News just in from girls only biking series Stilettos On Wheels…
With so much in the news about more publicity for women’s cycling recently, the Stilettos On Wheels team thought they should offer an update on their girls-only biking event. Stilettos On Wheels is an xc mountain bike race for women only, launched only last year the event has really taken off in 2013 with almost double the number of competitors in the northern round back in May.
The latest event will be held at Stanmer Park, Brighton, on Saturday 7th September.
Stilettos On Wheels was created to provide a fun and supportive race environment to encourage more women into mountain bike racing. Brighton event organiser Irene Lachner says:
“Mountain biking is a fantastic sport, the freedom of being on a bike in the great outdoors is second to none. Stilettos On Wheels gives women the opportunity to compete both with and against others in a friendly, women-specific race. Whether the girls are racing to win a place on the podium or to achieve a personal goal, the aim of the event is for everyone to have a good time and really celebrate the women in mountain biking, which is stereotypically quite a male-dominated sport.”
The Brighton race will feature two-hour and four-hour solo races, as well as a four-hour pairs event (run in a relay format). The course takes in some fantastic swooping singletrack in the woodland of Stanmer Park, Brighton (the not-so-secret playground of many a Brighton mountain biking fanatic). The course has been designed to ensure there is something for everyone, from the experienced racer to the complete novice. Every finisher will receive a bespoke sprocket medal, and the top three in each category will also receive a leather medal, exclusively designed for Stilettos On Wheels by professional leather and metal worker (and keen cyclist) Katie Bebbington of Dormouse Inc.
This year the event is also offering the brand new ‘Cinderella’ lap. This is for riders who’re not sure about taking part in the whole race, but still want to give it a try and be part of the action. Cinderella riders can purchase one lap for £7.50 on the day and can go out and ride at any time between 11am and 2.30pm. They will receive their own race timing chip so they can check their achievement at the end. And if the Cinderella rider enjoyed her lap so much she wants to do another, she can just buy another lap, easy peasy. There will also be a special prize given to the Cinderella rider with the fastest lap time.
Events sponsors have proffered an amazing amount of goodies this year so with podium prizes and spot prizes up for grabs, Stilettos On Wheels is one event definitely worth getting out of bed for. Prestige Cycles, from Hove (actually) will be providing bike support for any mechanicals before or during the race. They are also bringing a couple of test bikes for anyone who wants to test ride a lighter, shinier bike! Bamboo Bikes will also be back at the event, showing off their fab bamboo mountain bike. Women’s specific bike kit from Ana Nichoola, Trail42 and Morvelo will be on display. Energy and recovery products will be available to buy from Torq Fitness on the day to keep you all going throughout the race. Displaying lovely bike tools and kit will be event sponsors Lezyne, Exposure Lights, Mt Zoom, and Od Pod. Hove-based Active Physio Clinics will also be present on the day to provide pre- and post-race advice and therapy (but not during the two-hour event as owner Sabreen will be riding her bike in her second ever mountain bike race – last year’s Stilettos On Wheels was the first and this year she’s back for more, hurrah!).
Riders will also be able to purchase the latest Stilettos On Wheels race jersey and water bottle (designed to make you ride faster, honest!). Guided pre-rides of the course will also be available for riders to get a taste of the fun to follow on the Friday evening at 5pm and 6pm, contact the Stilettos On Wheels team to book in for a pre-ride.
Online registration for the race is open until Tuesday 3rd September; entry will also be available on the day. Riders can find more information, register for the race, and purchase gorgeous purple Stilettos On Wheels race jerseys on the website www.stilettosonwheels.com.
