18 Apr 2023

Mountain biking (MTB) is becoming more mainstream and accessible for women and girls, all thanks to women friendly groups and events in Botswana.

Over the last few years, women’s participation in MTB space has increased with more of them and girls on the trails. Some race events are also giving women equal prize money with their men counterparts.

Also, there are more race events staged with the aim to engage as well as promote women’s cycling, and of note is the World Ride organisation, which seeks to empower women globally through MTB.

World Ride, an international organisation with women in Nepal, Guatemala and Peru, has since established base in Botswana and Lesotho.

 In an interview, World Ride founder, Julie Cornelius, who was in the country for World Ride Mashatu Ride, said the organisation existed to empower and support women and girls in the mountain biking space. “We work with local partners in each location who are committed to our mission,” Cornelius said.

In Botswana, World Ride had partnered with Life Cycle Bicycle Coaching and Tuition and Mokolodi Nature Reserve as a place where women riders train and ride every weekend, under facilitation of coach, Gobona Mantle, founder of Life Cycle Bicycle Coaching and Tuition.  Alongside women MTB riders in World Ride programme around the world, women in Botswana also stand to benefit not only free access to MTB bikes during training rides and race events, but coaching paid for by World Ride, assistance in training guides as well as employing certified guides who would eventually guide World Ride trips in the country. The story of World Ride is traced back to when the founder, Cornelius travelled to Nepal and worked with a team of MTB women riders who told their stories through the film Moksha, which was released in 2018.

“Mountain biking is a challenging sport and as World Ride we want to help women realise their capabilities. We also want to give them confidence to fulfil their potential outside sport,” said Cornelius.

She thus urged men, particularly in the MTB space, to encourage and support MTB women riders and change the culture regarding men dominating MTB sport.

For her part, Mantle, World Ride Botswana facilitator also appealed to men in the MTB sport to encourage women and support their efforts in penetrating the sport.

“MTB is still seen as men’s sport, however women have proved to be capable and their voice should be heard,” Mantle noted. She said there were many opportunities in cycling not only in the MTB but other disciplines.

“It is important for men to give their support and offer encouragement to women and girls. We appeal to more experienced and qualified male coaches to come on board and assist women in coaching as well as offer skills techniques more importantly to the enthusiast girl MTB riders,” Mantle appealed.

Recently, World Ride Botswana hosted Mashatu Ride as part of World Ride trips, a first for Botswana. The ride’s goal was to promote tourism in the Mashatu area and Botswana through MTB cycling.

Meanwhile, interested MTB riders are encouraged to check the World Ride website, www.world-ride.com for information on registration and sign up for the next World Ride Botswana event. ENDS