Registration now open for 2018 Yeti Cycles VIDA MTB Series of women’s events

Registration is now open for the Yeti Cycles VIDA MTB Series of women’s mountain bike skills clinics and events.

“Going into our sixth year of producing women’s mountain bike skills clinics, we have watched the growth of women in mountain biking evolve from women entering the sport for the first time, to women seeking out experiences that expand upon their skillsets and new places to ride,” said Sarah Rawley, president of VIDA MTB Series. “Taking feedback from past clinic participants, we are excited for the season ahead that will not just inspire women, but forge new opportunities to broaden their experiences on and off the bike, and cultivate long-lasting, meaningful community connections.”

VIDA MTB Series events are as follows:

Sedona MTB Festival – Sedona, Arizona
March 2-4, 2018

The VIDA MTB Series continues its four-year streak as the women’s hub of the Sedona MTB Festival, offering a one-day clinic on Saturday and additional activities throughout the festival weekend including yoga, tech talks and group rides, open to all festival attendees to join. A three-day festival pass is included in clinic registration— a $100 value.

“VIDA has been a staple of the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival since its start,” said Mike Rainey, event director of the Sedona MTB Festival. “It is the perfect way to brush up on some skills coming out of the winter while creating lifelong friendships.”

Valmont Bike Park – Boulder, Colorado
May 12, 2018

Valmont Bike Park has been a cornerstone to the VIDA clinic schedule, and this year will offer a one-day clinic in conjunction with the Sports Garage Front Range Demo Day. Participants will have access to the full gamut of vendors to test bikes and gear as they session features and tracks in a small-group format throughout the park.

“The VIDA MTB Series has been an invaluable resource for so many women in the SG community. The fact that VIDA and Sports Garage are collaborating for our 2018 Front Range Demo Day means that we’re able to bring a huge day of riding and learning to Valmont Bike Park,” said Elorie Slate, co-owner and director of marketing of Sports Garage. “We’re stoked knowing that women will have an opportunity to catapult into a new level of mountain biking.”

Yeti Bike Bash – Lakewood, Colorado

June 2-3, 2018

VIDA will host a one-day clinic on Saturday for women to learn fundamental skills and race strategy prior to race day at the Yeti Bike Bash.

“Bringing the Beti Bike Bash, VIDA MTB Series and Little Bellas together under one roof for a weekend is an event that any woman who bikes should experience,” said Amy Thomas, co-founder of the Beti Bike Bash and manager of Team Yeti Beti.

Early bird registration for both the Yeti Beti Bike Bash race and VIDA clinic is available through February 1, 2018.

Trestle Bike Park
June 23-24, 2018

Weekend clinics in the high-country are filled with lift-accessed and trail riding all day long, on top of healthy meals, yoga, tech talks, and happy hour socializing.

Snowmass Bike Park
August 4-5, 2018

VIDA will partner with Big Mountain Enduro for their season finale in Snowmass, Colorado to culminate the From Rider to Racer Program presented by Wheat Ridge Cyclery. Women will have the opportunity to sign up for a stock two-day clinic or one-day clinic/one-day race experience. The program will officially launch March 2018.

“With our ever-evolving position in the women’s market, we are excited to return as title sponsor of the VIDA MTB Series,” said Janette Sherman, Yeti Cycles marketing manager. “Programs like From Rider to Racer, VIDA Ambassadors, and going above and beyond with clinics, group rides and local events, aligns with Yeti’s commitment to racing and community.”

Purgatory Resort – Durango, Colorado
August 25-25, 2018

A weekend clinic at the Resort will also offer the opportunity to add on two extra days of riding in the surrounding backcountry.

“We are very excited about hosting a new venue for the VIDA MTB Series,” said Hogan Koesis, bike park director for Mountain Capital Partners. “We will be adding an awesome green flow trail this season, in addition to two black-diamond trails, the first double-black trail – World Cup DH – and an extension of intermediate trails to come in 2019.”

VIDA is also collaborating with EveryPedal MTB, a local mountain bike instruction/adventure program based out of Durango, Colo. to unite programming for girls, ages 8-14 to the weekend event. “Our program’s focus is to empower and connect women and girls through the sport of mountain biking,” said Tine Ooley, founder and program director of EveryPedal MTB. “We are so excited to collaborate with VIDA to bring the first clinic of this kind to Purgatory Resort and get more girls on bikes.”

Golden Giddyup – Golden, Colorado
September 2018

The seventh and final clinic of the season will circle VIDA back home to the Golden Giddyup, a community-sponsored bike event based out of Golden, Colo. VIDA will host a one-day clinic with $15 from each clinic registration going directly back into the trail stewardship program.

Yeti Cycles returns as the title sponsor of the VIDA MTB Series, with opportunities to demo the Yeti Beti line of bikes at VIDA events, along with new sponsors Vittoria Tires, Ergon Bike and Noosa Yoghurt.

Returning sponsors include Smith Optics, Stan’s NoTubes, Skratch Labs and Wild Balance Jewelry. “On behalf of Ergon Bike, we are thrilled to be aligning with the VIDA MTB Series. VIDA’s inspiring mission of proper riding instruction and of toppling the barriers of female participation are all efforts we feel should be happening industry wide,” said Karen Jarchow, Ergon Bike US Assistant Marketing Director. “We strongly believe this relationship will only make new riders embrace the sport with greater
enjoyment and more long-lasting enthusiasm.”

This year, the VIDA MTB Series will additionally support 30 Ambassadors and 40 Community Leaders, as well as host multiple group rides and dig nights in the Front Range of Colorado.

“Our Ambassadors are the heart of our community,” said Rachel Gottfried, VIDA MTB Series director of operations. “Their genuine enthusiasm for getting more women on bikes creates a fun and supportive learning environment at our events and keeps women coming back for more.”

Local group rides and shop nights ramp up in March and April— check out VIDA’s calendar on www.vidamtb.com for details and to register for all events.