In celebration of the growing number of women riders we joined Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling 2018 with a ladies ride round the local woods and lanes.

As the ride came closer we kept our fingers crossed that the glorious sunshine would hold and we were in luck. Our mechanic, Vicky, was leading the ride and she spent a couple of early mornings before work scoping out the route

Kent is known as the Garden of England and Biketart is set in the middle of the Elham Valley, with Covert Woods on our doorstep. These rolling hills provide local riders with downhill trails but are more challenging when you’re creating a social ride for an unknown group of riders. With a couple of options available and a enthusiastic and willing riders on the day, all was conquered.

We were thrilled to welcome a mixed group of riders spanning a range of ages, cycling styles, electric, hybrid and mountain bikes. It was a true cross-section of our customers and local riders. All that we could have hoped for! Fortified with Veloforte bars, the ladies headed out in the early afternoon sun to explore the local area.

The motivation behind the Women’s Festival of Cycling is to celebrate women riders and to encourage others to give it a go and find confidence on two wheels. Rolling along conversation flowed as we shared our stories and experiences. The most heartwarming part of the ride was seeing women grow in confidence and ride hills and distances they’d thought unlikely at the start of the day. One rider commented that she would ‘definitely go and ride it again and go faster!

Post ride there were bubbles and cake to continue the celebrations. Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a special occasion. Here’s to supporting women riders everywhere!