Women get in behind exclusive bike venture

Kate Long is encouraged by the interest already shown in the Outside Sports ladies nights at Coronet Peak and encourages all other women who ride to take part. Photo by Felicity Wolfe.
Kate Long is encouraged by the interest already shown in the Outside Sports ladies nights at Coronet Peak and encourages all other women who ride to take part. Photo by Felicity Wolfe.
With world class terrain for almost any style of mountain-bike riding on their doorstep, it was perhaps no wonder so many women turned out for the inaugural Ladies Night at Coronet Peak recently.

Kate Long, one of the organisers behind the training and fun session, said they had expected about 50 women to turn up to the first briefing session at Outside Sports a couple of weeks ago.

"But there were about 150 and the room was full."

Since then, the group has proved popular.

A successful evening session was held last week on Coronet Peak's mountain biking trails but Ms Long is convinced there are more women around Wakatipu who should come along.

There was even a glass of bubbly at the end to look forward to, Ms Long said.

The idea came from Outside Sports' managing director Liz Cox and marketing manager Naomi Wilson, who wanted to encourage more women to try downhill mountain biking.

"It is great to get the women out there doing it - it's a different ball game from normal cross-country," Ms Long said.

The next evening would be tomorrow at 4pm and included free lessons and trail tips.

Coronet Peak Ski Area had given its support to the group by discounting lift passes to the top of the mountain as well, she said.