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Roam Bike Fest: Day Three

Oct 31, 2017
by Emily  
After two days of riding in the desert, we have gotten our bearings, adjusted to the "elevation", heat, and brushed up on our Shredona terrain skills. We were ready to take on the last day of Roam Bike Fest and we made the most of it. Today we planned to set out on an epic adventure ride, but first we needed to pick up a lesson from SRAM and the Kona Supremes.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

SRAM put on a drivetrain clinic this morning, updating us on the knowledge of their recent upgrades on X-Sync 2 technology and drivetrain systems. Michelle Dykstra and Lindsey Watson gave an impressive presentation on why the shape of our chainring teeth is important for chain retention, shedding mud and dirt, and durability. If you had asked me before this clinic if I cared about the shape of my teeth on my chainring, I would have said no... Now with hands-on learning, my eyes are opened and you can literally see and feel the connectivity of the X-Sync 2 chainring and chain.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

The Kona Supremes gave a workshop/discussion with ladies about what the heck enduro racing is, how it works, and encouragement to give this fun new sport a try.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

Once filled with new knowledge, we were ready for our epic ride on the famous and intriguing High Line Trail.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

This trail is only 10 miles long and 1,020 feet in elevation but takes about 4 hours to complete. With everything from classic Sedona technical climbs, swells of red slickrock, hike a bike ridges, exposed cliffs, loose steep chutes, and creek bed river terrain, this trail is a very unique desert epic.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

After a challenging breathtaking descent, High Line dumped us out in the bottom of a canyon where a much-needed river break was needed.

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

With that we reached the last hours of the weekend festivities. Overall the weekend was even more incredible than I expected. The festival's balance of riding, partying, teaching, and relaxing was spot on. The vibe of the weekend was very chill but with lots going on. Giving ladies a chance to enjoy themselves and not follow a specific schedule. Participants could pick and choose what scheduled events they wanted to attend, when they wanted to relax, when they wanted to start drinking, and when to ride their freaking faces off!

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Katie Lozancich

Huge thank you to Ash and the Roam Events squad!

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Vendors did a great job welcoming ladies into their brands, meeting their amazing employees and ambassadors, and also letting ladies demo bikes, try on clothes, and demo helmets!

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

This lucky lady even got to bring home the demo Hail she fell in love with here at Roam Bike Fest, thanks to Liv Cycling!

Roam Bike Fest Day Three

Until next year!! If you somehow aren't convinced already, you need to block out these dates on your calendar for next year! You do not want to suffer another harsh episode of FOMO (fear of missing out) that you are having as you read and look at all these radical photos.

Brevard North Carolina May 11–13

Sedona, Arizona October 26–28


Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Roam Bike Fest Day Three
Photo: Brenda Ernst

Thank you to Ash for letting me cover the daily events here!
Emily Oppliger signing off from Roam Bike Fest 2017

www.roambikefest.com/


MENTIONS: @oppliemi2



Author Info:
oppliemi2 avatar

Member since Apr 15, 2014
6 articles

10 Comments
  • 2 0
 I decided to rearrange some of my plans at the last minute in order to be at roam fest and I'm so glad I did! It was cool how blurred the line between industry and participant was--and I mean that in the best way. You'd be chatting with someone who just introduced them self by their first name on a group ride or around the fire pit and find out later that they are the head of marking or something like that at one of the bike companies. Everyone was just so chill and welcoming.
  • 2 0
 Bummer this article didn't feature the attendees as much as the hosts. I was in Sedona that weekend and it was so great to see so many women from all walks of life, ages, backgrounds, and riding abilities pedaling around on the trails. There were definitely some rad women from the industry there, but women mtb companies need to learn to market to the everyday jane. Not all riders want to race enduro or xc or jump. It would have been cool to promote the everyday, regular peiple who attended to make tgis event possible. No disrespect to the author or organizers of roam fest, I hear it was a great time. It'd just be cool to hear about the people who weren't in the private photo shoots and exclusive rides. The real story is the HUGE community of ladies who took time off work to travel to this event and put themselves out there, even if they don't ride at a pro level. I have a feeling there are a lot of ladies out there who would connect and feel more comfortable with seeing everyday girls having fun on bikes at all levels, then just reading about the pros.
  • 4 2
 I just find it very interesting that Juliana and other brands were essentially boxed out of both the articles and instead they were BOTH basically all about Liv/kona kinda shows who is giving who moneys lol
  • 4 0
 Hi the-mnt-life,

As the event organizer, I can assure you any boxing out was unintentional. Juliana was present at our event, and did a fantastic job sending out demos to over 50% of our participants. They even sent their entire Free Agent team to shred with us. Just wanted to give props to all the support we received, and thanks for the heads up to make sure everyone makes it into our coverage for future festivals.
  • 2 0
 Hmmmm...interesting response since the above article has pictures of Juliana, Specialized, Yeti, Bell, and SRAM.
  • 2 0
 This is so stinkin' cool.
  • 1 0
 Emily, you are living the dream! Great work! Hope to ride with you next season in Copper Harbor!!!
  • 1 0
 Ha! Kona bikes are just more fun.
  • 1 1
 So many talented female riders out there and I'm constantly being passed by them. haha
  • 1 0
 So where's the info on the new teeth design?
Or is this not really new?







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