Last weekend we were in Bentonville, Arkansas, home of Walmart and some of the most iconic gravel and mountain biking trails in the country, for the Life Time Big Sugar Classic. If you haven’t been to Bentonville you must go. I had so much fun tootling around on trails getting lost for hours and giving off the biggest smile, while my husband rode with Alexey Vermeulen and Willie on a shakeout ride (How cool, I know). Okay, back to my story, I’m not racing, I’m on support crew duty for Rob (husband) who signed up for the 50 miler. It’s race morning, and we’re wandering around like tourists because, well, we are. We’ve never been to Bentonville, and we’re standing on a random street corner staring at a corner Walmart like it’s a monument. Naturally, we went in. For what? No idea.
When we walked out, we saw something even more unexpected, Sofía Gómez Villafañe (if you don’t know who she is, you absolutely should), national champion, gravel and MTB queen, just casually spinning away on her trainer on the sidewalk, yes, the sidewalk, right in front of Walmart. Cool as a cucumber, totally unbothered, just doing her warm-up like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Then, 30 minutes before the 100 mile start, the announcer hops on the mic to say due to severe weather, the 100 milers were now doing the 50. Chaos? Nope. Sofía didn’t flinch. No meltdown. Just good vibes and watts.
Later? She attacked on a climb like she had something to prove (spoiler alert, she didn’t), and came flying into the finish line sporting knife earrings and pure fire. Watching her ride was powerful. Watching her ride with style was next-level inspiring. I know, I know, we’re talking gravel here. In this moment, it reminded me of exactly how much women are transforming cycling, gravel, mountain, all of it, and how we’re finally seeing that shift not just on podiums, but on sidewalks outside Walmart.
Mountain biking, in particular, has long been viewed as a male dominated sport. The classic image of big drops, gnarly downhill lines, and a dude in goggles sending it off a rock slab, but that picture’s being rewritten. Women aren’t just showing up to the sport, being total savages, and they’re actively reshaping its culture, pushing its limits, and making it more inclusive, dynamic, and fun. Who doesn’t love that?
Not long ago, it was common for women to feel like afterthoughts in this sport. From gear that didn’t fit right and bikes that weren’t built for their bodies, to race events with one token women’s category and zero representation on the podium, the barriers were real, both visible and invisible. Those barriers are completely broken down, and women have now flipped the script. They’re not only riding, they’re building trails, coaching clinics, organizing races, winning races, creating organizations, and leading movements.
A huge part of that shift is thanks to the amazing community (both men and women). Women led ride groups, skill clinics, and social rides have popped up across the country, including many right here in Michigan. These groups aren’t just about getting faster or braver (though that totally happens), they’re about connection. It’s less “who can finish first?” and more “who brought snacks and good vibes.” That’s what makes it so powerful, for new riders, it’s not about fitting into a bro-y group ride (which is fun too, actually), it’s about finding your people. That made all the difference for me.
Representation matters, too, from sendy downhill Red Bull Rampage to XC World Cups, we’re finally seeing women ride the way they’ve always been able to, just with more visibility and support. Athletes like Kate Courtney, Casey Brown, and yes, Sofía Gómez Villafañe, are proving that skill, grit, and style don’t belong to one gender. Watching them ride sends a clear message that if you love dirt, speed, jumps and singletrack, this sport is for you.
The gear side of things? Also changing, thank goodness. Brands are finally designing bikes and gear for real female riders, not just painting things pink and calling it good. Geometry, sizing, suspension tuning, saddle design.
Why does all this matter? Because when more people ride, especially people who’ve historically felt left out, the sport grows in the best ways. It becomes more diverse, more creative, and more sustainable. It brings new perspectives, better gear, stronger communities, and yes, sometimes knife earrings.
So whether you’re a beginner thinking about your first trail ride, a seasoned rider chasing those Strava PRs, QOM’s (or KOM’s), or someone cheering from the sidelines with snacks in hand, you’re part of this shift. The face of mountain biking is changing, and it’s looking a whole lot more like all of us together doing something that we ALL love.
And who knows? Maybe the next time you walk out of a Walmart, you’ll see a woman on a trainer, spinning toward greatness like it’s just another day on the bike.
Thank you to Haleigh Curtis @curtis_haleigh_mtb for being our 2025 Iceman Trailblazer!