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Wheelin' Women

© Cameron Walker

"Yikes!" I skidded down the trail, shot across the road in front of a blue Suburban, and tumbled into a blackberry bush. So began my summer of mountain biking. But yours can be less prickly, and more fun. With the rise of women's biking groups, specialized equipment, and instruction geared toward women, anyone from beginner to expert can enjoy and excel at mountain biking.

For the beginner, instruction may help to quell first-time jitters. Many organizations offer intensive camps ranging from weekend crash-courses (not literally, one hopes) to a week or more of intensive riding and instruction for those who want to immerse themselves in the sport. Many ski resorts, including California's Mammoth (http://www.mammoth-mountain.com/00summer... and Vermont's Killington (http://www.killington.com/) transform winter's groomers and tree runs into summer bike trails. These resorts offer lessons in "ski school" style, with lessons grouped by ability. Dirt Camp (http://www.dirtcamp.com/) leads instructional camps across the country, with women's only camps in Moab and North Carolina. Local groups often provide instruction for all levels, requiring less time and travel. The Marin County, CA-based Women's Mountain Bike and Tea Society (http://www.wombats.org/) offers instruction in the summer, as well as moderating an online billboard of rides nationwide. Bike shops may also organize rides, instruction, and clinics on bike maintenance and repair--as important as learning techniques on the bike. In the Tahoe area, The Backcountry advertises weekly rides for women of all abilities. The Missing Link Bicycle Cooperative in Berkeley, CA holds free repair clinics on a regular basis. In your area, check with a local bike shop or sporting goods store to see what events are taking place.

Getting involved in a new sport inevitably requires investing in new (or used) gear. For the aspiring mountain biker, the first major purchase is usually the bike, which can range from $200 for a simple, no-frills model to thousands of dollars for the ride with the latest in design. For many years, women of all shapes and sizes rode on bikes designed primarily for men. Now, several companies have developed bikes more in tune with a woman's needs. Terry Bicycles (http://www.terrybicycles.com) has several women-specific road bikes and hybrids, and plans to come out with a full mountain bike in 2001. Trek (http://www.trekbikes.com/) makes several Women's Specific Design (WSD) models. From the shocks to the saddle to the handlebars, these bikes are designed for a woman's frame, dimensions, and lower center of gravity. Although not all women need a "women's" bike, the companies provide a place to start your search for the perfect ride. As one Terry rep said, "[It's like] starting in the women's department. . . then

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