Decorah Human Powered Trails, Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team, and Decorah Parks and Recreation Team Up to host International Women’s Mountain Biking Day Ride on April 30.
A variety of Decorah organizations will be hosting a ride to celebrate International Women’s Mountain Biking Day on April 30th at 5:45 PM at Carlson Park. All riders who identify as women or girls are welcome to meet at the Decorah Rotary Club Binzebo Trail Hub with bikes with wider tires, helmets, and water bottles for the ride. Designed to be appropriate for everyone from those who are new to or curious about mountain biking and don’t know where to start to those who are experienced and looking for a good hard ride, the two-mile outing will have some “challenge by choice” elements for more adventurous riders. The ride will include both new and established trails at Carlson Park, with the option to extend the distance for riders to go further.
The event will be organized and led by Decorah Human Powered Trails members Melissa Fuhrmann and Johanna Stayskal. “Mountain biking is a great way to get into the woods and connect with nature all while reducing stress, improving health, and building confidence and social connection,” said Fuhrmann, who is a primary care nurse practitioner by trade. “Having a space for women and girls to ride and learn in a less intimidating environment where they feel safer to ask questions and try new things is important.”
Statistics show that confidence drops by 30% for girls between ages 8-14, while their male counterparts’ confidence is 27% higher. Girls’ fear of failure increases from 18% to 45% between ages 12-13. The results are women and girls being more risk averse and developing perfectionist tendencies, and that girls benefit from opportunities that are separate from boys.
International Women’s Mountain Biking Day was started in 2018 by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) to engage more women in mountain biking and encourage them to gather together. In Decorah, a recently named IMBA Trail Town that boasts 15 females on the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team, an opportunity for these girls and their female adult role models to ride together is especially important.
Fuhrmann, who is also a coach for the team, said “Initially I didn’t feel like I would be a good person to be a coach since I’m neither the fastest nor most skilled rider. However, I know that I want girls to see people who look like them getting outside in nature and having fun.”
More Information
- Brecka Putnam, PR Team
- brecka.putnam@gmail.com
- More Information