The 3rd annual women only freeride competition went off the other weekend at Glentress Freeride Park.
I think it sounds like a great event to get more girls involved in the sport. Niamh Allum sent us this report:
Pictures: Simon Allum and Gordon Sheill
Words: Niamh Allum
Whilst Brendan and Gee were battling it out at Llangollen, another gravity event was underway – Air Maiden 3, the women only freeride competition at Glentress Freeride Park. This year there were 40 women (including guest appearances from Superwoman and Po from the Tellytubbies). From early on Saturday morning it was clear that the bar had been raised from last year  … Details & Pictures
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… I first competed in this event 2 years ago at Les Deux Alpes as Team Wales with Ralph ‘Wrecking Ball’ Jones and Michael ‘Zeb’ Gray. It was a tough weekend with crashes, punctures and we all found it incredibly physical. It was an amazing format with so much quality riding packed into the weekend but we all said we would not do it again unless we were properly prepared both physically and with our bike set up and spares.
So I’m kind of kicking myself that just the other week when asked if I wanted to go over and race the 2010 Enduro des Nations with Duncan Ferris (DMR) and Martin Astley (Sunn) I said yes and we sped head first into the abyss with zilch preparation once again. By the end of the weekend we had worked up a pretty solid list of excuses, wrong tyres, too many clothes, not enough clothes, no gears, everyone else was cheating, too many pain au chocolates and of course that one that you can never hide behind; not fit enough … Details & Pictures
www.stokednews.com
Squaw Valley’s renowned mountain bike park will re-open on July 16 for the first time in almost a decade. The bike park will be open Friday through Sunday from 10:40 am to 7 pm starting July 16 to August 21 —remaining open through mid-September with an adjusted schedule.
Previously the venue for the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Fat Tire Festival and Downhill Mania events, Squaw Valley’s bike park crew has worked tirelessly to increase the flow of the trails and incorporate more freeride elements using the mountain’s natural terrain. Bikers can … Details