A new program launching this month in North Vancouver is aiming to make it easier for more women to get involved in the sport of mountain biking.
The Bell Joy Ride Program is a free, monthly event being led by experienced mountain biker Isabelle Jacques, the Vancouver ambassador for Bell Helmets. The Lynn Valley resident was one of eight riders from across North America chosen by the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based company to lead rides for women in their respective communities this summer.
“I feel like bicycles have given me so much that I really want to help other people experience that. Two wheels can take you to amazing places and I want to share that with people,” says Jacques, who has been mountain biking for as long as she can remember. She used to race cross-country, which offered her countless opportunities, including to travel the world. Her passion for the sport led her to become a certified professional mountain bike instructor and she currently works with Trek Dirt Series, which offers mountain bike camps for mainly women throughout Western North America. Jacques also works full time in social media. “I know that sometimes it can be hard, challenging and intimidating getting into the sport but really once you get into it you realize that it’s so much fun,” she says.
As part of the program, Jacques plans to present monthly rides starting this month through to the winter mainly in North Vancouver, with a few in Squamish, Whistler and potentially the Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast, all in an effort to reach as many areas and potential riders as possible. She also plans to organize one trail day in the fall, allowing participants to give back to local trail systems. “This is really about connecting people with one another. I want people to meet new riding friends. I want people to get to know the girls who are already riding in their community and to know what resources are already available,” she says.
The rides are open to people of all levels. “What’s really cool is that people don’t need to have experience as a mountain biker. We’ll take people who are brand new to the sport or just starting,” she adds.
Riders will be divided into groups based on skill level and head out onto different area trails that are appropriate for them, supported by volunteer female ride leaders and sweeps.
“They’re all coming on board to make sure people are riding in a group they’re comfortable with. . . . North Vancouver is a hotbed for mountain biking. There are actually a lot of really good women mountain bikers in our community.”
For each Bell Joy Ride event, Jacques plans to partner with different local companies, bike shops and brands. For the first ride, being held Saturday, April 23 in the Mount Seymour area, she has partnered with Different Bikes North Vancouver, which will be offering complimentary bike checks to participants, and more substantial tune-ups at a discounted price. Bike brand Liv will also be on hand with their demo fleet. “If someone doesn’t have a bike or is wanting to try a new bicycle, we’ll arrange that for them,” says Jacques.
Each ride will also include a learning opportunity for participants. The April 23 event will see Moveo Sport and Rehabilitation Centre registered physiotherapist Amanda Sin, a former Canadian National Mountain bike team member, give a talk about injury prevention.
Next weekend’s event will get underway at 9 a.m., with participants meeting at Different Bikes, where they’ll spend an hour mingling over coffee and snacks while listening to presentations. At 10 a.m., after being divided into groups, they’ll head to their respective trail head and ride together until 12:30 p.m.
“The girls who are interested will meet together after at Seymour’s Pub for lunch and then some beers because we will have earned them in the morning,” says Jacques.
Currently, there is no more room for beginner riders at the April 23 event due to a strong level of interest, however there is space for intermediate and advanced riders, as well, Jacques is looking for additional volunteer ride leaders and sweeps.
All-level registration is currently open for the subsequent two Bell Joy Rides, set for May 21 in Squamish and June 12 in North Vancouver. To register or for more information, visit bellhelmets.com/joy-ride-program/Vancouver or facebook.com/BellJoyRideVancouverBC.
