Ride Like a Girl Now Accepting Applications from BC Athletes for 2022

PRESS RELEASE: Ride Like a Girl

Ride Like a Girl is now accepting applications from BC athletes for the 2022 mentorship program. This season, up to twenty female mountain bike athletes between the ages of 13 to 17 years old will have the opportunity to be matched with outstanding, established mentors in their cycling discipline.

Athletes selected for the program will have the opportunity to receive guidance, racing advice and have an opportunity to meet and ride with their mentors, as well as participating in a variety of events and skill clinics.

"Ride Like A Girl is fueled by the value of connection. We know how much it means to these young athletes to have a space where they can be authentic in a supportive and accepting environment. I love watching them try their hardest, excel and meet their goals and then laugh and goof off together when they're not dancing under the lights. The relationship building with their mentors and other athletes and their contributions to their local bike communities provides the girls with experiences that promote meaning, support and connection," said Ride Like a Girl Board Member, Lisa Ludwig.


"We have such great momentum leading into 2022. Last year's participants shared that they would love to have more opportunities to connect and ride with each other and we are hoping to have more freedom to connect in person this year. I look forward to the girls getting together to ride at our skills camps and socially, and maybe even our Crankworx picnic! It is just so great when the athletes seek each other out at races or on their own free time to ride, chat and connect," Ludwig added.



"The number of girls in our sport is growing quickly and the level of talent and skill is unprecedented! They aren't just girls on bikes anymore, but solid competitors in our industry and pushing the limits. Athletes must work hard, stay dedicated and focused on achieving their goals. We take pride in creating a safe space and community to gain confidence, to learn what is possible and to gain knowledge by inspiring and supporting one another. Ride Like a Girl is a program for youth to discover their potential and strengthen themselves in preparation for the rest of their lives," said CJ Hendren of GravityMTB and Ride Like a Girl Board Member.


"One of the best things ever is to witness the learning, the growth of the individual and the confidence that develops both on and off the bike. We are always most excited about our athletes making connections in our community with like-minded girls who love bikes while creating long-lasting and supportive friendships," Hendren added.

“The skills clinics were my favourite part of the program this year, having organized rides with other girls on Vancouver Island was really fun. These opportunities were a great way to meet and get to know some of the girls I race with better,” said Kimberly Chen, 15, a XC, Enduro and Cyclocross athlete from Victoria.


"I really enjoyed meeting other talented riders and getting paired up with an amazing mentor who showed me her local trails and shared race knowledge with me," says Sophia Ervington, 16, a downhill and enduro athlete from Powell River.

Athletes have the opportunity to connect with other athletes their age, be matched with a mentor, and participate in events such as group rides, trail days and skills clinics. Ride Like a Girl (RLG) also offers monthly online mentor chats covering a range of topics from sports nutrition to mental preparation, sponsorship, goal setting, strength training, bike maintenance and much more. These chats enable athletes from across the Province from Fernie to Kamloops to Squamish to Victoria, BC to hear from industry experts and connect with one another and program mentors.

"Ride Like a Girl is a great program that allows female athletes to connect personally with other like minded females. The program provides the opportunity for the girls to ask questions so they can reflect and grow within the sport mentally and physically. Having been a mentor for the last two years, I have been able to connect and work with a young athlete who is continuing on her path as an enduro cyclist. I have watched her gain confidence, navigate her cycling disciplines, and develop a race mentality. It is amazing to see the determination she has to attain her athletic goals, all while completing high school and establishing her post secondary career path. Deep relationships have forged and I am so grateful to have been a part of her life and the RLG program," says Dawn Anderson, a cross-country mentor.




Among Ride Like a Girl’s (RLG) 2021 mentors were well-known mountain bike athletes Georgia Astle, Lorraine Blancher, Kelli Sherbinin, Karaleen Gioia, Emily Slaco, Kelly Roloff, Crystal Townsend, and Kyleigh Stewart for downhill, and Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (ALN), Jo Peters, and Brittany Falconer for enduro. For cross-country, mentors included Sandra Walter, Trish Sinclair, Holly Henry, Kirsten Sweetland, Dayna Weaward, Cynthia Young, Kim Shopland, Joele Guynup, Jenny Leblanc, Sarah Coney, Dawn Anderson, Tanya Allen, Elyse Nieuwold, and Serena Tasca. Each of Ride Like a Girl's mentors are accomplished athletes with many years’ experience in the mountain bike industry and many with extensive racing backgrounds ranging from racing provincially and nationally to competing on the world stage.

"The young athletes are so inspiring and Ride Like a Girl provides such an incredible platform and support for them to grow! I love seeing the connection that develops between all the girls throughout the program. The sky's the limit!," said downhill mentor Karaleen Gioia.

"I have mentored with Ride like a Girl for a couple years now and I have seen young girls grow up and blossom into all kinds of incredible riders. I think a program providing a space for young women to connect in the world of biking is extremely valuable. Nothing puts a smile on my face like running into girls that I’ve mentored or connected with at an event out on the trails," says Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (ALN), World Cup Enduro Racer and Rocky Mountain Factory rider.




"Ride Like a Girl is such an awesome program that provides opportunities for girls who shred. A special thank you to my mentor Sandra Walter for sharing her knowledge and for the fun rides," says Zoe Morris, a XC and Enduro athlete from the North Shore.


New this year, Ride Like a Girl is opening up an Ambassador Program for former program athletes that want to give back to the cycling community and encourage other girls to mountain bike. In 2021, Emmy Lan, an Enduro/DH racer on the Commencal Team, became Ride Like a Girl's first Ambassador. As part of her role she offered free skills clinics for younger girls in the Comox Valley and provided a mentor chat focused on her experience racing World Cups in Europe.





Ride Like a Girl is accepting applications until February 27, 2022 for both the Athlete and Ambassador Programs. Individuals applying as an athlete to the program must be between the ages of 13 to 17 years old, live in British Columbia, and have some racing/freeriding experience or be actively involved in their local cycling community. A passion for community involvement and experience including coaching, trail building, helping with races and events, and other volunteer pursuits are an asset for applicants. The Ride Like a Girl Ambassador Program is open to former program athletes who have a demonstrated commitment to volunteering in the cycling community, and are a positive role model for younger females.

For more info and to apply, please visit ridelikeagirl.ca

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