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I was 40 when I bought my first mountain bike. 

I had recently ended a relationship and was heartbroken. After a quick Google search on how to heal from a separation, I jumped head-first into a brand new hobby, just like the people on the internet suggested. 

It wasn’t a hard decision. I was already living in a world-class destination for mountain biking, and I already had a few friends who were avid riders. So I found a $1,500 intro mountain bike for sale that I liked the look of, and that I could cram into my Honda Fit for rides on one of the North Shore Mountains. 

And just like that, newly single and ready to distract myself, my mountain bike journey began. 

It was a painful and sweaty introduction to the sport—I was badly out of shape, awkwardly learning how to navigate slippery roots, and crashing regularly, but I immediately connected with the combination of an adrenaline-pumping physical activity and the stunningly beautiful forests of the Sea-to-Sky. I was lucky enough to be mentored by a few kind friends for the first few months, but I was keen to ride with others more at my level so as not to hold my more advanced friends back.

A few Facebook mountain bike groups connected me with some (mostly male) riders at my level, and we took off. Our progression skyrocketed. But as much as I was enjoying the time with my new group, I began wanting more women to ride with.

When women ride together, there is a sweet, supportive, and playful energy in the air. The usual “testosterone peacocking” (a term I may have invented) which inevitably happens when riding with a group of dudes doesn’t exist; instead, a more encouraging, grateful, and fun atmosphere is present when women come together in the woods to play, push themselves, and connect. As one of my friends describes it: “riding with women is sacred.”

And so, in March of 2023, I put the call out for more female friends to ride with on the North Shore. A whopping 70 women replied. Clearly I wasn’t the only one looking for more women to ride with. Thankfully, friend and fellow rider Cathleen Whitty volunteered to help organize and shape our new group. A few weeks later, another 70 women+ riders joined.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C430tFByZsy

And just like that, the Shore Sirens were born. We’re a community of women+ and non-binary mountain bikers on the North Shore who want to connect and learn—on and off the trails—in a safe and supportive environment.   

Mountain biking is not just a sport—it’s a culture and a community. It’s an identity, a way of life, and a way of seeing the world. As we fly down the mountain, hooting and hollering down the trails, squealing with glee and excitement, we are living in the moment. We get to leave our days, the news, and any other distractions behind as we focus on the obstacles directly in front of us. 

A priority for us is acknowledging that the land we ride and play on is unceded territory belonging to the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish First Nations, and as such, we dedicate our privilege and resources to supporting Indigenous-led organizations through partnerships with Indigenous Women Outdoors and offering free club membership to any Indigenous female-identifying mountain biker. 

We also aim to create and strengthen connections between members, and within the larger outdoor community, through group rides, trail dig days, events, and workshops. 

And finally, we, the Sirens, unapologetically take up space in a traditionally cis-male sport. Everyone should feel welcome on the trails, and we are hoping to create opportunities for all folks to access and enjoy mountain biking as much as we do.

We see the Shore Sirens as a way to create more space for people who haven’t been represented by the sport. We’re already seeing the impact of our community, and we want to keep it going (and growing!). We need a safe place to shred—one where we all feel included. For this reason, we have recently registered as a non-profit organization.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5jU33EvWDw/?img_index=1

The word “siren” refers to either a device that makes a loud, prolonged sound as a signal or warning to others, or to a female character who is alluring yet dangerous with her song. For me, both definitions work perfectly.