Mt Buller announces brand new all-women’s mountain bike event

Mt Buller will play host to a brand new all-women’s mountain biking event on the summer season calendar, with the Dirt Maidens Challenge set to take place on February 20-21. Held over two action-packed days, the event will see female riders from across Australia compete in a mountain bike race in a relaxed and social environment, with a fluoro fancy dress theme.

Hosted by Bike Buller and the team behind the original Dirt Maidens event in Jindabyne, the weekend is a women’s only mountain bike event that consists of a cross-country and gravity race format, with three levels of difficulty to choose from. Cross-country riders will have the opportunity to take on a 7km short course, a 12.5km standard course or a gruelling 20km long course across trail favourites including Soul Revival, One Tree Hill, Gang Gangs, Picnic Trail, Cornhill Trail, Medusa, Clancy’s Run, Wombat Trail, Splitrock climb and Family trail. Gravity riders will tackle a 2km course through multiple bermed corners, rock gardens and sneaky switchbacks down Mt Buller’s flow down trail, Copperhead.

Participants will have the opportunity to enter into one or both disciplines over the weekend, while donning fluoro attire for an added element of fun. Dinner and drinks will be held at The Bike Club of Victoria on Saturday evening, giving the ladies a chance to relax, recharge and share stories from their experience. A fun and social guided ride will take place on Sunday down the popular Delatite River Trail, bringing the weekend to a close.

A skills clinic will also be available for those who have never ridden at Mt Buller before and who wish to prepare ahead of the event, taking place on Friday 19 February at Mt Buller.

Group Marketing Manager for Mt Buller Mt Stirling Resort Management, Gillian Dobson, said the Dirt Maidens Challenge will be a thrilling event for both riders and spectators. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have an all-women’s mountain biking event for the first time here at Mt Buller. We’re seeing more and more women taking up mountain biking for fun, fitness and to keep up with their partners and kids, and there’s a huge demand for women’s specific skills clinics, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to provide something new this summer.

“It’s also a great opportunity for the ladies to come and ride some of the best trails in the country, while dressing up and enjoying the social side of things too!” 

For more information on the Dirt Maidens Challenge and to enter, visit www.dirtmaidens.com.