Lakewood, CO.— The Yeti Cycles VIDA MTB Series presented by Shimano launches their 2019 schedule and registration. Dedicated to women's mountain bike skills clinics and programming, VIDA remains focused on creating accessible programming for women seeking experiences to elevate their riding, push boundaries, and most importantly find community.
"Over 4,000 women have pedaled through VIDA clinics and programming since 2013, and every year we strive to create new opportunities that break down barriers, explore new riding destinations, increase the visibility of women riders everywhere, and build community connections," said Sarah Rawley, founder of the VIDA MTB Series. "We are also very excited to work with longstanding and new partners that extend how and where we reach women."
Shimano joins VIDA as presenting sponsor in cooperation with Yeti Cycles' seventh year of title sponsorship. Ergon Bike, Smith Optics, Skratch Labs and Wild Balance Jewelry return, and Thule joins the ranks of industry-leaders who support women's mountain biking.
"Shimano is thrilled to support the VIDA MTB Series in its effort to grow and educate the women's mountain bike community. We are excited to take part in VIDA's efforts to empower more women to explore all the benefits mountain biking brings," said Megan Duehring, Shimano Bike Marketing Specialist.
VIDA's flagship series of one- and two-day clinics anchors the season with seven destinations and eight clinics. Additionally, the Rider to Racer Program will continue to grow in its second year of bringing an entirely new category of first-time women enduro racers to select events in Colorado.
Sedona MTB Festival (Sedona, AZ): March 2
Lunch Loops (Grand Junction, CO): April 27
Valmont Bike Park (Boulder, CO): May 11
Beti Bike Bash (Lakewood, CO): June 1
Snowmass Bike Park (Snowmass Village, CO): August 17-18
Purgatory Resort (Durango, CO): September 7-8
Golden Giddyup (Golden, CO): September 28
Valmont Bike Park (Boulder, CO): October 19
The VIDA MTB Series continues its five-year streak as the women's hub of the Sedona MTB Festival in Sedona, Ariz., March 1-3, offering a one-day clinic on Saturday and additional activities throughout the festival weekend including yoga, tech talks, and group rides, open to all festival attendees to join.
New for 2019 is a one-day clinic in Grand Junction, Colo. in cahoots with Boneshaker Adventures, on the infamous Lunch Loop trails of the Western Slope. The clinic will also be skills prep for the Grand Enduro race on June 1-2.
"We are incredibly excited to work with Dawn Cooper, owner of Boneshaker Adventures and VIDA coach. Her shared energy and mission to empower riders of all ages and abilities will amplify the experience for women and girls, ages six and up, to build skills and confidence at our favorite desert destination," said Rachel Gottfried, VIDA MTB Series director of operations. "We also look forward to a second year of collaborating with EveryPedal MTB in both Grand Junction and Durango, to provide an affordable and fun clinic experience for young girls."
VIDA returns to Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, Colo. for a spring and fall clinic, May 11 and October 19. Participants of the spring session will have access to the full gamut of vendors to test bikes and gear at the Sports Garage Front Range Demo Day. The fall session offers an additional opportunity to build upon a summer's worth of riding and progress.
Local group rides, shop nights, and trail maintenance in partnership with COMBA (Colorado Mountain Bike Association) ramp up in March and April on the Front Range — check out VIDA's calendar on www.vidamtb.com for details.
"COMBA is dedicated to the development and preservation of great mountain biking experiences through outreach, advocacy and stewardship," said Brittany Greer, COMBA Women's Program manager and VIDA Ambassador. "These values align with VIDA's commitment to connecting women to the outdoors in a sustainable way."
VIDA's sister event and roots of creating community events, the Yeti Beti Bike Bash will celebrate a decade of women's mountain bike racing on June 2. VIDA will host a one-day clinic on Saturday for women to learn fundamental skills and race strategy before race day.
"When we put on the first Beti Bike Bash in 2010, never in our wildest dreams did we think it was going create waves that to this day has made mountain bike racing accessible to thousands of women and young girls," said Amy Thomas, co-founder of the Beti Bike Bash and manager of Team Yeti Beti.
When the summer days feel endless, VIDA heads to the high country to explore Colorado's premier bike parks — Snowmass Bike Park, August 17-18 and Purgatory Resort, September 7-8 — for two-days of lift-accessed and trail riding, on top of healthy meals, yoga, tech talks and happy hour socializing.
VIDA will partner with Big Mountain Enduro for their season finale in Snowmass, Colo. to culminate the Rider to Racer Program. Women will have the opportunity to sign up for a stock two-day clinic or one-day clinic/one-day race experience. The program will officially launch April 2019.
In the fall VIDA returns to its backyard trails for a one-day clinic on September 28, part of the Golden Giddyup, a community-sponsored bike event based out of Golden, Colo. Each clinic registration donates $15 to the Giddyup Trail Team trail stewardship program.
Above and beyond learning skills at clinics and events, participants have the opportunity to demo gear and bikes from Yeti Cycles, Smith Optics, and Ergon.
"We are thrilled to continue a partnership with the VIDA MTB Series after a successful run in 2018. With their goal of getting more women riding more confidently on bikes, it's a perfect avenue to introduce the conversation of how a proper saddle and grips can play into their enjoyment on the bike," said Karen Jarchow, Ergon Bike assistant marketing director. "This matches Ergon's mission of helping the cycling world ride for longer and more frequently without pain."
The VIDA Ambassador Program will open the application process in February 2019. "VIDA Ambassadors make up the fabric of our network. They represent our core values and keep us connected and grounded to our mission," Rawley said. "Over the years, a reoccurring theme that has grown within VIDA is the cycle of the student becoming the teacher. There is more to this story and we can't wait to share it in 2019."
Registration is open for all events at www.vidamtb.com. If you are interested in applying to coach for the VIDA MTB Series, email sarah@vidamtb.com. For more information, email info@vidamtb.com or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.
ABOUT VIDA MTB Series — The VIDA MTB Series stems from 15 combined years of producing events that connect people through bikes and experiences. At VIDA, our mission is to foster a passion among women for mountain biking through the highest quality instruction and to create a lifelong community of riders. We are focused on inspiring a movement that promotes cycling as a way of improving lives. We will achieve this by organizing events that communicate our philosophy and reflect our values and thread together a network of ambassadors who share our passion on a deeper level in communities around the world.
