PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN) — Indoor bike park The Lumberyard MTB will host its inaugural Sugar Showdown Women’s Weekend, a riding instruction event and competition for female riders of all skill levels, from Jan. 25-27. Riders will be split into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups and will learn riding techniques, pumping, jumping, drops, wheel lifts, cornering, railing and berms.
Instruction is provided by Sweetlines U.S. and Canadian pro instructors Kat Sweet, Tammy Donahugh, Angi Weston, Lindsey Vories, Cortney Knudson, Gale Dahlager and Lorraine Blancher. Sweetlines’ mission is to build confidence, create community and promote stewardship through educational mountain biking programs that empower women and youth.
“We are building the Sisterhood of Shred with this event,” said instructor Sweet, founder of Sweetlines and a 25-year mountain biking veteran. “By providing a super-supportive environment with the best coaches in North America, women are able to push their own personal boundaries while having tons of fun.”
On the evening of Friday, Jan. 25, riders will have the opportunity to meet the instructors and other women taking the clinic. On Saturday, the team of coaches will offer workshops and classes concentrated on jumps, drops, wall rides and berms. On Sunday, riders can show off what they learned by competing for different prizes during the “Pump and Jump” competition.
The clinic costs $150 and is limited to 60 women. The competition is an additional $30. Event sponsors include Shimano, Teva, Race Face, Deity, Nutcase and Pivot Cycles.