More Canberra women are hitting the trails – and Dirt Maidens is meeting that momentum head-on. Photo: Alexandra Orme.
Canberra-based mountain bike coaching group Dirt Maidens is carving a new trail to the great outdoors for women across Canberra – offering a judgement-free zone for aspiring riders and showing it’s never too late to learn something new.
Providing women with a pathway into the traditionally male-dominated world of mountain biking, the group’s focus is on building confidence and competency within a supportive community – and they believe there’s no better place for it than the bush capital in winter.
“Canberra has such great diversity of terrain,” said founder Claire McDonnell. “Whether we go to Stromlo or Majura or Cotter Pines, within minutes we find features to coach things like log drops and rock roll downs.”
Claire envisions a future where everyone is out on their bikes, making the most of Canberra’s enviable combination of landscape and amenities.
“We’re in such a unique place because we have premium infrastructure and facilities, as well as all this beautiful bushland to explore – right on our doorstep,” she said. “Wherever you live, you don’t have to go far to find fire trails or pump tracks.”
Growing up on a farm, Claire spent her days riding bikes, exploring nature and developing a love of the outdoors.
Now a nurse and outdoor educator, she first launched Dirt Maidens in 2013 as a race event series in Jindabyne. Years later, after moving to Canberra while on maternity leave, her love of coaching was reignited when a friend tentatively asked for pointers on mountain biking.
Dirt Maidens starts with the basics and progresses slowly. Photo: Alexandra Orme.
“Women are often hesitant to begin with – the word ‘scaredy cat’ gets used a lot – they want to enjoy it and they don’t want to hurt themselves,” said Claire. “That’s why we start with the basics and progress slowly.
“I started running a foundational skills clinic, thinking people would just do that and then ride with their friends but the clinics kept booking out, and people would ask: ‘What’s next?’. So I realised there was a real appetite for community, as well as for progression of skills.”
Claire began running classes for specific technical abilities like corners, rocks and obstacles.
Since then, Dirt Maidens has continued to evolve – now with seven qualified coaches. Over 75 clinic sessions have run this year alone, with more than 230 women taking part.
The group also hosts a regular Ride Club, offering its members the chance to get out on regular adventures within a social and supportive community.
“Winter is traditionally when things slow down and people ride less – but the year we started the Winter Ride Club, 19 people signed up. This year, I’ve got 34 already.”
For many women, the draw of mountain biking goes far beyond learning how to handle a bike on the trails.
You can be as adventurous as you want to be. Photo: Alexandra Orme.
“Mountain biking ticks so many boxes – it’s movement, connection, nature, mental health, and community all in one. It’s an adventure and stretches your comfort zone, but it’s within reach.
“We make it safe and create a non-intimidating environment where women can discover something new – and it can be quite transformative.”
In addition to building skills on the trails, Dirt Maidens teaches women the essentials of bike maintenance through` Bike Tech Nights held regularly at Cycle Co-Op in Woden.
“We give women all the tools they need to be self-reliant – so if they get a flat tyre, they know they don’t need to ask someone else for help,” said Claire.
The benefit of women teaching women also means that uniquely female challenges can be addressed.
“For example, a lot of women are riding bikes built with men in mind,” Claire said. “Their gear levers are out of reach, and they don’t know that’s not normal.
“We make a few simple adjustments and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t know my bike could feel this good’. Those tiny, overlooked things can make or break your experience.”
Claire is passionate about making mountain biking accessible for everyone.
“There is no expiry date on starting a hobby or learning a skill,” she said. “I have a friend who took up mountain biking at 60 – she’s 80 now and still at it. She apologises sometimes for not keeping up, but when she catches us, I usually haven’t even caught my breath!
“I’m also very aware that it can be financially inaccessible for lots of people, but you don’t need an eight grand bike to give it a go – a $50 bike off marketplace is fine to start with.”
Claire is not slowing down in her mission to bring biking to the masses, with plans to incorporate bike hire – as well as launch school programs and junior skills classes.
“My vision for Dirt Maidens is that every girl in Canberra should have the opportunity to ride a bike,” she said.
With a growing tribe of enthusiasts behind her, and the bush capital as her training ground, Claire is removing the barriers for women who want adventure on two wheels – and it’s full speed ahead.
