HOPE WOMEN ENDURO 2025
As anyone who’s been to a previous PMBA Hope WMN enduro will have come to expect – last weekend’s event was an impeccably well run affair and a timely reminder for me of just how much I love riding my bike.
Rolling into event HQ on the sunny Saturday morning, the excitement was palpable. I’d been feeling pretty nervous about my first race in a couple of years, but the nerves soon dissipated as I immediately ran into familiar friendly faces and riders who were the living embodiment of “just stoked to be here”.
The stoke continued as we rolled out of HQ and made our way up the climb. Arriving at the top there was a lot of “that wasn’t too bad actually” chat, something I’d remind myself of and laugh after the 8th lap of the climb – I swear it got longer every time!
The nerves and excitement were building in the queue at the top of stage 1; my nerves got the better of me, so me and Laura opted to max-out the mash-up option and roll along to the much quieter startline for stage 2.
After a quick natter with the smiley marshals (including very kind offers of haribo), we were off! Stage two (AKA Tight & Twisty) was the steeper and more technically demanding of the 3 stages, with some tight corners, a cheeky bombhole and some mega-tight sections weaving through the beautiful mixed woodland. Fresh from the climb and straight into it after very little bike riding over the summer, first time down it was a fairly spicy affair. I was beyond delighted to get to the bottom without hugging any trees and with my collarbones intact, I’d even managed to avoid making any particularly silly mistakes. What a blast!
Time to climb again, this time resorting to pushing and chatting far sooner than I had on the first lap.
Not quite as quickly as last time, we were back at the queue for stage one and a welcome chance to catch our breath and chat to fellow riders. The atmosphere was buzzing!
Stage 1 (AKA “Skids & Grins”) wasn’t as steep as stage two but there were plenty of tight trees (and roots) to negotiate and some almighty pedalling efforts. Popping out onto the fire road, I assumed that was me done, only for the marshal to point out there was still a big chunk of the stage left to go! Back into galloping mode along some gorgeous woodland singletrack, some tasty flat corners fun pumpy sections and pop, we were done.
Catching my breath at the bottom, I realised just how much fun I was having – it’s been ages since I’ve ridden my bike properly without a tight deadline or a toddler clinging to the bars, and I certainly wasn’t on my own, riders of all ages and spectators alike were whooping and cheering with joy. Everyone was loving the sunshine and the fantastic trails. I was desperate for more!
Up (and up and up) again to the top of the final stage and I was well into the swing of things. Stage 3 (AKA “Twisted Sister”) delivered more fun, flowy trails with a few sections of tabletops and doubles to test our piloting skills. I LOVED this stage, plenty of fun and plenty of challenge. In common with the other stages; this was just the right mix of challenging features and flow to make for super engaging racing and a MASSIVE amount of fun. I was absolutely beaming as I crossed through the finish timers. Let’s go again!! (But first, lunch, and a natter…)
By the end of the day, thanks to the mash-up format, we’d managed to ride 8 stages in all sorts of higgledy-piggledy orders, giving us the opportunity to experiment with line choice and (more importantly) enjoy the trails several times over. Eventually, exhausted and beaming from ear to ear, we decided to quit whilst we were ahead and head back to HQ to eat, nosey round the many trade stands, soak up the atmosphere and have a big sit down before podiums.
Podiums rolled round, ably presented by fastest rider of the day and all round legend Tracy Moseley and I even bagged a number 3 spot in the masters, wonderfully and unexpectedly topping off an absolutely cracking day’s riding.
I’d had a total BLAST and been reminded just how much joy riding bikes brings me. Chatting to people at race HQ and later at the campsite, it became clear that I wasn’t on my own in this: So many women I spoke to reflected on how important events like this are to them – a chance to catch up with friends and fellow riders, ride and race together and carve out space to just be yourself, without any pressure. Loads of people told me this was their first ever race, or their first enduro, and absolutely everyone was buzzing about how much fun they’d had.
I came away from the weekend reflecting on just how impactful women’s events like the Hope WMN enduro are. Yes, on the face of it, it’s just riding bikes; but actually it’s so much more than that – a chance to do something that’s just for us, without the pressure of looking out for anyone else - an opportunity to check in with ourselves, and a lovely way to spend a weekend: riding bikes in the sun with our mates. Huge thanks to Hope, PMBA, Forestry England, all the organisers and (most importantly) all the riders, for continuing to carve out these important spaces for women from all over to come together, ride bikes and have fun!
Quotes
I just want to say thank you for such a fantastic event today! As someone who has ridden for over 20 years but has never entered a race it was an awesome day! Everything was so well organised, and there was such a fun and friendly atmosphere. There were so many people commenting on what a great event it was, so I hope you get lots of other good feedback 😊
I would 100% do it again if you do come back next year!
Kate. Forestry England
From World Champs one day to being one of 220 women many taking part in their first ever race this weekend…. I love bikes
I grew up with a brother and have spent my life in a male dominated world and loved it and am very grateful for the opportunities I have had….but I know for a lot of women their journey to bikes and racing is not the same and events like the @hope_wmn enduro are the best events ever to come and have a go at mountain bike racing.
The buzz, energy and atmosphere was just magical … and we had the weather.
Tracy Moseley
It's been a long time since I did any kind of racing, and I'm pretty out of practise at downhill, I'm more of a cross country/adventure rider these days.
......but a last minute entry to the @hope_wmn enduro at FOD this weekend showed it went from 'omg don't like it, don't like it, don't like it' to 'yeehaw this is so much fun!' & big smiles. Even finished a respectable mid table in the impressively large old lady category. Thanks to @hope_wmn for a brilliant, supportive, friendly event.
Emma D
Yesterday was a day I’ll never forget – my first ever enduro at the Hope WMN Forest of Dean.
I went in expecting to finish dead last (and was totally fine with that)… but here’s the thing: it was never about the time. It was about showing up, completing it, and proving to myself that I could. And I did
Huge love to Hope WMN for creating such an empowering event. The vibe was unreal, the women were incredible, and I left feeling stronger, braver, and already thinking about the next one.
Emily. Founder of Trailbloom
Words: Rosie Holdsworth
Pictures: Sadie Aldridge