Rachel Atherton is determined to get more girls out on bikes and having a blast. We caught up with the Downhill World Cup and World Champs star to discuss women in mountain biking, the impact of social media and the future of the sport.
MBUK: What changes have you seen in mountain biking over the years?
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RACHEL: The participation of women in mountain biking in general has blown up in the past five years and it amazes me how many women I see out on the tracks and at the trail centres. It's cool! Social media and the moving image have played a huge part. People don’t have to be 'into' mountain biking to be able to follow us and be inspired to try the sport, they just have to have Instagram. I’m not saying that social media is the be all and end all by any means, but it’s a stepping stone. It proves to sponsors that people do follow women racers and want to watch us race.
What do you think has prompted this increase in women riders?
The world has become more health conscious in the past five years and the availability of more gender-specific products has helped too, but in the UK a lot of credit has to go to trail centres. They've made it so easy for women to try riding – just hire a bike and off you go! DH uplift venues like Antur Stiniog and Revolution Bike Park have helped massively too – it's just so easy to get out and ride now! I went to Coed-y-Brenin the other day and was blown away by the number of women on the trails. It was awesome! Women are just becoming stronger, braver and more badass!
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