Skip to main content
 
Liv Committed > Ruckus Racing | Liv Committed

Ruckus Racing

Shaking up the Vancouver Cycling Scene

Vancouver, BC has positioned itself as one of the healthiest cities in the world. Whether it’s cycling, trail running, mountain biking, hiking or climbing, Vancouverites sure love spending time outside. It’s no coincidence that the city has become a hub for cycling clubs of all sorts of disciplines, with lots of them starting in the past few years in the aftermath of the pandemic.

This was the perfect storm for the creation of Ruckus Racing, a new team of road cyclist dedicated to make racing more accessible, supportive and fun to women. After an amazing first season and exponential growth over the 2 years they’ve been active, we catch up with co-founder Corinne Kirtland on how the idea came to be. One thing is clear — women want to be fast…and cause a bit of a ruckus while they’re there.

Liv: Tell us about when Ruckus Racing was founded, and how it all came together?

Corinne: Ruckus Racing was created to carve out a space where women could feel inspired, supported, and celebrated in competitive cycling. After entering the sport together in 2022 and confronting the challenges women often face in racing, our founding members decided to create something better something that challenged the status quo and well, caused a bit of a “ruckus”. The first sparks of Ruckus Racing were born when we campaigned to add a Women's Novice field to a local race event — creating an equal space for women to compete. In 2023 Ruckus was created, out of this desire to build a community where women are empowered to learn, race, and grow together.

Liv: What were the goals of creating a new racing team in Vancouver?

Corinne: “Having fun, taken seriously.” That’s our motto, and it perfectly captures the spirit of Ruckus. We’re here to shift the narrative around bike racing. Yes, we’re competitive and dedicated but we’re also here to bring fun, flair, and a whole lot of good vibes to a traditionally male-dominated space. Racing can often seem intimidating to newcomers, and we’re here to break down that barrier — to share the joy and growth that can come with toeing the start line and expanding your comfort zone.

We’re committed to creating a culture where all types of racing are welcomed. Many of us were initially steered into just one discipline, but Ruckus encourages exploration — whether you're into tight crits, grueling climbs, or remote gravel grinds, we’re here to support the team every pedal stroke of the way.

Liv: How has the team evolved and grown since it started?

Corinne: Ruckus has grown in ways we never expected. Every year during applications, we’re amazed by how many women show up, excited and ready to race. It’s a reminder that the desire to compete and connect is strong and growing. We’ve also expanded our presence across cycling disciplines. Today, our riders compete in road races, crits, time trials, cyclocross, gravel, and mountain biking. Ruckus is no longer just a team; it’s a movement. Since Ruckus has started, women’s racing in Vancouver has grown exponentially! We’ve watched other women's teams launch and it’s honestly what we wanted to see happen! Femme Fatale and Instinct Racing are just two of Vancouver’s new women's only teams, and it’s so fun to race alongside them. In addition to that, Vancouver’s many mixed gender teams have grown their women's cohort. They are our competitors, sure, but most importantly, they are our friends and allies!

Liv: Tell us a bit more about the team and how many members you currently have?

Corinne: We currently have 25 riders – more than double our original roster! I act as the team manager and keep the wheels turning behind the scenes. We also have two key committees that help keep Ruckus thriving.

Liv: What are your two different committees about?

Corinne: We’re lucky to have some brilliant, driven women on this team. That’s why we created two committees to help us grow:

  • Race Committee: Focused on everything competitive — race calendars, training, logistics, and team strategy.
  • Ruckus + Friends Committee: This group leads our community-building efforts,
    organizing inclusive social events and rides. Because not everyone races, but everyone deserves a place on the bike.

Liv: Tell us a bit more about your personal stories, how and when did you discover cycling?

Corinne: We will be here all day if we went through everyone’s starting story, but many of us got into it via two routes:

  • We started cycling with our (male) partners. Riding together was a great intro, but we all eventually found ourselves craving the opportunity to push ourselves on the bike alongside other women. The Ruckus community grew out of that desire for connection.
  • We also have a strong contingent of women with athletic pasts — rowing, lacrosse, horseback riding, surfboat rowing (look it up – it’s wild!). Research shows that one in three girls drop out of sports by their late teens. We’re determined to help reverse that trend by offering a place to embrace competition, community, and confidence as adults.

Liv: What would you say are your top 3 racing highlights since you started?

Corinne:

  • Welcoming new racers: Watching first-time racers dive in with courage and leave with huge smiles is one of the biggest highlights. It’s what Ruckus is all about.
  • Tour de Bloom: This iconic stage race in Wenatchee is a team favourite. With free novice entries and a strong Vancouver turnout, it’s become a Ruckus tradition — and we’ve podiumed every year!
  • Gastown Grand Prix: One of North America’s most prestigious crits. We’ve seen Ruckus riders line up beside some of the world’s top pros (like Alison Jackson) just a few years after their first race.
  • xFondo Partnership: Our gravel racers are often outnumbered at the start line, so we partnered with xFondo to help double the number of women racing in Whistler in 2024. Cue the happy tears when we saw the female turnout! Seeing Ruckus and friends on the podium at every distance was just the cherry on top.

Liv: And what about your top 3 non-racing highlights?

Corinne:

  • April Social Rides: We hosted four open rides in Vancouver, just to help women find each other. On day one, 30 riders showed up, and the friendships have kept rolling ever since. There is a huge demand from women looking to ride hard and build community in Vancouver, and we were blown away by how many women showed up week over week.
  • Our kit collab with Samsara: Since day one, Samsara has been our go-to. For 2024/25, our teammate Ashley designed a loud, fun, and totally Ruckus “fast flowers” kit that’s turned heads everywhere.
  • Community support: Whether it’s supporting each other at events or welcoming newcomers with open arms, the Ruckus spirit off the bike is just as strong as it is on.

Liv: What are your plans for this season?

Corinne: We’re racing across all disciplines, growing our community, and continuing to advocate for women in cycling. Expect to see us at local crits, gravel races, and stage races — and leading the charge on social rides and skill-building sessions. Some highlight races for the team this season include Tour de Bloom, the Buckshot bikepacking race, xFondo and Shim’s Grand Prix.

Liv: How is Ruckus Racing advocating for more women on bikes?

Corinne: Here’s a list of some of the things we have done:

  • Advocating for women-only start lines and race categories
  • Building a welcoming, supportive community
  • Collaborating with race organizers to improve race access and messaging
  • Sharing racing tips and how-to content
  • Partnering with Cycling BC to host women-only “Learn to Race” clinics
  • Creating space and hosting events for race-curious women to push themselves and expand their comfort zone.

Liv: Rapid fire! What’s your pre-race ritual?

Corinne:

  • Chicken, potato and broccoli the night before!
  • A big coffee to get me going
  • Keep calm, and the nerves at bay
  • Go to the bathroom about 38 times
  • Hang with the Ruckus girls, and our Ruckus friends!

Liv: What’s your go-to post-ride treat?

Corinne: A burger!

Liv: What’s your dream ride destination?

Corinne: Bike packing across the world… Check out Lael Wilcox if you haven’t already, total inspiration!

Liv: What’s one thing you always bring on a ride?

Corinne: Snacks! Never underestimate the power of fueling.

Liv: What song gets you pumped for a ride?

Corinne: Man! I feel like a woman! (which has become the Ruckus anthem!)

Liv: How can people follow you and/or join the team?

Corinne: Follow us @ruckusrcng on Instagram! We open up applications each Fall, keep eyes peeled!

Ruckus Racing is a sponsored team of Liv Cycling Canada. Follow and cheer on them!

Other Stories of Commitment