PRESS RELEASE: Norco BicyclesElevating rider experience beyond the race itself, the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA) launched its Fiver series a while back, and it’s quickly become a staple of the North Shore riding scene thanks to its quality, and apres-race social time. With races held every other Summer Thursday, and the renewed excitement around fun and community, participation has been blossoming. However, the number of women out on the course remains relatively small.
Norco Women’s Ambassador Mel Schumacher noticed this and, as an active member of the North Vancouver riding community, she set out on a mission to get more women out to the events.
| The women’s turnout for the Fivers is anywhere from 5-20% and I wanted to see if we could get a better turnout because we all know there are a ton of women riders out there shredding up the trails and having a blast.—Mel Schumacher |
Her hope is to help women elevate their skills and enthusiasm on a bike through grassroots rides and events. She saw the participation number at Fiver events as an indicator of how much work could be done to encourage more women.
Recalling her first ever Fiver, Schumacher added some insight into why some riders are shying away from such events.
| The mood was intense, the competition was real, and I remember riding down Crinkum Crankum hoping to keep the rubber side down! The NSMBA tries to keep the competition down and don’t hold official standings - but the nerves and competition usually prevail when putting so many people together.—Mel Schumacher |
After seeing other riding hotspots develop their own female-centered events to introduce a racing environment while reducing the intimidation factor, she decided it was time the North Shore did something too.
| I actually wrote out an email to the NSMBA describing my role as an ambassador for Norco Bicycles on the North Shore, telling the story of my first Fiver, and asking if it was possible to get something going. As the NSMBA holds Fiver races annually, I thought it would be easiest to first approach an all-women event by adding on to their well-oiled series.—Mel Schumacher |
The NSMBA jumped on board, and with Schumacher’s help, are hosting their first ever women’s-only Fiver race on
Thursday, August 29, 2019 – with the support of Norco Bicycles and Capilano University, and après race festivities at Norco John Henry.
Taking a front seat on the planning and execution of the event, Mel has organized the race, après and has led the charge on course selection - including some classic descents on Mt Fromme that focus on intermediate terrain to attract and challenge as many riders as possible (to a max of 200). It’s worth noting, also, that the only timed parts of the race are the descents themselves – so suffering on the climbs is totally optional.
| I’m super stoked to see it come alive! It has been a long work in progress with a lot of moving pieces for everything to line-up and take place. My hope is that we fill up the entire 200 spots, everyone has an amazing ride and there are a lot of high-fives and smiles.—Mel Schumacher |
EVENT DETAILS - NSMBA’s Womxn’s* Fiver DATE: Thursday, August 29, 2019
- Registration opens from 5:45-6:45 pm (There isn’t a “mass start”)
- Après is at Norco John Henry
- Plant-based food by Capilano University
Let the NSMBA know you’re coming and learn more about the event
here.
TRAILFORKS COURSE MAP:*Organizers put the “x” in "womxn's" for inclusivity: the race is reserved for people who identify as Womxn. The inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” welcomes trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people.
excellent job organizers and norco
ladies+ bikes= win win
We'd love to see more women feel comfortable racing the Fivers, and hopefully this is a step to accomplishing that.
After seeing other riding hotspots develop their own female-centered events to introduce a racing environment while reducing the intimidation factor, she decided it was time the North Shore did something too.
NSMB wants to attract more female racers like Atherton and Seagrave? Or to attract fresh new faces to the sport that have average or above average skills. What method would get more woman racing? What is the solution? It appears the idea is to make the race less intimidating. I call that more fun . Instead of bashing me for my awefull sexist comment why don't you explain to me how more woman will be interested to join this race?
I'm getting fatigued at your wordiness and over indulgence in yourselves for women's events..."the FIRST EVER fiver JUST FOR WOMXXXXN? I don't spell MEN as MXN. Thanks for your disclaimer that non-binary people are invited into your 'inclusive' race, just not anyone who identifies as male...don't you see that by excluding one group you create a conundrum of how to identify who you ARE including?
Why are we separating ourselves from our fellow male riders? And why is NSMBA allowing this exclusion of their members? My partner pays a membership and builds and is a mountain biker, why does it matter what sex anybody is anymore?
I am a straight female mountain biker, and I am feminist and proud to be female and succesful, but my co-ed sport and my mountain bike association shouldn't cater to me exclusively. Please don't run events like this anymore, we are all equal.