Photos: Supplied.
CONTRIBUTED BY RATS CYCLING CLUB
The most popular women’s mountain biking event in Australia, Chicks in the Sticks, will return this year to Karingal Scout Camp at Mt Cotton on 20 August.
Women of all ages and mountain biking capabilities will hit up the specially-created trails at Karingal Scout Camp in a colourful and plucky celebration of adventure-loving women.
The racing chicks often get dressed up in crazy costumes to ride, chat, eat, drink and even camp overnight in beautiful surroundings and a supportive atmosphere.
Run by the local and largest mountain biking club in Australia, RATS, the event has drawn in hundreds of women each year since the event’s inception in 2015. RATS also has the largest membership of women of any mountain biking club in Australia.
RATS President, Lonnie Toia, said that the event has been so successful because it allows a diverse group of adventurous and spirited women to ‘spread their wings’, even if they are ‘coming out of their shells’ for the first time.
“Some of the chicks who attend Chicks in the Sticks are racing more seriously, while others are having fun in teams or as individuals and are socialising and drinking coffee in between laps.
“There’s no pressure to race hard; the aim of this fun event is to build confidence and have a lot of fun in the dirt whether you’re new to the sport or an old hand,” he said.
“And I think that’s why it has been the biggest female mountain biking event in Australia for a long time. It’s totally inclusive of women from all backgrounds and is also a great day out for the whole family.”
The event has multiple race categories with different race lengths and difficulties, including:
- Chicken Run (A Grade/experienced individuals)
- Free Range (B Grade/confident riders individuals)
- Have a Crack (Newly-hatched MTB individual riders)
- Queens of the Coop (optional 50 and above individual riders)
- Battery Hens (individual E-bike riders)
- Clipped Wings (for brave, single-speed individuals)
- Hard-Boiled Double Yolkers (experienced teams of two, relay style)
- Soft-Boiled Double Yolkers (newly-hatched teams of two, relay style)
- Junior Double Yolkers (11-15 year of teams of two)
- Chicken Nuggets (5-10 years, 20-minute modified course)
- Chick-a-Dees (10-15 years, 30-minute enduro modified course)
Mr Toia said the race is even more remarkable because it is run by a group of volunteers who put in lots of time to make sure women are encouraged to participate in a lesser-known, but incredibly fun and rewarding sport.
“It’s amazing how many women feedback about how this sport has helped change their lives, gave them confidence, helped them meet other great women and got them back into nature and a healthy lifestyle. We’d like more women to experience the benefits of mountain biking and this event is a great way to encourage that,” he said.
For more information on racing or volunteering, go to www.ratscc.com.au/chicks-in-the-sticks/ or contact our Race Director at [email protected].
