{"id":175921,"date":"2019-11-01T12:37:15","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T12:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=175921"},"modified":"2019-11-01T12:37:15","modified_gmt":"2019-11-01T12:37:15","slug":"meet-the-womens-only-mountain-biking-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2019\/11\/01\/meet-the-womens-only-mountain-biking-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Women\u2019s Only Mountain Biking Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since\u00a0kicking off in \u200b2015,\u00a0Roam Bike Fest has become a destination event for women mountain biking enthusiasts from around the United States and beyond. The first of its kind, Roam is three days of trail shredding, socializing, learning, and non-stop good times. With hundreds of bikes to demo, group rides with local leaders and brand ambassadors, workshops and presentations, plus parties, happy hours, and film screenings, Roam is a celebration of the mountain biking community and the women who support it. Growing from a small, grassroots initiative, it is now in its sixth edition with a reputation that has it selling out months in advance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nThe brains behind this successful operation? Ash Bocast. Ash founded Roam Events following a 15-year career in adventure travel guiding, coaching, and event\u00a0management that has taken her around the world. Her passion for riding began in 2008 while living in New Zealand and she was hooked from the get-go. \u201cI\u2019m an all-or-nothing person,\u201d she explained. \u201cMy first ride was with the guys from the bike shop I was working at; it involved a lot of walking and a few tears. But, obviously, I persevered and it has become a major part of my life.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Eager to spread her enthusiasm and to create a space for other women who love to shred, Ash started Roam Bike Fest four years ago. Working with a blank slate, her and her team were determined to pull off a different kind of mountain biking festival. As she said, \u201cour goal was to overhaul the typical festival experience. I grew up going to summer camp and I wanted to create that kind of atmosphere where you can just show up and immediately start having fun and getting to know people.\u201d<\/p>\n

With her industry expertise, Ash has also worked hard to act as an intermediary between big biking brands and the event\u2019s attendees. \u201cWe made it clear that we didn\u2019t just want brand ambassadors to just show up and sling products, we want everyone to hang out, have a beer, and feel comfortable asking questions.\u201d No doubt Roam has succeeded in curating an experience that people are eager to have and with their \u2018hugs not handshakes,\u2019 policy, it is no surprise that many of the women go home with more than sore legs.<\/p>\n

This laidback atmosphere further reflects Roam\u2019s mission to facilitate an inclusive environment where women can feel comfortable being themselves. Ash explained that it starts with their staff and the partners they bring along, \u201cthe friendly vibe is contagious and, although about one-third of riders come alone, everyone leaves with pals.\u201d Highlighting another great aspect of a women\u2019s only event, Ash has found that, \u201cwomen are inherently welcoming. We just set the tone, create the right environment, and it happens organically.\u201d<\/p>\n