progress in bikes women skills.
Step 4: Practice Consistently with Your Bikes Women
The best advice I received, and give to beginners, is to keep riding. Even short rides around your neighborhood or on easy trails in a park build skill.
Making time for bikes women is worthwhile
Any time on your bike is valuable! Alt text: A mom with her child on a bike seat, emphasizing the importance of regular bike time for bikes women.
Consistency builds confidence. Confidence increases comfort. Comfort makes it FUN!
Regular rides with friends were my best practice. Others might prefer classes or workshops with instructors.
Learning mountain biking skills as bikes women
Mid-ride coaching from Lindsay helped Whitney nail this drop! Learning from experienced friends is great. Alt text: Women receiving mountain bike coaching, highlighting the learning environment for bikes women.
If local classes aren’t available, YouTube offers countless skill-building ideas. Online classes are also available, like Marley Blonsky’s “Back in the Saddle: Adult Biking 101 or Biking for Big People.”
Consider a women’s-specific skills clinic or camp for a “mom-cation”! Liv Cycles’ Ladies AllRide, Better Ride, and Trek Dirt Series offer camps nationwide. Female-focused events are fun and provide role models.
Step 5: Learn to Fall Gracefully on Bikes Women Trails
Surprisingly, falling is okay! It’s almost inevitable when consistently riding and exploring new terrain. Even familiar trails change with weather conditions. That’s singletrack beauty.
I’ve been fortunate to avoid major injuries so far, except for a torn calf muscle from hopping off my bike on an uphill section.
I’ve had bruises, scrapes, and shin bangs. Also, slow-motion falls and some funny crashes caught on video.
My bike ended up here attempting this bridge, but the fall wasn’t dramatic. Laugh at yourself! Alt text: A comical mountain bike fall, showing that even falls are part of the bikes women experience.
Most falls are hilarious – a bonus of riding with friends you don’t need to impress.
Mountain biking provides many life metaphors, and this is a big one. Despite our instincts to avoid falling, sometimes it’s the best way to learn. There’s an art to it!
Each fall has made me a better rider and braver person.
This bridge was easier from the other direction! Lesson learned. Alt text: A woman looking back at a bridge she navigated, reflecting on learning and improvement for bikes women.
Step 6: Have Fun with Your Bikes Women Journey!
This is crucial. Always prioritize fun!
For me, fun is trying something challenging with friends and celebrating each other’s courage. Sometimes it’s guiding a beginner on bunny trails and watching them discover the joy of bikes women.
Remember the scary trail signs? I rode it recently (slowly, cautiously) and it was AMAZING. Alt text: Woman smiling triumphantly at the end of a mountain bike trail, representing the fun and achievement for bikes women.
Having fun means not taking myself too seriously or comparing myself to others.
I admire faster, more skilled riders, but know my own riding is equally awesome. I cheer on a 5-year-old ripping down a trail I fear, as I head another way.
Bikes women and moms enjoying the ride together
Pro tip: Bike with people you love for exponential joy! Alt text: Two women laughing and riding bikes together, emphasizing the joy of shared experiences for bikes women.
Enjoy trailside conversations on uphill climbs (once you’re fit enough to talk while riding!). Enjoy post-ride meals with friends, recounting fun and confidence-building moments.
Let your journey be your own.
Becoming a Mountain Biking Mama: #moremomsonbikes!
Mountain biking can seem intimidating. While the culture needs to improve accessibility and inclusivity, we can each shape the atmosphere we want to be part of.
Moms finding a trail called “Mama Bear” take a selfie. Alt text: Group of moms taking a selfie on a trail sign “Mama Bear”, representing the growing community of bikes women moms.
Pushing through fears and insecurities has brought unexpected joy, wholeness, growth, and connection.
The more joy I find on my bike, the more I want to share it with anyone considering trying!
Mountain biking community for bikes women
I want a mountain biking community open to EVERYONE. It’s too good not to share! Alt text: Diverse group of women mountain bikers on a scenic overlook, advocating for inclusivity in bikes women communities.
It’s been life-giving to have other moms on trails with me – on borrowed bikes, checking maps, laughing, and cheering downhill.
I’m on a mission for #moremomsonbikes because mountain biking is crucial to my self-care.
Future of bikes women – girls on bikes
I can’t wait to explore trails with my daughter. If only Wonder Woman used her brakes! Alt text: A girl confidently riding a bike, inspiring the next generation of bikes women.
Creating Space for Everyone on Bikes Women Trails
Beyond personal challenges, I want to support organizations expanding equitable access to this sport. Seeing mostly similar people on trails shows we have work to do.
I support organizations like Friends on Bikes, fostering community for women, trans, and gender non-conforming BIPOC on bikes.
I stand with Black Girls Do Bike, focused on representation and addressing barriers for Black women and girls in cycling.
I listen to and act on the wisdom of Diversify Outdoors, advocating for truly inclusive outdoor recreation.
I want trails filled with diverse people, backgrounds, body types, and stories enriching the community.
Join me?
Related articles:
6 Steps to Becoming a Mama who Mountain Bikes
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