BRAND AMBASSADORS
If Carlsberg made brand ambassadors....
Here at Shred Like a Girl we like to do things a bit differently. We didn't just want our ladies to rep the brand by wearing our MTB apparel, we wanted to have a network of shredders that are passionate about getting more women to ride bikes. And here we have it, a group of awesome ambassadors taking on the MTB world in their own unique ways, having all the fun and spreading joy. You can reach out to any of them to talk bikes, organise rides and get connected.
United Kingdom (UK)
Danielle
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB, wannabe skateparker
Local trails: Cannock Chase, Hopwas woods, Northampton Bike Park.
Favourite place to ride: Forest of Dean!
Favourite bike event to attend? I've only been to the Malverns but it has my heart.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Don't compare yourself to others and push yourself to go to group rides as you will connect and make riding friends. Go to a few though, it takes time to build connections but it's worth the effort 💜
Instagram handle: @lovettdanielle and @girlsonwheelspodcast
Alice
What bike disciplines do you ride? Mountain biking, BMX and road cycling
Local trails: Puddletown Forest, Bournemouth BMX track and the Purbecks, Dorset UK
Favourite place to ride: Forest of Dean - it has so many trails to explore!!
Favourite bike event to attend? Ard Rock - this was a super fun event and I got to meet and ride with loads of awesome women!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Find a nice, friendly group to ride with so you can surround yourself with like minded and supportive people! Don't be afraid to ask questions - the MTB community is so friendly!
Instagram handle: @aliceh1989
Leanne
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB full sus
Local trails: Northampton Bike Park
Favourite place to ride: BikePark Wales
Favourite bike event to attend? Redbull Hardline
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Make sure you have deep pockets 😉 all jokes aside.. Have fun and most of all, if you believe it…then you can achieve it!
Instagram handle: @leanna_shortt21
Sarah and Amy
What bike disciplines do you ride? EMTB and MTB
Local trails: South Wales.. Risca, Smilog, BikePark Wales, Cwmcarn
Favourite place to ride: Dyfi Bike Park
Favourite bike event to attend? DH & Enduro races but looking to get attend more events
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Stay within your comfort zone and go at your own pace.
Instagram handle: @the_turbo_twins_
Sarah Jane (SJ)
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB, downhill, trail, XC
Local trails: Tidworth Freeride Windhill BikePark Swinley Forest, Queen Elizabeth Country Park and Peaslake. I travel a lot to ride so happy to meet people across most of the South, West and East of the UK!
Favourite place to ride: At the moment I'm loving Windhill Bike Park. It's brilliant for winter riding.
Favourite bike event to attend? Redbull Hardline
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Get out and ride as often as you can. Time on the bike is so important for progress and you'll meet so many great people the more time you spend on your bike.
Instagram handle: @trail_birdie
Megan
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Cannock Chase & Forest of Dean (FOD)
Favourite place to ride: FOD and anywhere in Wales 🏴
Favourite bike event to attend? Love a good race event!!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Don’t be afraid to be bad!
Instagram handle: @megdoesmtb
Lisa
What bike disciplines do you ride? Road, MTB, Gravel, Single Speed, Turbo
Local trails: Essex, UK
Favourite place to ride: Kings Forest, Thetford
Favourite bike event to attend? Essex Dirty
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Do you! Some people like riding and doing technical jumps etc, others like trail riding and whatever you choose remember to enjoy it!
Instagram handle: @_fat_girl_fit_
Libby
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Swinley Forest and Forest Of Dean
Favourite place to ride: Dyfi Bike Park for some uplift laps and Forest of Dean for a pedal and some session laps
Favourite bike event to attend? Ladies festivals are always a favourite!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Keep at it and go at your own pace if something is too scary come back and try it another time! Remember that everyone starts from somewhere and just have fun!
Instagram handle: @lib_mtb
Ireland
Laura
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Most of my local trails are located in Munster and in particular Cork city & county in Ireland. We have a vast majority of steep and technical trails which I love especially in winter time where myself and my partner John do alot of night riding. Other areas we bike in are Dublin and Wicklow Mountains.
Favourite place to ride: Glencullen Adventure Park (The GAP) in Dublin as well as Hush in Wicklow Mountains.
Favourite bike event to attend? The Grassroots Enduro Series Events in Ireland
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? I would encourage them to find a local mountain biking club to join so that they can meet like minded bikers and to be included in local spins and be shown the trails by more advanced riders. Seek expert advice from your local bike store before purchasing your first bike. It might be worthwhile getting measured so that you are properly set up and have the right sized seat post etc. One piece of advice I would give is that there is no need to spend a lot of money on your first bike, it's much more important you enjoy the sport first before heavily investing. My first bike was a hardtail (my partner John recommended it) and it helped me learn and become a better rider before upgrading to a full suspension bike. I would also recommend downloading Strava so you can find all the nearest trails close to your home town.
Instagram handle: @lauracarmelpratt
Australia
Tanya
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB and bike paths/shared trails
Local trails: Cobbler Creek, Barossa Valley Trail and Stuart O'Grady Bikeway are all closest. I also travel South to O'Halloran Hill and Craigburn Farm now and again for MTB. All are in South Australia.
Favourite place to ride: O'Halloran Hill or Craigburn Farm
Favourite bike event to attend? GESA Women's Enduro
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Never compare yourself to other riders. It's your journey so take it at your own pace and enjoy it. Just get out there, give it a go and feel the freedom and serenity of what is around you - you'll soon feel your self-confidence rise as you improve each ride.
Instagram handle: @tfielding05
Belinda
What bike disciplines do you ride? Enduro MTB
Local trails: Mount Keira, Cringila, Possums, Wollongong, NSW
Favourite place to ride: I don’t have one place that I love out of the rest, I really enjoy a variety. From Thredbo, to Stromlo to Mount Keira. From jump line to enduro. It depends on what I’m feeling.
Favourite bike event to attend? I used to compete in the The Kowalski Classic but unfortunately they are no longer running. I am hoping to get into the Rocky trail events
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Don’t let falling off discourage you. You will surprise yourself when it comes to testing your limits. Believe in yourself, don’t compare, and trust your learning process. Your mental game is more powerful then you think. Once you pass your threshold, you will feel incredible and that’s when you start pushing and the next thing you know your jumping or doing a certain skill you never thought you would get to.
Instagram handle: @be1indamckenzie
Christine
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Bayview Conservation Park, Scribbly Gums Conservation Area, East Escarpment Conservation Area. All in Brisbane QLD
Favourite place to ride: Daisy Hill Consveration Park
Favourite bike event to attend? Chicks in the Sticks
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? I would highly recommended doing MTB skills training course plus believe in yourself and don’t compare yourself to anyone else as you are on your own journey. One last thing be patient with yourself.
Instagram handle: @christine.mckay
Jo
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Sugarbag, Sunshine Coast QLD
Favourite place to ride: Falls Creek
Favourite bike event to attend? Crankworx
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? You don't have to have a great bike or clothing, just give it a go. Lessons are well worth investing in when you catch the bug.
Instagram handle: @jopro72 and @all_ridemtb
Emily
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB
Local trails: Stromlo - Canberra
Favourite place to ride: Maydena Bike Park, Tasmania
Favourite bike event to attend? Block Party at Greenvalleys in Albion Park, NSW Australia
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Find a group of friends that you can go out and have fun with, and give each other encouragement. Use the group's support and challenge yourself to improve on one thing every ride.
Instagram handle: @downhill_chick
Allegra
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB, gravel, bit of road
Local trails: Brisbane and south east QLD
Favourite place to ride: Tasmania, Australia
Favourite bike event to attend? Ride camp Tasmania - Ride Technics
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? It’s ok to check out a new feature, take your time.
Instagram handle: @Lifeforce_with_allegra
United States (USA)
Willow
What bike disciplines do you ride? MTB, BMX, dirt jumping
Local trails: Nebraska, Lancaster County, USA
Favourite place to ride: Locally I’ve really enjoyed Oxbow and our trail systems in Nebraska have grown (and continue to) so much. It’s so cool to see the riders come together to make our state a dope place to ride. Outside of Nebraska I love riding in Bentonville, AR
Favourite bike event to attend? It has to be the USA BMX Grand Nationals. It’s the most intense and exciting event of the year and you get the opportunity to race people from all over the world!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in MTB? Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, that’s something that held me back for a long time. The biking community (from my experience) is so welcoming and helpful to new riders.
Instagram handle: @willow.rides.bikes