Wheels up: Heber hosts Int’l Women’s MTB Day bash

HEBER, Utah — The trails of Heber will welcome women mountain bikers of all skill levels as the International Women’s Mountain Biking Day Season Opener takes place Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Organized by the Wasatch Trails Foundation and WomenMTB, the event offers more than just trail time. Participants can enjoy morning refreshments, group rides, vendor displays, and a midday barbecue. The gathering also serves as a pickup location for the 2025 WomenMTB jerseys.

The celebration coincides with International Women’s Mountain Biking Day, observed annually on the first Saturday in May. The tradition began in 2018 after Andree Sanders of Trips for Kids Metro New York proposed the idea during the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s (IMBA) first women’s conference.

What started as a simple concept has developed into a day that sees thousands of riders sharing their experiences through the #WomensMTBDay hashtag, creating connections beyond geographical boundaries.

For those unable to make the Heber event, the IMBA encourages alternative participation.

“Women’s Mountain Biking Day is social media-driven,” explains IMBA on their website. “Organizations and individuals are encouraged to use the day as a catalyst for grassroots engagement.”

IMBA suggests several ways to participate remotely: plan a ride with girlfriends, explore a new trail, introduce a family member to the sport, set up a virtual challenge using fitness tracking apps, or organize a women-only ride through a local bike club.

Many riders simply hit their favorite local trails and share photos with the #WomensMTBDay hashtag, connecting with the broader celebration while riding close to home.

The day aims to address the historical gender imbalance in mountain biking by fostering supportive environments where women can build skills and confidence. Industry statistics show increasing female participation in recent years, with events like this playing a significant role in that growth.

Registration for the Heber event is available on the WomenMTB website. Organizers recommend early registration as past events have reached capacity.