Another year at my favorite GGR event in beautiful Big Bear.
Thursday arrival
This year started like every year has in the past with many of us driving up on the Thursday. I had just got back from traveling from work Wednesday night, so I was wiped, yet extremely stoked to begin this long weekend with 100 like minded women ready for an adventure.
Many decided to go to Snow Summit early for some DH runs. I needed to get everything in order to ensure Friday started off as smooth as possible, plus I was exhausted, so no riding for me on Thursday.
I also wanted one night for myself and Hugh to have a lovely dinner in town, get caught up and discuss the 3 days ahead.
Day 1 Friday Snow Summit Day
The ladies were ready EARLY this year and so was Snow Summit! They opened the ticket windows early just for GGR which we so greatly appreciate and we thank them!
The morning always starts off with ladies checking in at the booth. They sign in, get their bike plate, and if they are riding DH for the day, they get pre qualified for the group they will join to ensure they have a great experience and are as safe as possible.
Before our general morning meeting, I always have a volunteer meeting. We discuss everything from meet & greets, headcounts, taking pictures, spacing on the trails, emergencies, etiquette and more. It preps everyone for the day. It's a time when I can get the volunteers motivated and remind them that this day is all about empowering woman and ensuring they have a great experience.
We are successful at this because our volunteers are trained and have guidance. These are also strong, independent women who are kind, empathetic, tough and show outstanding leadership skills.
After the volunteer meeting, I address our crowd and tell them what they can expect for the day. Once we have taken some group photos, we then we split up into groups for meet & greets. The DH women get in line for the lifts and the XC ladies hit the trails.
This year I got to take one of the Intro to DH groups along with Coach Jeana Miller of Non-Dot and just had a blast! My group graduated very quickly from Going Green ending with Blue Steel!
Day 2 Saturday Skypark Day & Group Dinner
Skypark day
This seems to always be the most popular day. There were scares of showers and radar pictures that were frightening, however in the end, it didn't rain much and only came down hard at the end of our evening festivities.
So many pictures so I will let them speak for themselves. I do want to congratulate the award winners!
This seems to always be the most popular day. There were scares of showers and radar pictures that were frightening, however in the end, it didn't rain much and only came down hard at the end of our evening festivities.
So many pictures so I will let them speak for themselves. I do want to congratulate the award winners!
- Best Badass Shredder -Lena Amelang: San Diego Chapter
- Best GGR Spirit: Chelsea McBride - San Diego Chapter
- Outstanding Volunteer: Sara Crawford - IE Chapter
- Best Come Back: Anne Yeoh: IE Chapter
Day 3 Maple Hills & Snow Valley
Maple Hills XC
Thanks to Big Bear Chapter Director Ali Hyde for the days recap and volunteering for this new part of our event as well as Susa Mueller!
Despite the threat of rain, 24 women arrived eager to experience some new Big Bear trails!
Maple hills is a relatively new system of exclusively single track trails in Big Bear, located on private land which means E-Bikes are also legal there. We set out as one big group with just a sprinkling of rain.
Fairly quickly we could see a split in the group, so we separated into a faster and a more mellow group. As the rain increased, no one seemed to care as we whooped and hollered through the undulating flowy singletrack! Rain usually passes through quickly in Big Bear but we soon realized this downpour was not easing.
The great thing about Maple Hills is there is an abundance of options, so you are not stuck on one big loop and you can change to an alternative route at several places.
Eventually my group chose to shorten our route and head back but still had a great time on the trails we did get to ride. We arrived back to the cars shortly after the other group and said some quick goodbyes as everyone left with smiles on their faces but ready to find somewhere to get warm and dry!
Thanks to Big Bear Chapter Director Ali Hyde for the days recap and volunteering for this new part of our event as well as Susa Mueller!
Despite the threat of rain, 24 women arrived eager to experience some new Big Bear trails!
Maple hills is a relatively new system of exclusively single track trails in Big Bear, located on private land which means E-Bikes are also legal there. We set out as one big group with just a sprinkling of rain.
Fairly quickly we could see a split in the group, so we separated into a faster and a more mellow group. As the rain increased, no one seemed to care as we whooped and hollered through the undulating flowy singletrack! Rain usually passes through quickly in Big Bear but we soon realized this downpour was not easing.
The great thing about Maple Hills is there is an abundance of options, so you are not stuck on one big loop and you can change to an alternative route at several places.
Eventually my group chose to shorten our route and head back but still had a great time on the trails we did get to ride. We arrived back to the cars shortly after the other group and said some quick goodbyes as everyone left with smiles on their faces but ready to find somewhere to get warm and dry!
SNOW VALLEY DH DAY
I can't begin to tell you how much I love Snow Valley! Unfortunately, due to the rain, I only got a few runs in, then I had to make the long drive home so I could get ready to hop on a plane to Minneapolis for the week for work.
We had many first timers this year at Snow Valley. I got to sweep Tamara's fast group which was SOOOOO FAST! I had to constantly pedal to keep up just to sweep the ride! I was so thrilled to be able to help some of these ladies get through the rock garden on Bandit and then be able to photograph it. I remember sessioning this section a lot before I felt comfortable rolling down it. The entrance is a bit tricky to line your bike up due to the climb just before it. The picture makes it look flat. Its not!
I can't begin to tell you how much I love Snow Valley! Unfortunately, due to the rain, I only got a few runs in, then I had to make the long drive home so I could get ready to hop on a plane to Minneapolis for the week for work.
We had many first timers this year at Snow Valley. I got to sweep Tamara's fast group which was SOOOOO FAST! I had to constantly pedal to keep up just to sweep the ride! I was so thrilled to be able to help some of these ladies get through the rock garden on Bandit and then be able to photograph it. I remember sessioning this section a lot before I felt comfortable rolling down it. The entrance is a bit tricky to line your bike up due to the climb just before it. The picture makes it look flat. Its not!
As usual, I left in tears...........happy and proud mama tears. Grateful that my volunteers did such an outstanding job as they always do. Thankful the drama was low and especially thankful no serious injuries.
So many to acknowledge and thank. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the participating organizations for your continued support of our women's mountain biking community.
Enormous thanks to all the volunteers that helped on the front lines for this event and behind the scenes. I can't do this without you. Thank you!
Event sponsor:
Product sponsors:
Venues
Year Round Supporters
Tireless and rock star volunteers
So many to acknowledge and thank. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the participating organizations for your continued support of our women's mountain biking community.
Enormous thanks to all the volunteers that helped on the front lines for this event and behind the scenes. I can't do this without you. Thank you!
Event sponsor:
- Dilbeck Realtors and Leah Dilbeck. THANK YOU!!
Product sponsors:
- Kuat Racks
- San Juan Huts
- Kali Protectives
Venues
- Snow Summit
- Skypark
- Snow Valley
Year Round Supporters
- CORBA
- REI
- Ibis Bicycles
- Eliant Technologies
Tireless and rock star volunteers
- Ali Cross Hyde
- Amy Rambacher
- Andrea Wood
- Anne Yeoh
- Becky Sox
- Cammie Brinkman
- Chelsea McBride
- Dagmar Pascua
- Debra Smith
- Dilbeck Realtors
- Heather Muhle
- Hugh Warren
- Isabel Mesa
- Jeana Miller
- Jeanine Curcione
- Jennifer Disser
- Kamala Slight
- Kathy Tebben
- Kristen Lane
- Laura Watts
- Lauren McDonald
- Leah Dilbeck
- Liz Kurtz
- Sarah Crawford
- Shelly Cheng
- Susan Bowan
- Susan Mueller
- Susie murphy
- Tamara Napier
- Tracy Jones
- Tracy Sheehy
- Wendi Hoagland
I sincerely hope I have not left anyone out. Everyone of you is such a huge part of our organization and our women's mountain biking community, supporting our mission of getting more women to mountain bike and ensure they have a great experience every time. Empowering women through mountain biking. Supporting and cheering each other on. This is our tribe, our strength, our joy and our future. Spread the word, spread the vibe!
An extra special shout out to the San Diego Chapter for such a great showing this year. Well done Kamala Slight, GGR SD chapter Director! I knew that day at the damn I made the right decision. You have completely blown away my expectations as a leader. Thank you and I appreciate you so much.
I also want to extend my enormous thanks & sincere appreciation to Hugh Warren for everything you do behind the scenes to support our community for this event. Thank you for all the extremely valuable direction and advice you always provide to me. Promise I'll practice those switchbacks more........
Until next time, please check your chapters EVENT pages and support the events. If you want to volunteer, please contact your chapter director. We need more volunteers!
Thank you,
GGR Girl Wendy E
An extra special shout out to the San Diego Chapter for such a great showing this year. Well done Kamala Slight, GGR SD chapter Director! I knew that day at the damn I made the right decision. You have completely blown away my expectations as a leader. Thank you and I appreciate you so much.
I also want to extend my enormous thanks & sincere appreciation to Hugh Warren for everything you do behind the scenes to support our community for this event. Thank you for all the extremely valuable direction and advice you always provide to me. Promise I'll practice those switchbacks more........
Until next time, please check your chapters EVENT pages and support the events. If you want to volunteer, please contact your chapter director. We need more volunteers!
Thank you,
GGR Girl Wendy E
