{"id":18312,"date":"2025-10-22T10:26:52","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T10:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T15:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T15:55:51","slug":"womens-mountain-biking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/womens-mountain-biking\/","title":{"rendered":"Women&#8217;s Mountain Biking &#8211; how to grow confidence and start competing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_76b7320b82025b0590731890f1e79869\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/os-champion\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPosts from OS Champions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/women-outdoors\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWomen Outdoors\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/off-road-cycling\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOff-road cycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/samantha-taylor\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSamantha Taylor\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWomen&#8217;s Mountain Biking &#8211; how to grow confidence and start competing\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-150x150.jpeg\" class=\"avatar wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Sam Taylor-Frost\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-10-22T10:26:52+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">October 22, 2025<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t8 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sam Taylor frost Mountain Biker\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_cdb68b734ddabcf8a3684c87f6438dac\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-i-recommend-more-women-should-give-mountain-biking-a-go\">Why I recommend more women should give mountain biking a go&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve fallen in love with mountain biking, and I hope that by sharing my experiences, it might make you want to give it a go and hopefully get as much enjoyment from it as I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18313\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg 502w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Having fun on my mountain bike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-i-started-mountain-biking\">How I started Mountain Biking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I first got into cycling in 2017 when I began competing in triathlons. My love of being in nature (and away from cars) drove me to switch to off-road triathlons in 2023 and this is where my adventure of mountain biking began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"563\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18314\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpeg 563w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of my first XC MTB races<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mtb-vs-road-cycling\">MTB vs Road Cycling <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mountain biking on the trails is so much fun, it made me feel like a kid again. Unfortunately, I don\u2019t bounce as well as when I was a kid and the learning curve has been rather steep. However, it\u2019s also been extremely rewarding. With road cycling the focus was mostly on how fast I could I go. Now, while I still want to get faster, there are lots of technical elements to also learn, and this makes for so many more achievements. From how to ride over roots, off drops, round berms and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"591\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18316\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-3.jpeg 591w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-3-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Improving to take the A line drop&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-competitive-and-getting-my-confidence-knocked\">Getting Competitive (and getting my confidence knocked)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I like to compete and push myself to see what I can achieve which led me to enter some cross-country (XC) mountain bike (MTB) competitions. The thing that really stood out at my first one, was how few women were there. It was very unusual to see a long que for the men\u2019s loo and none for the women\u2019s!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> After this positive start, my racing experience did hit a few bumps. Particularly at one event where the timing gap between the women\u2019s and men\u2019s start was very short, leading to some argy barging as I was quickly caught up by fast men who wanted to pass, which really did knock my confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_82e1d469445e4d47c0bcace8268bf1e3\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArgy Bargy&#8230; and a real confidence knock\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8230;my racing experience did hit a few bumps. Particularly at one event where the timing gap between the women\u2019s and men\u2019s start was very short, leading to some argy barging as I was quickly caught up by fast men who wanted to pass, which really did knock my confidence.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-women-vs-mixed-mountain-bike-racing\">Women vs Mixed Mountain Bike Racing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I then looked closer at events timetables and found the Southern XC MTB series that offered a women\u2019s only practise slot and spaced the event out, so the women\u2019s race was separate to the men\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Enjoying one of my first XC races\" class=\"wp-image-18315\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2.jpeg 634w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Enjoying one of my first XC races<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While most competitors were very friendly, encouraging and patient to pass at all events, when I started out, taking away the stress of being regularly caught up in large mixed fields, made it much more enjoyable. Now the only bumps were the ones I got from falling off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_d7b6369a29d5cb2430c81ee1785fe880\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDiscovering Women Only Races\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8230;taking away the stress of being regularly caught up in large mixed fields, made it much more enjoyable<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"627\" height=\"418\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-4.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18317\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-4.jpeg 627w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-4-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Falls happen!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-investing-in-coaching-from-a-female-world-champion\">Investing in Coaching (from a female world champion!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As my enthusiasm for mountain biking grew, I knew I would enjoy it even more if invested in some coaching to help me climb the steep learning curve more efficiently. I found an amazing coach in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.katycurdcoaching.com\/\">Katy Curd<\/a>, who having been a Fourcross World Champion, stood on multiple World Cup downhill podiums and now a technical coach for the GB XC team, meant I was learning from the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18319\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6.jpeg 375w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katy Curd coaching session<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching her ride so smoothly and confidently was inspiring of what is possible. She has the ability to break things down into small easy chunks for total beginners like me to easily learn. Leading me to ride trails during a three hour lesson that I never imagined I would be capable of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"891\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-8.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18321\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-8.jpeg 502w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-8-169x300.jpeg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katy Curd coaching session action<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Armed with the knowledge of how to ride my MTB, my enjoyment of it increased tenfold. I still have so much to learn, but that\u2019s a key element of the enjoyment. I like the competition buzz, which has taken me to some amazing places and I\u2019ve earnt myself World and European cross triathlon medals. However, there are so many things to achieve in mountain biking without putting yourself on a start line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"619\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18318\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5.jpeg 619w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">European Cross Triathlon Championships<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18320\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7.jpeg 652w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Xterra World Triathlon Championships<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_4af621e919bf6bf48aabdfa5f0782e96\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNot everyone is in it to win it!\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While many women were there putting down extremely fast times, just as many were there to enjoy the ride and everyone was friendly and supportive.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve also found out you can put yourself on a start line without any pressure of the results you will achieve and be surrounded by amazing women all looking to have a fun day out on two wheels in the forest. This happened when my friend persuaded me to take part in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hopewomen.com\">the Hope Women\u2019s<\/a> Enduro race in the Forest of Dean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is consistent with my mountain biking journey so far, it\u2019s lead me to doing things I never thought I would be doing &#8211; an Enduro event being one of them as it\u2019s much more technical than XC courses. The event organisers shared the courses well in advance and with it being a local event for me, I could get plenty of practise, along with a race prep group coaching session from Katy, to give me the knowledge of how to successfully get from top to bottom. Turning one particular section called skids and grins into a grin rather than the falls and frowns it had been for me previously! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many women were there putting down extremely fast times, just as many were there to enjoy the ride and everyone was friendly and supportive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"859\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-9.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-9.jpeg 859w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-9-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-9-768x511.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hope WMS Enduro race<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m very thankful to the women who have encouraged me to get into mountain biking, those that have helped me along the way and those that inspire me to see what amazing achievements we are capable of on two wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"> I hope my story can encourage other women to give mountain biking a go. From the childlike joy of rolling down a hill on two wheels, the peace of pedalling in nature to the skills you can achieve, there is so much to be enjoyed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-10.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18323\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-10.jpeg 676w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-10-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More fun on the MTB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-here-are-my-top-tips-for-competing-in-your-first-competitive-mountain-bike-race\">Here are my top tips for competing in your first competitive Mountain Bike Race<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1761207767569\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What should you do before your first MTB competition?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Have a good read of the race details and look to see how they are running the event. Particularly if races will be happening at the same time with staggered start times, or if each race is done one at a time and the course cleared before the next race start. If you can&#8217;t find or easily understand the details, contact the race organiser. In my experience they are really helpful and want to help new competitors enjoy their first race.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>If you have a competition near you, or a friend who competes, I would also recommend going along to be a spectator. Its often free to spectate and give you a good experience of what to expect.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1761207896616\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do you control your nerves on your first MTB race?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Don&#8217;t be afraid to ask questions! When I turned up to my first race, it appeared everyone knew what they were doing. After asking the marshals where I needed to go and what I needed to do, I realised I wasn&#8217;t the only one a bit unsure. So don&#8217;t be afraid to ask questions, again in my experience the marshals are always happy to help and then you know what to do, rather than trying to guess\/work it out. Also speak to other competitors, everyone had their first race one day and I find other female competitors are the best at wanting to help each other enjoy their first race, so will likely be very helpful.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>Arrive early, It&#8217;s amazing what nerves can do, they make you forget something and have to go back to get it, cause additional trips to the porta loos and other delays. So if you give yourself plenty of time it doesn&#8217;t add the stress of being late to the start line.<br\/><br\/>For mountain bike competitions you get to practise the course ahead of the race. There is usually a set time to do this in and while the more experienced racers may just do one lap and then conserve their energy for the race, I&#8217;ve used the full time available to do as many laps as I can. Yes it wears my legs out a bit more for the race, but the benefit of feeling more comfortable with the course and then enjoying the race more, I think is worth it.\u00a0<br\/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6972\" style=\"width:844px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">www.getpica.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re inspired by Sam&#8217;s story but a complete beginner with no idea where to start to mountain biking we have the perfect articles for your next read below. You might also want to visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/women-outdoors\/\">OS Women Outdoors Content Hub <\/a>which is packed full of inspiration to help get more women into trying new adventures outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_b564653b32d0457074e5e90b7dae4c7e\" class=\"GuidesArticles  wave pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"GuidesArticlesBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/a-beginners-guide-to-mountain-biking\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-1376x473.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-1376x473.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-1024x352.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-768x264.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad-1536x528.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cycling-pov.6534f459be8de3ec73b0948ac737e8ad.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/beginners-guides\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeginner&#8217;s guides\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/off-road-cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOff-road cycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA beginner&#8217;s guide to mountain biking\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 8, 2015\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet outside and have some muddy fun with this beginner&#8217;s guide to Mountain Biking.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/adventure-hiking-groups-for-women\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/female-adventure-groups.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"Group of women on a walk image taken from behind\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/female-adventure-groups.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/female-adventure-groups-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/female-adventure-groups-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/female-adventure-groups-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/walking\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWalking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/uk-hiking\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/wellbeing\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWellbeing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/running\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRunning\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/women-outdoors\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWomen Outdoors\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/safety\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSafety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/swimming\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSwimming\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/off-road-cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOff-road cycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/water-sports\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater sports\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/outdoor-skills\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOutdoor skills\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/road-cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad cycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/shop-2\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/climbing-and-mountaineering\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClimbing and mountaineering\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA List of Women&#8217;s Adventure &amp; Hiking Groups to Join in the UK\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 18, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA list of UK female only adventure and hiking groups &#8211; the best place to start to build outdoor confidence.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/how-to-get-into-triathlon\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sam-taylor-euros-duatlon-medal-1-sam-taylor-frost-14-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/os-champion\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPosts from OS Champions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/running\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRunning\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/cycling\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/beginners-guides\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeginner&#8217;s guides\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/swimming\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSwimming\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/samantha-taylor\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSamantha Taylor\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to get into triathlon\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 8, 2023\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOS Champion Sam Taylor-Frost is part of the GB Triathlon Team. She completed her first triathlon without being super fit or spending a lot of money on kit and you can do the same. Find out how to get into triathlon and give this multi-sport event a go.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"26fcc9d63c\" data-postid=\"18312\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center MetaShareSocial\" aria-label=\"Share\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"X\" class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--x\" id=\"share-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-173 238)\"><path d=\"M18.9.75h3.68l-8.04,9.213L24,22.5H16.594l-5.8-7.6L4.156,22.5H.474l8.6-9.854L0,.75H7.594L12.837,7.7ZM17.61,20.291h2.039L6.486,2.843H4.3Z\" transform=\"translate(173 -237.625)\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"  class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--f\" id=\"share-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-89 238)\"><path d=\"M14.186,24V13.2h3.279L18,8.4H14.186V6.062c0-1.236.032-2.462,1.759-2.462h1.749V.168A19.34,19.34,0,0,0,14.671,0C11.5,0,9.508,1.989,9.508,5.64V8.4H6v4.8H9.508V24Z\" transform=\"translate(89 -238)\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">0<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"160\" height=\"107\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg\" class=\"MetaShareAuthor__avatar wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg 502w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Sam Taylor-Frost\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Meet <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/os-champions\/sam-taylor-frost\/\">Sam Taylor-Frost<\/a> \u2013 GBR Triathlete, animal lover and earl grey drinker.<br \/>\nI love being outside and my daily fresh air fix is a necessity! The outdoor gives me the feeling of freedom, to explore the trails at whatever pace I fancy is liberating. The outdoors really is my happy place. I also really enjoy being active which had led me into the fun of triathlons, as it gives me so many options to get outside.<\/p>\n<p>Follow Sam on Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/plantbasedsamt\/\">@plantbasedsamt<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out how mountain biking transformed my love for cycling and how competing in women only MTB races boosted my confidence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":18341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[209,310],"activities":[11,397],"locations":[17],"class_list":["post-18312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-os-champion","tag-samantha-taylor","activities-off-road-cycling","activities-women-outdoors","locations-all-of-great-britain"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Women&#039;s Mountain Biking - how to grow confidence and start competing - OS Maps Discover<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out how mountain biking transformed my love for cycling and how competing in women only MTB races boosted my confidence\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/womens-mountain-biking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Women&#039;s Mountain Biking - how to grow confidence and start competing - OS Maps Discover\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out how mountain biking transformed my love for cycling and how competing in women only MTB races boosted my confidence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/womens-mountain-biking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OS Maps Discover\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osmapping\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-22T10:26:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-06T15:55:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/uk-hiking-routes-for-beginners-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1376\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"540\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"hilary.pullen@os.uk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"hilary.pullen@os.uk\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/guides\\\/womens-mountain-biking\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/guides\\\/womens-mountain-biking\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"hilary.pullen@os.uk\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/osmaps.com\\\/discover\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7b496d7d84fbe7127a910670894fd9bc\"},\"headline\":\"Women&#8217;s Mountain Biking &#8211; 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