Jillian Prociuk. October 11, 2024.

On October 10th, 2024, in Virgin, Utah, the Red Bull Rampage held its first women’s competition since its creation in 2001. This invite-only prestigious freestyle downhill mountain biking event saw female riders competing for the first time and only one woman has ever been invited to race before 2024. Canadian and professional biker, Casey Brown, received an invitation in 2019; however, an injury in the qualifying event left her unable to compete. Race officials cited the lack of organization and chaotic nature of the competition as a reason why there was no women’s league; however, Brown spoke in an interview with the news outlet Outside Online that women’s abilities to perform at the same level as men were a topic of discussion among some involved in the race. There was speculation of plans for a 2023 women’s Rampage. However, officials were met with public backlash after women were once again excluded. Finally, in 2024, after more than a decade, women are equal competitors in the Red Bull Rampage. 

Women have been a rapidly growing demographic in the downhill and mountain biking community in the last few years and despite previous underrepresentation and exclusion women are finally, as of yesterday, receiving some of the professional acknowledgement they deserve. Although there is still a long way to go internationally, the women’s biking scene in Kamloops is flourishing.

Valerie Prociuk, a biking coach with the PMBIA, Professional Mountain Bikers Instructors Association, who has been leading women’s group rides and coaching for several years, spoke about the biking community in Kamloops, “In most areas of canada women are underrepresented but in Kamloops a large number of biking courses and group rides are geared exclusively towards women.” She included examples such as the Dirt Chix, Shifted Sisters, Spoke and Skills, and courses offered through Adventuring Into Life. She mentioned a conversation with a male participant in a co-ed course che coached through the City of Kamloops Parks and Rec, who said he felt that there were more group rides and courses for women than there were for men. Although women’s biking groups in Kamloops don’t really outnumber men’s and co-ed groups, women still have a significant presence in biking. Valerie says she loves how the women she coaches are able to find community and a love of mountain biking in Kamloops.

Refrence: Moye, J. (2024, October 10). Women are finally invited to Freeride Mountain Biking’s biggest event. Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/red-bull-rampage-women-debut/