From aspiration to inspiration

As Women's History Month unfolds, Liv uncovers the myriad ways in which mountain biking transcends mere recreation, serving as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, community building, healing and empowerment. Though hailing from diverse backgrounds and pursuing distinct aspirations, these women remind us that within the vibrant tapestry of cycling lies a boundless spirit of resilience, inclusivity, and shared joy, waiting to be embraced by all who dare to ride.

Jenn Jackson

At the forefront of professional mountain biking stands Jenn Jackson, a formidable athlete and esteemed member of the Liv Factory Racing team. With her unwavering determination and unparalleled skill, Jackson has carved her path to success, inspiring countless individuals along the way. Her story embodies perseverance and the sheer joy of pushing one's limits against the backdrop of nature's majesty.

What inspired you to start mountain biking?

I grew up mountain biking as a kid with my family on the weekends, but as I got older was very involved in other sports so cycling became primarily a mode of transportation - I commuted to school throughout university, and then rediscovered the sport afterwards when I got a summer job working at a bike shop. That summer I re-kindled the love for mountain biking with my new friends, got involved in the local race scene, and it all took off from there.

Main motivation to ride:

To become fitter and faster, to be outdoors in nature, and enjoy the sensation of being in motion.

Learn more about Jenn

Manda Freyman

Manda Freyman, the visionary founder of The MTB Exchange, champions inclusivity and camaraderie within the mountain biking community. Through her innovative program, Freyman creates opportunities for female riders from all corners of Ontario to come together, forge connections, and embark on exhilarating adventures atop two wheels. Her dedication to fostering a supportive environment reflects a profound commitment to empowering women in cycling and amplifying their voices within the sport.

What inspired you to start mountain biking?

Educator & documentarian, Miho Aida inspired me to get back on my bike. It was collecting dust in my basement after coming home from university. As I was stuck in the vortex of adulting and discovering who I was. So, in 2008 after watching Aida’s film project If She Can Do It, You Can Too: Empowering Women Through Outdoor Role Models, which helped promote the stories of diverse women involved in outdoor sports and the environment. I searched for a women’s mountain bike club in my community that I could join [...] and became a member of the Michigan Mountain Bike association.

Main motivation to ride:

Riding my bike makes me feel young and adventurous. At the mature age of 48 I’m finding my own personal expression on my mountain bike. I feel strong and I feel like anything is possible. I more than ever identify myself as a mountain biker.

Learn more about The MTB Exchange

Janice Tessman

Janice Tessman is a retired geoscientist and newcomer to the world of mountain biking. For Tessman, the discovery of mountain biking marked a pivotal moment of self-discovery and empowerment, illuminating a path towards healing and newfound confidence. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of cycling and the profound impact it can have on overcoming challenges.

What inspired you to start mountain biking?

In the year prior to the pandemic I was treated for cancer. While the treatment was very successful, its side effects were equally problematic, leaving me very much diminished, both physically and emotionally at the end. As an avid outdoors person, I realized that being active outside was going to be key to my recovery on all levels, so in late fall 2020 I moved to Fernie, BC for the winter. As the ski season drew to a close I started to ask around to see what was next. There was one resounding reply – we mountain bike! So at the age of 61 I began to mountain bike!

Main motivation to ride: For me, there are very few things that enhance my sense of well being, both physically and emotionally, more than riding my bike in the woods, especially with friends.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced getting started in this sport?

[JENN] Overcoming fear and accepting risk. It takes time to develop confidence to try, and confidence in your abilities, but you can get there with practice and right support.

[MANDA] Socioeconomic status. I knew early on that I wanted to mountain bike. Growing up as an athlete and always being drawn to sport I was aware of friends who had mountain bikes and were riding our local trails. I grew up in Sudbury, my father was a miner for INCO. In the 80’s our town experienced an economical hardship when the price of nickel plummeted and thousand of miners in our town were preminately laid off from the mines. I wasn’t the only kid who had to go without or wait for available money that could be appropriated towards extra curricular activities. If the sport was free, I participated. Otherwise I would have to get a part time job and save my pennies to afford a new mountain bike. And bikes were expensive even in the late 80’s when I was eager to jump into the sport!

[JANICE] When I first started riding covid was in full swing so there was no organized riding, whether it be club rides, lessons or even informal group riding. Consequently, I spent my first 4 months riding several thousand km mostly solo, exploring the single track as well as the fire and logging roads in and around Fernie. I think folks would agree that this would be a pretty risky undertaking for any new rider. So, for me, I’d have to say that my biggest challenge when I was starting out was the absence of group riding and lesson opportunities.

In your opinion, what role plays organizations like The MTB Exchange in getting more women on bikes?

[JANICE] In my opinion, riding organizations, such as MTB clubs associated with a particular trail network or a shop, play a huge role in supporting female riders who are new to the sport. This support can be key to encouraging new riders, especially women and girls, who can sometimes be intimidated about trying a new sport.

The MTB Exchange plays a very important role in that it is specifically geared toward women riders of all levels. New riders who participate in an event are guided along appropriate trails, together with other women who ride at the same level, benefitting from the support, mentoring, and coaching offered by more experienced riders.

As their riding progresses they can shift to a more appropriate group, and continue their learning journey. Additionally, because The MTB Exchange organizes rides at trailheads all over Ontario, riders are able to easily explore new trail systems and experience different terrain and riding challenges, thereby further developing their skill sets. There’s little doubt that most riders, new or even experienced, can find the idea of trying out a new trail system to be daunting.

[MANDA] As the owner of The MTB Exchange, I’ve been fortunate to meet and share space with so many incredible women, over a wide range of ages, back grounds and communities across the province. In the beginning the idea was to create a safe and encouraging space for women to enjoy mountain biking outside their home trail networks. Allowing them to make friends and gain some confidence in exploration and being uncomfortable with the unknown.

Today, I feel like our rides are about sharing so much more with each other. I watch women empowering other women to find “the fighter” within themselves. They share a passion for doing things they thought were not possible. You truly never know what your limits are until you test them! Feeling scared is as real as feeling powerful.

What can brands do to support female riders?

[JENN] Foster a culture/environment that is focused on enabling women to become better versions of themselves, believe in themselves, and support others to do the same.

[MANDA] As a non profit organization, The MTB Exchange’s mission is to provide riding opportunities for women with a no financial barrier for entry. We could simply not provide this service without the support and belief of brands like Liv. This brand support attracts new riders like Janice to participate and become an ambassador for our brand/s in an organic way that breeds trust and builds our community through word of mouth. Brand support helps bring good ideas to life. And more important helps to keep the movement going.

[JANICE] I think that because mountain biking is very much a male dominated sport it’s important that, at a minimum, brands make an effort to communicate to the riders that they are listening and trying to be in tune with their specific needs, and that they are striving to develop goods and services to meet them. I also think it’s important that women mountain bikers are able to see other women riders represented in the media, as role models.