6 Tips - How to be a Confident and Positive Woman in Your Mountain Biking Community

[@dustybettymtb]

To learn more about Sedona Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA,) go here: www.sedonamountainbikeacademy.com/

[@dcasandman]

Need this in Oklahoma.

[@equus22]

I'm an older mtb rider. A lot older. I started mtb-ing when I was 60. I see more and more women, and happily, I see more and more older women out there! Some of may not be able to do what a younger rider can do, or maybe we can, but either way, we're out there, and not sitting on the couch, or rocking chair!

[@RIZABUV87]

I LOVE this. I hesitated watching but these are greatly helpful. I was a huge apologizer and "hider" in the back of the pack. Love the friends too!

[@dustybettymtb]

I'm blessed in the lady shred friends department for sure.

[@melissa.onthetrail]

Thanks for this! I’ve had some of these feelings before in times when I’ve felt less confident. Appreciate you encouraging all women, no matter what stage they are on in their mountain bike journey, to embrace it. For years I was riding alone or on the “slow or recovery” days with the guys. In the last year a group of women in my area have kind of formed and started doing group rides together. It’s been amazing for all of us.

[@dustybettymtb]

That's so awesome to see your community evolve for the better. So cool!

[@empoweredfinanciallifeinca7710]

Awesome Tips Ladies!! Very Uplifting.. I will celebrate this big ass bruise on my quad from my last ride and learned that I am in the process of finding the right amount of front brake

[@melissaoneill13]

Awesome video!!! This is my second summer, riding my husband has been riding for like 3 years and he is so much more experienced then I am. Last year I rode a hard tail about a month ago I bought a full suspension and I love it but I struggle on group rides because I’m still learning. I’m way slower then everyone else and I’m way more timid, I don’t want to slow anyone down. Your video definitely is making me want to be more confident and that I just have to get out there and ride!!! Thank you for the much needed tips!!

[@sarahwilliams6684]

What a great video really inspiring I ride with lads here in the UK and I have to say I never would lead or go in front but have recently started too. And your so right it's definitely made me ride outside my comfort zone and pushed me to try different trails some of them really sketchy and steep but riding with them as they are much better riders than me has made me very happy and if they didn't want to ride with me then I wouldn't be invited so I feel special and I always have a high 5 and a fist pump when I concor something new ✊✊ thanks ladies xxx very well said xx stay safe and happy shredding ✌️✌️

[@dustybettymtb]

That's so awesome! What a great example of putting this kind of mindset into action. 🤜🤛

[@bethanybenedict3143]

Fantastic! Thanks to all of you for letting us hear your voices!

[@kathardt-holoch4361]

Great video, not just for the message content. I really enjoyed the tips on lines from the riders. And the level of stoke was great to hear and see!

[@5150macro]

This is a great video. A lot of this is applicable to all new riders, not just women. Keep up the great work.

[@dustybettymtb]

Agreed.

[@LornaT460]

This is great advice. When I started MTB years ago when I was 50 I got lots of unsolicited advice from men on the trail. Like they thought i got lost on the way to the mall or something. Don’t do that guys. We will ask If we want your opinion, just say hi.

[@AmiEduardo]

I started really riding mtb 2 years ago, and I sure can relate to all these tips! Sadly my immediate community isn't hugely mtb-friendly and not many ladies out riding at all... Great video Tess!

[@dustybettymtb]

Good luck in your journey. Way to represent the women! 💪🙌

[@paradisedot50]

Hey, I really liked this video! Thank you. It's helpful. I'm an older guy who just got into mtb. I love it. The few times I went with another person (all men) I've been uber intimated. I've been pushed far beyond my abilities and got hurt. Guys seem to have NO patience and pull the "you're a pussy...you can do it" crap. I've completely stopped going out with others due to this. The fact I'm more than twice the age of other guys never matters to them. Guys are mostly dicks due to them having to be macho crap. I wish I could go out with some women as I believe it would be a lot better for my abilities and, honestly, women are usually much more positive and encouraging. It's the difference of actually wanting to be helpful versus wanting to prove they have mad skills and you're just a dweeb to be humiliated (frankly, that doesn't work). The problem is, in my experience so far, women don't want to ride with a guy. I get it. But I can still wish it could be so. SO, I'll continue to lone-wolf it as that's what works for me. I've been told I just need to watch youtube videos and figure it out for myself. SO, that's what I do...

[@dustybettymtb]

Awe, that's a bummer. I feel like the whole Arizona mountain biking community is pretty interconnected. I love getting together with a group of riders from all over the state, guys and gals. We have a lot of fun, session some stuff, encourage each other but thankfully we all leave the egos at home. I hope you're able to put together a dream team riding crew for yourself. It can take time but I hope you get connected with the right people.

[@michalwiktorow2188]

Great tips Tess, nice that you have such good group of friends. Trails you ride are both 'regional' - you won't find some of the features anywhere else - and demanding, too. Nice to watch your content again!

[@dustybettymtb]

Thanks! I am so lucky to live in such a great community of riders.

[@craigdovebloke]

Great advice and it's definitely not just for the ladies. I totally relate to everything you said and I'm sure most of us guys do 🙂

[@dustybettymtb]

So true! It's a message that a lot of us can use.

[@hardtailparty]

Fantastic video. Best thing I've watched this month.

[@outsider1733]

Awesome video! I think it's important to find a riding community. It really helps with motivation and enriches the experience.

[@dustybettymtb]

I completely agree with that!

[@okayatbikes1909]

I can’t love this enough! I will be sharing this in our Women of Oz group- it is what we’re about! Thanks for this video, Tess!

[@dustybettymtb]

Thank you! Lots of love to all the ladies in the land of OZ. Can't wait to get back there sometime!

[@robertdarcy2168]

Lovely Advice. You're All AWESOME. For someone Competitive within myself most appreciate your camaraderie Would love to ride a trail with you guy's! Fun and beneficial!! Excellent Video A Most Appreciative Raptor Rob (England) 💋👍

[@auburn2234]

Can you tag your friends on the video? Love this video and would also like to follow them. I’m a beginner and going to Bentonville Arkansas next week to bike. I’ve already been worrying about being slow or in others way. Your video has helped me be more positive instead of worrying about slowing others down.

[@chrishorbatt3504]

"Thoughts are not facts" good point!

[@dustybettymtb]

That was a life changer for me.

[@FifeFlow]

I love this video! This advice is so great. Thanks Tess for making this.

[@5150macro]

Amaryth is awesome. Did a lesson with her while visiting Sedona. Highly recommend her.

[@dustybettymtb]

She is a rockstar!

[@joannajyates]

Yeah! Thes are awesome tips! Great job Tess. Stoked to be a part of this one. KEEP SHOWING UP!

[@dustybettymtb]

Thanks so much for sharing your voice and joining me on this one. You always inspire! 🤘🌼💚

[@adallegretti6876]

Great video! Those ladies seem so encouraging and positive!

[@johnnydoe66]

This is good advice/tips for even new male riders.....👍

[@dustybettymtb]

True!

[@glock19gen3]

Such a beautiful place!

[@AnthonyOrtega-ki4mx]

I highly recommend the element bolt v2 instead of the roam because it has some of wahoos newer features and is 100 bucks cheaper, the only drawback is a slight decrease in size

[@markymarkpowpow]

so very intuitive! plus the trails there rock! Celebrate Sedona>>>

[@SprocketGirl]

Great video! Thanks to all the ladies in this vid for sharing their tips ❤

[@dustybettymtb]

Can't wait to hit the trail with you again sometime...soon? 😊

[@benc.8103]

Great tips and advice. Thanks

[@nelieuy]

Hi there! What do you recommend for a chest protector? I fell the last time and hit my chest with th handlebar. Thanks!!!!

[@dustybettymtb]

Ooh, that sounds nasty! That's a really good idea to wear chest protector. I don't personally have any experience with that, but it's definitely something that could use a female rider's perspective owing to the differences in male and female anatomy in the chest area 😅

[@blanchdsouza2968]

I have a mountain bike but don't ride it in the mountains of that area Kinda got underconfident? Thanks for this

[@davelloyd8454]

"I don't want to hold them up" is not just a women's concern... I live in a hilly area and I'm built for the flat if you know what I mean. Finding a group to ride with can be hard. Got to disagree about wahoo though... Do they still need a phone to change data fields? Garmin all the way for me.

[@PeteEllson5656]

Great video. Thanks.

[@cellphonenut]

Excellent footage Tess! I wanna touch on the brotherhood thing. I must say that women can see through most smoke and mirrors. What I'm trying to say that when I ride with women whom drop me or I can't shake I have a hard time expressing my compliments without having a tone of "for a women" so to speak. A lot of times the same performance from a man would not be considered because as another man we have just admitted defeat. To sum it up It was great hearing women's point of view from your footage. Women have made this sport so much more exciting 🙌 👏