Two Williams Lake women are welcoming other ladies into the mountain biking community.
Dena Baumann and Beth Holden have been organizing the first annual mountain bike festival exclusively for women in Williams Lake.
Ride Your Ride Bike Fest will take place on May 10, 11 and 12, 2024, including an evening social, riding clinics and group rides.
The festival filled all their available spots in five days, with a waitlist of 17 women hoping to score a spot.
“That was really exciting for us to see,” said Baumann.
“Obviously people want to learn how to bike and come together and celebrate.”
Holden said they purposely kept the event small this year in order to ensure they could host a successful first event, with only 48 spots.
Over Mother’s Day Weekend, the events will kick off with a Friday night social at the Tourism Discovery Centre. Saturday will be a day of clinics, food, and group rides. On Sunday, group rides will allow other women to join from the community, with details on how this will work still to come.
Meant to build community among women and the greater mountain biking community both women wanted to see more women able to enjoy the trails Williams Lake and area is known for.
“To people who are maybe outside of that circle, it can seem very intimidating, even though I know it is a very welcoming and open community,” said Beth Holden.
Holden thanked supporters who have been working hard to make the event possible, including the Williams Lake Cycling Club, the city of Williams Lake, and many businesses, including both local bike shops. She specifically thanked Coun. Joan Flaspohler for her support of cycling and active transportation in the community.
She said the festival has also been an opportunity to highlight and work with some women-owned businesses in the community in the process.
READ MORE: Ladies mountain bike fest will be first-ever for Williams Lake
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