IMBA
About IMBA's Blog: Dig In
DIG IN’S VISION
To serve as an educational and entertaining resource where female
mountain bikers can share valuable experiences, engage in meaningful
discussions, and encourage and entice other riders in a way that
ultimately promotes the growth of the sport.
INSPIRATION
There are 20+ women on IMBA's staff, making up about one-third of the
organization, and that number is growing. Some of us realized, after
noticing a lack of resources and discussions geared toward women
mountain bikers, that those of us who have dedicated our play and work
lives to the experience of mountain biking just might have something to
offer.
Mountain biking as a woman is not a singular experience, and Dig In
seeks to be a resource connecting female riders to IMBA, a community
connecting riders to each other, and a springboard for big ideas. We
want to help build an environment where women feel accepted and
welcomed. IMBA's female staffers, hundreds of women mountain
bikers, influential industry women and IMBA chapter leaders hold both a
personal and professional network that will have a hand in shaping Dig
In by sharing their stories, offering their perspectives and responding to
your thoughts.
Through the stories of women who ride, perhaps we can break down
the oft-perceived barriers, and focus on enjoying the trail experience.
We hope that women who say they "don't see themselves a s a
mountain biker" based on current media or personal abilities can brush
that off and feel confident in joining us in the simple, universal love of
the ride.
DIG IN: BEING HONEST ABOUT YOUR
STRENGTHS
This is the second post from guest blogger Stacey of Evergreen, Colo.
She is an artist, mother and avid mountain biker who races with the
Denver/Golden-based Dirt Divas.
When I first started riding trails, calling myself a mountain biker made
me feel like an imposter. After all, I wasn’t hucking my bike off big drops
or bombing down technical singletrack–I was just trying to stay upright
and survive. Therefore, the first time I joined a women’s group ride, I
was intimidated. So intimidated, in fact, that I almost circled the parking
lot and drove away instead of getting out of my car.
I put aside those fears as soon as everyone started talking. It was the
first ride of the season, and all of the women smiled as they doled out
what sounded like a litany of apologies.
“I’ll just bring up the rear today. I haven’t been on my bike in months!”
“Oh, I’m a slow climber; go in front of me.”
“I’m terrible at anything technical–keep your distance on the descents!”