I’m ready for my lessons! Loving my Specialized Enduro.
Whoever said that women don’t ride freeride or downhill bikes and trails is plain-old wrong. After two days at Crankworx, I can honestly say I’ve never seen so many women and girls on big bikes in my life. From moms and daughters to grandmothers and from total beginners to the best in the world, women on bikes are everywhere. This place has something for everyone.
Our first SRAM Gold Rusch Tour rides went out with groups splitting up to work on either XC or DH skills. The XC groups worked on technical climbing up roots and rocks while the DH groups worked on jumping. Momentum for our SRAM Gold Rusch Tour rides and parties is growing fast and furious. Women cannot believe that our clinics are free – yes, FREE. We have daily rides leaving from the SRAM tent and the buzz makes me think we’ll be really busy these next few days.
I’m definitely out of my riding element here, but the community and support from the women is too great to care much. I’m hanging out with DH royalty and finding that one minute they’re throwing their bodies in the air and down huge cliffs and the next they’re smiling and sweet, showing us the lines on the easier stuff. Everyone just wants to share their experience and make sure that women are having a good time on their bikes.
Claire Bouchard, Micayla Gatto and Emmeline Ragot. Crazy good riders.
The chicks here rip. They also tend to underestimate themselves by saying things like, “I’m not very good, can I still come?” Then they tell me about the jumps they do or the runs they’ve come down and I realize that I’m the one who would be left in the dust.
Me? I’m hoping to head up into the park for my first real DH experience with Katie Holden for a personal lesson to dip my toe in the water. I’m nervous, but SRAM GRT is all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new so I’m going to practice what I preach.
None of this would be possible without our amazing sponsors who have made the SRAM Gold Rusch Tour possible. So thank you to: SRAM, Specialized, GU, Beyond Coastal, Smith Optics, Buff, Light and Motion, Carmichael Training Systems and SOLE for getting behind us and supporting female riders from the grassroots to the pros.
