After a year of preparation, the Golden Active Ladies’ “Pit Viper” Enduro took place on Saturday, September 21st, marking a significant success for the local cycling community.
This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the Golden Active Ladies group, which has grown to an impressive 1,100 members. What better way to celebrate this milestone, than hosting an inclusive race designed to accommodate riders of all skill levels, ranging in age from 13 to 65.
Notably, 40 of the 50 participants had never competed in any cycling event before, underscoring the accessibility of the race. The concept of a dedicated women’s event emerged from the group’s desire to create a more welcoming and supportive environment. Many participants expressed that they would not have signed up for a co-ed race, highlighting the importance of fostering a community where women feel comfortable and encouraged to engage in the sport. Looking ahead, we aim to further grow this community and hope that, with increased experience, these women will feel confident to participate in larger events, either here in Golden or at other women’s specific races in locations such as Panorama, Revelstoke, Fernie, and Canmore.
In addition to the race, we introduced a “best-dressed” competition, and the creativity on display was extraordinary. From ‘Jorts’ to leopard print, the participants fully embraced the challenge, making it difficult to choose a winner—so much so that we may need to expand the prize categories next year!
The youth category ended up with just three participants, all aged 13. Although we initially had seven registrations, some of the youth had to cancel due to conflicting events. Despite this, the category maintained its energy and excitement, and we look forward to seeing more youth involvement in future races.
Reflecting on the event, Jen Mercier, a regular of the Golden Active Ladies weekly rides, shared her pride in seeing so many local women take part in this unique, ladies-only competition. “Mountain biking is a sport that can be intimidating, especially in a competitive context,” Mercier said. “However, the participants approached the race with enthusiasm, donning vibrant outfits and embracing the fun and camaraderie of the day. There was laughter and encouragement throughout the event, as riders pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones, made new friends, and simply enjoyed the experience.”
Looking to the future, we are already scheduled to host the event again in 2025. We plan to expand by promoting the youth category and introducing an e-bike category to attract an even wider range of participants.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the riders, volunteers, and sponsors, including Pit Viper, Golden Cycling Club, Rumpel Silkscreen, The River House, DJ Tracy Mahijic, Glacier Candle Co., AnnaMarie Chocolate, and Fowlers Flower Farm, for their invaluable contributions to the event’s success.
