Shifting Gears: Roam Fest's Mission to Transform Mountain Biking Culture

In this episode, the Ski Moms welcome Sam Ryan, Director of Partnerships at Roam Fest, who shares her evolution from mental health professional to mountain bike advocate. Sam discusses how Roam Fest has grown from a small gathering to an 800+ person celebration of women and non-binary riders, complete with workshops, guided rides, and legendary dance parties.

Sam offers valuable insights for newcomers to mountain biking, emphasizing the importance of finding supportive women's riding groups and welcoming bike shops. We explore how Roam Fest creates an inclusive environment through affinity groups, ranging from parent riders to geologists to sober riders, ensuring everyone finds their community.

The discussion delves into the transformation of the mountain biking industry, highlighting the increasing presence of women-owned brands and female representatives. Particularly relevant for ski moms is the parallel between learning to ski and starting mountain biking, with recommendations for coaching organizations like VNTRbirds and All Ride.

For those interested in attending Roam Fest, Sam details the logistics of the three-day festival, including camping arrangements, demo bikes, guided rides, and workshops. 

Roam Fest 2025 will take place September 19-21, 2025 in Fruita, Colorado, sign up here! 

Keep up with Roam Fest:
Website: https://roamfest.com
Instagram: @thisisroam
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/roamevents

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