When early last year Natayla Garden set up a Facebook page to see if any women wanted to join her and a friend on a beginners’ mountain bike ride, little did she imagine that she was starting something quite significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Natayla, her friend and 11 other women met at the local Bacos trails in Walmer Forest Reserve for a social ride, everyone wanted to know when the next ride was happening, Natalya said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It certainly seemed that women’s social MTB rides were needed so Natalya met with Paula Ewing and Ella Bourke, who had experience in the relevant fields of thought, to brainstorm ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After approaching the Castlemaine Rocky Riders MTB Club, Natayla was invited along to a committee meeting to discuss the trio’s ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee was supportive and suggested organising the women\u2019s social ride through the club, and hence the monthly ride was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We had four ride leaders at each ride, so we were able to cater for two different groups of ability and fitness,” Natalya said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last December, Natalya joined the Castlemaine Rocky Riders committee with a focus on creating more opportunities for women and girls to feel included in the local MTB community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In 2022 we have a full year\u2019s calendar of monthly social rides for women planned,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They aim to offer a safe and supportive environment for teenage girls, women, gender non-conforming people … everyone.
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“Rides are targeted at beginner to intermediate riders. We have a no-drop policy, which means that no one is left behind.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women are also encouraged to join in on the club\u2019s regular social rides, which are open to any gender and age. Each ride is pitched at a different skill level or ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We also have junior rides, which parents and carers are encouraged to attend,” Natalya said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n