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A day to themselves

Mountain Bike Specialists leads female rally

A dozen women gathered at Mountain Bike Specialists on Sunday morning to celebrate the sisterhood of spinning spokes.

It was Women’s Ride Day, an event organized by bicycle manufacturer Specialized to encourage women’s participation in cycling. Mountain Bike Specialists, 949 Main Ave., was one of 12 Colorado retailers taking part. Pagosa Mountain Sports in Pagosa Springs also joined in.

“The cycling industry realizes we’re not just small men,” said Kristin McGrath, a retired pro rider who now works at Mountain Bike Specialists.

McGrath led the road portion of the ride up Florida Road (County Road 240) and out to East Animas Road (County Road 250). The mountain bike contingent was led by Darian Harvey, the bike shop’s service manager. Harvey led the mountain bikers to Horse Gulch.

McGrath said all-women bike rides create a different dynamic.

“Women can be just as fiercely competitive and just as strong a rider as men,” she said.

Yet, she added, “when you ride with just women, it’s totally OK to ride and talk and go at a pace that’s inclusive to the whole group.”

McGrath spoke in support of products targeted at female cyclists, such as Ally’s Bar, a sweet potato-based energy bar, and Osmo Nutrition, which makes a powdered drink additive.

Ed Zink, who owns Mountain Bike Specialists with his wife, Patti, estimated about 40 percent of Mountain Bike Specialist’s customers are women.

Patti Zink said it can be more comfortable to learn from other women. She explained it this way: She once saw a T-shirt saying, “Just because I sleep with you doesn’t mean I’m going to ski with you.”

“It’s the same in cycling,” she said.

cslothower@ durangoherald.com



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