Three-part Series Documents Rise of Women in Mountain Biking

It’s a time in mountain bike history like no other. For years, women were outnumbered and underrepresented. Their accomplishments, understated. Through it all, they kept charging forward, pouring blood and sweat into the dirt, paving the way for a hoped-for future – a future where women would be seen as good riders, the caveat “for a girl,” eliminated. 

Ask the men and women who’re out there today, and they’ll tell you: it’s happening.

Crankworx, with support from TELUS Local Programming, is proud to present “Shifting Perceptions,” a three-part web series about women in mountain biking.

“We’re not trying to be, like, ‘we’re special’ or anything like that,” says Claire Buchar, the proud owner of dozens of hard-earned medals and trophies from Crankworx, World Cup races and National Champs. “We’re part of the scene. I think the end goal is just to be a part of mountain biking, whether you’re a guy or a girl.”

Featuring Jill Kintner, Anneke Beerten, Claire Buchar, Georgia Astle, Kialani Hines, Vaea Verbeeck, Casey Brown, Miranda Miller, Micayla Gatto, and Valentina Höll, the series shines the spotlight on the unconscious bias that existed in mountain biking, and the women who’ve ushered in the change.

“The women who compete at Crankworx are awe-inspiring athletes, full stop,” says Crankworx General Manager Darren Kinnaird. “We want people to view them as the heroes they are. Let’s eliminate ‘you ride well for a girl’ from our lexicon. It doesn’t represent what’s actually going on out there. Female mountain bikers are amazing riders. That’s all it needs to be about.”

Episode One is available here.