Roam Bike Fests are designed for women to have fun on mountain bikes. Riders won't find skills clinics, competitions, or men here.
The Fox Factory Tune program allows mountain bikers to get a custom suspension tune and/or to upgrade to the latest tech for a reasonable price.
The All in Multitool fits inside a mountain bike crank spindle, and includes a chain breaker plus hex and Torx bits.
These aggressive hardtail mountain bikes are designed for trail riding and beyond, and each offers at least 120mm of front suspension travel.
Guidebook author Stephen Hlawaty talks about his favorite MTB trails in Colorado, and why he's still a fan of paper books in the digital age.
The National Recreation Trails class of 2018 includes notable mountain bike trails like Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Florida and the Climax Trail in New Mexico.
The BLM in Idaho is testing a new travel management plan that would allow Class 1 electric mountain bikes on previously non-motorized, multi-use trails.
The BLM approved an additional 22.5 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails at Phil's World and has begun construction, despite minor opposition.
Summer mountain bike camps for young riders are popping up all across the USA this year. Campers can learn new skills and get ready for NICA race season.
The second annual Epic 17K mountain bike race claims to be the world's highest, and is set to take place in India's Sikkim state June 26 - 29.
Youth conservation corps programs offer paid trail building programs this summer. Participants gain useful skills, while mountain bikers get new and improved trails.
This kid's hardtail mountain bike build was tricked out with electronic shifting, 4-piston brakes, and color-coordinated hardware.
Tips for dealing with knee, back, neck, and arm pain associated with mountain biking through exercise, stretching, bike fit, and recovery.
The updated Shimano XTR mountain bike line includes a 12-speed drivetrain and new 4-piston enduro brakes.
On May 17, 2018 a revised bill to possibly give bikes access to trails in federally-designated Wilderness areas was introduced to the US Senate.
The ShockStop from Redshift is a mountain bike suspension stem designed to lend some squish to rigid bikes without adding a lot of weight.
If your mountain bike isn't in top condition, it's often be a good idea to call off the ride. A lack of confidence in equipment can result in injury.
Rock Bar storage bags can be mounted to bars, top and down tubes, and even mountain bike fork legs.
Squeeze another season or two out of your mountain bike with these essential upgrades.
A mountain lion attacked two mountain bikers in Washington, killing one and injuring the other.
Get up to speed on the latest changes and trail conditions at the Whistler Bike Park from opening weekend.
The Singletracks community shares their best (and worst) mountain bike crash stories.
A surprising amount of mountain bike prototyping, testing, and even production takes place in the USA.
The 2018 IMBA Ride Centers are all Silver-level, and include Roanoke, VA; Eagle County, CO; and Steamboat Springs, CO.
The Stompump is a portable, mini foot-actuated pump designed for use with mountain bike tires.
Cannondale drops the weight on the F-Si cross-country race bike and introduces the Lefty Ocho suspension fork.
The updated Pivot Trail 429 mountain bike gets longer, higher, and slacker while improving its ability to run 29er or 27.5+ wheels. The trail bike also gets the Super Boost Plus treatment.
Tips for choosing the best mountain bike light for night riding.
Get these enduro mountain bike races on your calendar for 2018. Enduro races are happening all over North America, from North Carolina to Arkansas, and New Mexico to British Columbia.
Game cameras are being used to identify mountain bikers who build illegal trails or trespass on private property. They're even being used to catch trail vandals.
Richard La China, founder of ridelikeaninja.com, shares his philosophy for mountain bike skills training and progression.
The most popular mountain bike trails in each US state and Canadian province, plus up-and-coming trails in select areas.
Traditionally mountain bikers have had free access to trails on public land, but these days more pay-to-play riding options are cropping up.
The Islabikes Creig 24 is a lightweight kids' mountain bike featuring a good component mix for young shredders.
Transgender athlete Kate Weatherly won the 2018 New Zealand Mountain Bike Championships in the DH event.
E-bikes are gaining mountain bike trail access in unexpected places, and for unexpected reasons.
The Salkantay Epic is an all-day, epic mountain bike shuttle ride in Peru located near Machu Picchu.
Singletracks has tested and reviewed more than 30 hip packs, and these are the ones that stand out as our favorites.
I talk with Daniel Jessee about an exciting project to create an long-distance, East Coast bikepacking route called the Eastern Divide Project. Daniel is an experienced bikepacker who has travelled all around the world, and he shares his expert tips for getting started.
Ideas for encouraging women to start mountain biking, from 8 women of Singletracks.
Giorgio Frattale and Francesco D
A group mountain bike ride on Mt. Tam. in Marin County, CA showcases the incredible wildflowers. Mountain bikers can be nature nerds, too.
It's tempting to ride solo, but mountain biking with a partner is incredibly beneficial.
Mountain bike for days above tree line, bask in fields of wildflowers, traverse multiple 12,000-foot-plus passes and ridgelines, and finish with a 5,000-foot final-day decent on the Rim Tours Durango -- Colorado Trail Singletrack tour.
Baggy mountain bike shorts offer protection and storage, but they can run hot. Here are 7 pairs of baggy MTB shorts to consider for hot summer rides.
The south side of the Sacred Valley in Peru offers mountain bikers the opportunity to experience incredible scenery and access to ancient Inca ruins.
In this episode, we talk about the new mountain bike products on display at Sea Otter this year including new and updated enduro, trail, and XC mountain bikes.
The best mountain bike trail centres in Scotland, from the Scottish Highlands to the lowland forests.
1
![[feature]
[caption id="attachment_241176" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241176 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9993-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest East Brevard Reeb Ranch MTB Festival" width="1170" height="780"> Some of the 200+ lady shredders gathered at Reeb Ranch for Roam Bike Fest East.[/caption]
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Are you a mountain bike festival goer? At festivals, riders can usually expect a big party, demo rides on the latest mountain bikes, craft beer, swag galore, and plenty of shenanigans. Couple that with an epic destination like <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/everything-need-know-mountain-biking-visiting-pisgah-national-forest/">Pisgah</a> and <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/dupont-state-forest.html">Dupont State Forest</a> and you've got one amazing weekend of mountain biking that's sure to be unforgettable. But one particular festival, complete with an inspiring movie night, 80s themed dance party, and on-site camping is designed for an exclusive group--women only.
[see_also id='208096']
I recently attended the sold-out event, <a href="https://www.roambikefest.com/">Roam Bike Fest East</a>, in Brevard, NC. This was the first Roam Bike Fest event held on the east coast, following the success of the first event held in Sedona, AZ just 7-months prior.
What’s all the fuss about? Ash Bocast, one of the founders of Roam Events, already had experience putting on dozens of women's mountain bike retreats and events each year, and recognized an opportunity after seeing the success of a women's climbing festival. SRAM came on board and encouraged the founders to create one of the largest, non-competitive women’s mountain bike festivals in the world. By leaving competitions and skills clinics out of Roam Bike Fest, women can just focus on having fun. Ash says “a lot of the fun just kind of happens when you give women a space and a place and an environment where they can just go have fun, and we're here to support them [...] so that they can really just focus on riding their bikes.”
[see_also id='236984']
[caption id="attachment_241232" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241232 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9802-1170x780.jpg" alt="roam bike fest brevard ridgeline trail womens mountain bike festival" width="1170" height="780"> Our group included some Ridgeline first-timers who were in for a treat.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241230" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241230 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9804-1170x780.jpg" alt="roam bike fest brevard waterfall womens mountain bike festival" width="1170" height="780"> Photo op at Grassy Creek Falls[/caption]
Weekends in Dupont State Forest are usually pretty crowded, but there’s nothing like the cheers, hoots, and hollers from a train of fellow lady shredders on the trails.
[caption id="attachment_241204" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241204 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9930-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> Hillary Rose leads this lady train down Big Rock trail.[/caption]
The three-day event held at <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/reeb-ranch.html">Reeb Ranch</a> offered the opportunity for multiple group rides throughout each day. Taking advantage of the shuttles and ride leaders takes some of the logistical stress off riders' minds, especially for those who aren't familiar with the local trails. Some of the women who attended came from as far away as Ontario, Michigan, and Connecticut to ride Dupont’s finest singletrack.
[caption id="attachment_241211" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241211 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9902-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> Nancy, a converted school bus, is our shuttle for the day.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241208" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241208 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9920-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> All the ladies' bikes aboard Nancy.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241209" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241209 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9909-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> OMG, hold on to your beer. Oh wait, that's just La Croix.[/caption]
With frequent shuttles to and from Reeb Ranch, there was ample opportunity to demo new mountain bikes. Unlike many other festivals with limited bikes, I didn’t have to wait 2 hours for a bike and bonus -- there were plenty of trail and all-mountain enduro bikes for smaller riders like myself. Six mountain bike brands brought bikes including Liv, Specialized, Pivot Cycles, Ibis Cycles, Rocky Mountain, and Norco.
[caption id="attachment_241202" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-241202" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9939-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard Liv Hail Womens Mountain Bike Festival" width="1170" height="780"> A women's mountain bike festival wouldn't be complete without Liv bikes. The Liv Hail 160mm enduro is bike shown above. Liv has long been paving the way for women in cycling.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241234" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-241234" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9797-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> I spent half a day in DSF on this Ibis Mojo 3. This sleek and fun bike is designed by lady shredder and co-owner of Ibis Cycles, Roxy Lo.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241203" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-241203" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9938-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> Michelle D tries the new Specialized Stumpjumper 29er.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241336" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241336 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-0022-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt is a 130mm XC trail bike with adjustable geometry.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241334" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241334 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-0039-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> The Pivot Mach 5.5. Pivot has so many options for smaller riders thanks to the bikes' low standover height on extra-small frames.[/caption]
[see_also id='216161']
Other attending vendors included SRAM and Asheville-based Industry Nine, the festival's title sponsor. A handful of clothing brands, Mulberry Gap, local bike shops, and Sierra Nevada were also in attendance.
[caption id="attachment_241212" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241212 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9899-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard SRAM technical clinic" width="1170" height="780"> SRAM hosted a variety of technical clinics over the weekend.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241333" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241333 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9831-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard Industry Nine mountain bike wheels" width="1170" height="780"> Industry Nine, Roam Bike Fest title sponsor, can custom anodize your wheels in a rainbow of colors.[/caption]
[see_also id='195844']
[caption id="attachment_241223" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241223 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9833-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest womens mountain bike festival sierra nevada beer" width="1170" height="780"> Rain flowing outside the tent, Sierra Nevada flowing inside the tent.[/caption]
On the first night of the festival, vendors prepared speciality cocktails for happy hour and we watched a private screening of films from the No Man’s Land Film Festival, which focuses on females of all ages living bold, adventurous lifestyles. One of the films, <em>Fast Forward</em>, follows Lael Wilcox, who broke the women’s record for the Tour Divide by 2 days.
[caption id="attachment_241222" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241222 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9849-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Reeb Ranch Rain Womens Mountain Bike Festival" width="1170" height="780"> Afternoon thundershowers couldn’t damper this party. Cocktail hour was held in the barn.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241221" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241221 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9850-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> Sweet Tea Vodka. Yup, you're in the south now. I'll be drinking this all summer long. Thanks Specialized![/caption]
While riders won’t find skills clinics at Roam Bike Fest, there are still many learning opportunities from SRAM technical clinics to panel discussions about how to land a job in the bike industry and even everything you ever wanted to know about chamois. Bocast says, “we really stand fast in our commitment to put on activations and experiences that are not skills clinics. In part because we don't want to compete with our friends. We think that there are some amazing, amazing coaches out there and they put on clinics and teach skills way better than we ever could and we want to support that, but we also recognize that having an educational component and a takeaway for ladies to engage with and learn from when they leave is really important.”
[caption id="attachment_241226" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241226 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9819-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard Womens Mountain Bike Festival Rocky Mountain" width="1170" height="780"> Sieneke Toering of Rocky Mountain gives us bikepacking tips.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241185" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241185 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9973-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard SRAM womens mountain bike festival" width="1170" height="780"> Learning about the SRAM Eagle Drivetrain during a tech workshop.[/caption]
Meeting and hearing from women working in the industry was informative and empowering. The Roam version of TED talks, or SHREDtalks, shares stories from seven panelists, which included Sarah Woods of Industry Nine, Kate Gates, Owner of Mulberry Gap, Katie Thompson, Industrial Design Manager for QBP, and Janette Sherman, Marketing Manager for Yeti.
Ash says the panel hosted by <a href="https://camberoutdoors.org/">Camber Outdoors</a> gives insight to women who “do these incredible things for the bike industry. I don't think the general, average mountain biker has any idea how hard the people -- men and women -- work in this industry to build better products and better bikes and cooler things for us to play with. So [we wanted to] give those folks an opportunity to really share that.” Want to get a job in the bike industry? Yes there is a place for women in the industry. I learned that companies like Pivot are ~30% women.
[see_also id='232842']
[caption id="attachment_241301" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241301 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-shredtalks-industry-panel-1170x878.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="878"> SHREDtalk panel of accomplished women in the bike and outdoor industry.[/caption]
After riding bikes, talking, and learning about bikes all day, it was party time; time to shed sweaty and dirty mountain bike clothes for 80s neon garb and/or an animal costume. DJ Lil' Meow Meow laid down the best 80s playlist -- Eurythmics, Duran Duran, and of course, Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
[caption id="attachment_241343" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241343 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9895-1170x878.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Womens Mountain Bike Festival 80s Dance Party" width="1170" height="878"> That squirrel is throwing it down on the dancefloor.[/caption]
The energy of Roam Bike Fest was non-stop! To top off the night, there was a huge bonfire and sparklers under the starry sky.
[caption id="attachment_241341" align="alignnone" width="878"]<img class="wp-image-241341 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9922-878x1170.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard Reeb Ranch Ash Bocast spark womens mountain bike festival" width="878" height="1170"> Ash Bocast starts the literal and symbolic spark among women mountain bikers.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241350" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241350 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9930-3-1170x658.jpg" alt="Roam Bike Fest Brevard Reeb Ranch Ash Bocast sparklers womens mountain bike festival" width="1170" height="658"> It was pitch black on the ranch until we all had our sparklers.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_241338" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241338 size-large" style="font-weight: 300;" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9944-1170x878.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="878"> Not your mama's campfire.[/caption]
From the first minute to the last, Roam Bike Fest is a welcoming place for women who ride mountain bikes, no matter their background or experience. This welcoming and inviting vibe begins with Ash and her staff, and is undeniably contagious. Her goal, after all, is to create “events for ladies that are not pandering, are a ton of fun, and [allow us] to ride lots of bikes.”
The women I spoke with and observed seemed to engage in real conversation with vendors. Katie Hertler of Ibis Bicycles remarked on the festival’s welcoming atmosphere that “we’re promoting a lifestyle here, not just product.” Enough said.
[caption id="attachment_241189" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-241189 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/roam-bike-fest-brevard-9963-1170x780.jpg" alt="Roam Events Ash Bocast Andi Zolton Womens Mountain Bike Festival" width="1170" height="780"> Two of the founders of Roam Events, Ash Bocast (left) and Andi Zolton (right). Not pictured, Mel Bowan.[/caption]
<a href="https://www.roambikefest.com/">Roam Bike Fest West</a> is coming up in October so you'll want to get your ticket before the event sells out (again!). To experience other women’s mountain bike events, visit <a href="https://www.thisisroam.com/">Roam Events</a>.
[see_also id='251722']](https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GIrls-on-Wheels-group-shot.jpg)
