How Air Maiden came about ...

After competing in the women’s only freeride competition at Crankworx in 2007, which saw 40 plus women from all over North America take part in two days of freeride activities, from coaching events to the gala competition, I decided it was about time we had a similar event back home in the UK.

OK, so Whistler and wider BC have way more opportunities for freeriding in terms of big hucks and drop offs, but, having competed with the best over there and managed a respectable 4th in the pro category, I figured we could still have a successful event over here.

In recent years, the Tweed Valley has seen an increase in the types of tracks that are now being referred to as ‘freeride tracks’ with bigger tabletops, drops etc and there is no doubt that the trail builders have been influenced by what they’ve seen and experienced across the pond. They’re not to everyone’s taste I suppose, but I for one am happy to see a wider variety of trails being built that test your nerve and allow for greater progression.

Having spent a year living in BC, where racing is not nearly as popular and consequently well organised as over here, but where they have so many well built and challenging trails, plus the ability to shuttle themselves up the often beat up logging roads, I got into the frame of mind of wanting to ride my bike more but race less.

The addition of the ‘freeride skills’ park up at Glentress has certainly proved a major hit with mountain bikers, you just have to head up to the Buzzards Nest on a Saturday afternoon to see just how popular this type of riding is becoming, with kids as young as 6 pulling off their first tabletops up there.

What you don’t see much of however, is women sessioning the jumps or trying the wall rides or drop offs. I’m often the only female up there, hanging about with the youngsters. There are plenty of women mountain biking, so maybe it’s a case of being intimidated by all these teenagers pulling no handers that puts them off.

So that’s why I decided to organise a women’s specific event here – to give women of all ages and abilities the opportunity to spend the weekend learning new skills that will equip them to ride and enjoy ‘freeride’ tracks whilst mingling with other ladies.

Its well known that women do well in groups with other women and can often inspire each other to try something they may previously thought they were incapable of. That’s the idea behind this and why we’ve got exclusive use of the Freeride Park once again for the weekend.

I’ve managed to line up some coaching with some of the country’s best riders and coaches who will demonstrate everything from how to get both wheels of the ground and how to confidently go off a drop off to pulling X-ups and suicides. And the BBQ on Saturday after a hard day’s pushing your limits should provide plenty of opportunities to mingle with the other participants, make new friends and share stories of newly acquired skills.

The idea of the Air Maiden comp is to encourage those who have participated in the coaching clinics, to showcase their newly found skills in a fun, laid back event where there will be spot prizes to give away. It’s also a chance to show the public the level of skill that exists in female mountain bikers across the country and to demonstrate that us Brits are up there with the best of them in terms of freeride skill.

The format will see each rider ride down three designated judging areas where they will be scored on style, fluidity, amplitude etc. They can go as big or as small as they feel comfortable with, the idea being that everyone enters and has fun.

Last year was a great success with over 40 women between the ages of 13 and 50 taking part across the weekend and, despite the weather on the Saturday, everyone left with a great sense of achievement.

So hopefully 2010 will be another great success.

I hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you all in June!

Lynne