For Whom BELL Tolls

Here in New England we were ecstatic to win the Bell Built Grant for a new flow trail on Burke Mountain in 2013. It was something the entire community of mountain bikers would enjoy. Bell has continued to award grants for trail expansions since, but for 2016 they have a new, profound focus, and it's YOU!

Oh yeah, ladies! The spotlight is on you. Bell has seemingly heard the cries, strike that, screams of the women regarding the industry and it's lack of focus on us. The industry that has exploited women for advertising purposes, published shameful marketing campaigns (Superior Bikes), and straight up ignored the existence of the female mountain biker (great way to promote your race, btw).

Finally, the Bell tolls, and hopefully the sun is setting on the controversy women have been fighting so passionately against in the cycling industry. 

"For 2016, Bell will be identifying 5 women in 5 towns to help us achieve our mission to get more women riding on dirt more often...."

Who else better to grow the women's industry, than the women themselves? Bell wants to help make that happen. Bell has stepped up to the plate with more than just a marketing campaign, but a true Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is grassroots program.

"The Bell Joy Ride Program is designed to inspire and enable female mountain bikers with regular, structured, fun and social rides that appeal to all levels of riders. This is a space where female riders can enjoy both challenge and camaraderie in a non-race oriented environment."

Is this for real!!? I could not be more stoked about this! As a rider. As a woman. As a leader of my local mountain bike organization. As an ambassador of our sport. As someone who is constantly promoting more women on bikes! This is like the planets have aligned. 

Well, maybe. We are a little behind here on the East Coast, especially in New England. I have friends throughout the US organizing amazing women's events with amazingly supportive communities, and often realize how far ahead they are in this movement.

A short winter trip out West this past year confirmed my notion when I rode with women of various skills and time on the bike. They were growing their group rides much faster. The only variable is the amount of women's programs available, and continuing to rotate 

                                                                                   through their area during the year. 

We need more women focused programs and rides! 

We need the help!

Now, it's not that we don't have ANY women's programs or rides. We have several outstanding leaders here in New England that have been doing a great job for the past few years, but we need more.

Are you a leader? Do you want to help? 

You can apply to be one of the five Bell Joy Ride Ambassadors. Bell will be accepting application through November 1, 2015 and deciding whom will represent the Joy Ride program by December 1, 2015.

The Monopoly Effect - Group Rides

Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.

                   Just TRY!

It's always exciting and inspiring to see a chick out on the trails ripping it up. Being a girl, it can be intimidating trying to keep up with the fearless antics of the boys. Hell, I see male riders who are intimidated by the maneuvers some of the more technically skilled guys throw down without any thought. Regardless, none of this should stop anyone from trying.

Men seem to have enough ego to challenge themselves most of the time, but the women seem to have more of a monopoly effect. One rider can control the actions of the entire group. One girl second guesses herself, and the rest of the group folds. It's like a Get Out of Jail Free card.

     

       Do one thing every day that scares you.

I, myself, have fallen victim to this conundrum. The downfall of this group behavior is, 'Get Out of Jail Free' equals 'Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200.'

If the group stalls itself from trying, no one in the group will progress.

   

What's stopping you?

When I started riding, I started with a group of women. Honestly, I saw what the guys were doing and knew I was not ready for any of that yet. So I worked on my skills with the girls; my lines, my climbing, my fear of bridges and hatred of rocks... We were learning and developing our skills together, until it stalled.

If we were intimidated by something, we all skipped it. There was no mentor. No leader. No coach. It was, "If you're not comfortable, just walk it."

If you're not falling, you're not trying!

I eventually outgrew that mentality though. I did not want to "walk it". I needed to find a way to get out of my comfort zone and stretch my skills. I needed to learn from those who dared to try and boy did I find the right crew. A few fearless, free riding, down hilling, "That's insane. Let's try it", guys.

I tagged along trying to learn, trying to follow. I would hike-a-bike as they floated over rock gardens with ease. I would carefully find a path to walk my bike down the huge rollers while they went over the edge without even looking. I would listen to them tease me about getting my tire over the log they didn't even touch. I would watch, I would try, I would fall, but most importantly, I would learn. 

Know your limitations & then defy them.

I love riding with the guys. I love riding with people who challenge me. I love conquering obstacles and new challenges. I love feeling accomplished. The challenge is EXACTLY why I love mountain biking. It keeps challenging me. It only gets mundane if you stop trying. There is always something to conquer. There are always limits to defy.

                                            

                                                 Stop worrying!

However much I love riding with the guys. I enjoy riding with the girls too. It's different; the comraderie, kudos and genuine excitement. It's thrilling to watch them conquer new things, challenge themselves and cheer one another on. It's probably the same satisfaction the guys get when I finally master skills they display with ease. 

The Monopoly Effect in a group is the paralyzing factor though. The dynamics of women's group rides needs to adjust. No more 'Get Out of Jail Free'. No more 'Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200.'

This can happen in any group ride, not just with women's. However, I think women's rides are more prone to it due to the natural lack of testosterone and ego persuasion residing within most women. 

Break the cycle. If someone conquered the obstacle the rest of the group stalled at, ask them to do it again. Don't just press on. Ask them to lead you through it. Try to conquer a new challenge each time you ride. Mix up your riding by going out with another group of riders. Find a partner or crew that will challenge you, even if you have to hike-a-bike some of the time. 

Stop worrying about what could go wrong. Start focusing on what could go right.