Looking for the FIRE Camp sign up? Here it is!
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Strong. Ride Bikes.
About MCA GRRLS
MCA GRRLS represents our outreach initiative, dedicated to attracting and retaining female student-athletes, coaches, and volunteers. The question arises: why implement special measures for girls and women if our programming is already inclusive and equal? While our programs provide equal opportunities, true equality requires acknowledging that females may need different approaches at times to feel genuinely welcome in MCA activities.
Contact
Email MCAGRRLS@minnesotacycling.org
GRRLS Events Calendar
Retaining and Recruiting Females
Our constant effort is to boost female MTB ridership among athletes and coaches. Given that, on average, 80% of participants in mountain biking are male, creating opportunities for young women to engage in the sport is imperative.
Ridership stands at 20.6%, up from 18% in 2022
Female Coaches have increased to 23%, up from 19% in 2022
Initiative Goals
Inspire young women to cultivate confidence, strength of character, and empowerment through mountain biking.
Provide a fun and welcoming sisterhood for all participants, regardless of experience and ability.
Offer role models for female student-athletes by increasing women in leadership roles within the MCA.
Sisterhood: mantra for continuous progress
Any girl who shows up to practice, ready to challenge herself.
Any woman volunteering with the MCA as a coach, ride leader, or in any other role, supporting the belief that mountain biking is a sport for girls.
Any female supporting the cause of getting more girls on bikes and committed to aiding us along the way!
In fall of 2024, the GRRLS Leaders Circle surveyed the league, Ambassadors and female coaches about “what would be most impactful” for GRRLS moving forward. We confirmed that the MCA GRRLS program’s mission exists to connect girls, foster leadership, and inspire a lifelong love of the sport of mountain biking. We do this by:
- Ensuring Equity for GRRL Riders
- Empowering Women Coaches
- Growing GRRLS Teams
- Creating Energy and Excitement
With all that feedback, we are excited to announce both new and updated programming for our community. See your checklist for this month; scroll below for the details
Get Involved!
- Volunteer to be your team’s GRRLS Champion. One per team, this person ensures smooth communication about GRRLS news and events. This role doesn’t have to be a Coach. Interested? Connect with your Head Coaching staff to let them know you are interested.
- Be an Adult Ambassador Mentor to support GRRLS in the Ambassador Program.
- Host a GRRLS camp! These events are all about building community, empowering each other, learning new skills, and having fun! Based on interest, we can support a maximum of 5 camp weekends in 2025, with the goal of having camp weekends in different parts of the state (to support communities where they live and minimize travel for participants).During your event weekend, we will help provide structure, advice and support for the events. Determine what would be most valuable to your community. Visit our Hosting GRRLS Events Overview document for more information.
GRRLS Hype Tent
The GRRLS “Red Tent” has a new name: introducing the GRRLS Hype Tent! A race-weekend favorite, the Hype Tent is all about high-energy vibes, team spirit, and plenty of glitter to celebrate the GRRLS community. This year, we’re looking for teams to bring the hype and host the tent on race weekend. Host teams will receive a stipend to create a fun, engaging activity for racers and fans. Host teams must find volunteers to work at the tent for the entire weekend and the Hype Tent will be located next to your team team to make this easier than ever (plus, host teams will receive prime infield location). Applications to host the Hype Tent will open this April.
MCA GRRLS
Coaching Support
Middle School Girls Teams/Pods
We strongly recommend teams to establish teams/pods for middle school girls, fostering higher female participation and retention as they transition to high school. This initiative provides girls with a secure, all-girls space to enhance their confidence. These pods ensure a well-rounded experience, balancing fun, skill development, and healthy competition, valuing mistakes as opportunities for learning. The crucial emphasis on non-competitiveness remains, and ideally, these pods are led by women coaches. Teams that have embraced the pod concept have witnessed a growth in the number of girls on their teams over the past three years.
Coaching Girls: Online Practice Guide
For organized MCA GRRLS girls’ teams/pods, refer to our practice guide with best coaching practices, ideas, games, video links and more.
Women’s-Only Mountain Bike Skills
We offer the option of Women’s-only MBS courses for coaches who find it more enjoyable and less intimidating to learn from and alongside other women. Women’s-only sessions are indicated on the full schedule on our Mountain Bike Skills page. Register in CCN.
MCA GRRLS Ambassadors
The MCA GRRLS Ambassadors Program is designed for middle and high school student-athletes who are passionate about growing female participation in mountain biking. As key advocates for #MoreGirlsOnBikes, Ambassadors use their experience with an MCA-affiliated team to inspire, support, and encourage more girls to embrace the sport.
Ambassador Program applications are now closed for 2026. Thanks to all who applied!
What does an Ambassador do?
Lead by Example – Show up, ride strong, and demonstrate the confidence, resilience, and camaraderie that make cycling empowering.
Engage & Motivate – Actively support fellow GRRLS, helping them build skills, confidence, and a love for riding.
Promote Inclusivity – Create a welcoming environment where every girl feels encouraged, valued, and capable, regardless of experience level.
Advocate for More Girls on Bikes – Share their passion, tell their stories, and spread the word about the benefits of cycling.
Innovate & Inspire – Brainstorm creative ways to connect with more girls, from organizing meetups to sharing social media content that amplifies the GRRLS movement.
EVENTS
MCA GRRL’S FIRE Camp
FIRE: Females Improving Riding Experiences
- Are you a mom or a new adult female cyclist interested in volunteering with your MCA GRRLS team but feel you lack the necessary skills?
- Are you currently a volunteer on a team and aspire to lead a girls’ team/pod?
The purpose of the MCA GRRLS FIRE Camp is to empower women to discover their superpower and evolve into confident ride leaders, assistant coaches, and coaches.
During our session, we’ll cover areas like overcoming fears, why have girls-only teams, running an effective girls’ team practice, and engaging in games that appeal to girls. No skills necessary, just a desire to learn and have fun. Your own bike and helmet are required.
Sessions are complete for 2024, but we look forward to seeing you next year! If you are able to find at least 10 attendees, we can hold another FIRE Camp…email us!
Join us at our first Women’s-Only MCA Day: FIRE Camp + Women’s-only MBS 1 all in one place.
You may choose to attend just the morning session or both the morning and afternoon sessions. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR EACH SESSION SEPARATELY.
Where: Carver Lake Park Woodbury (Bike Park area)
Sunday, May 19
Morning session: FIRE Camp (see below) 8:00am–12:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00pm–1:00pm
Afternoon session: Women’s-only MBS1 1:00pm–4:00pm
Sunday, June 23
Morning session: FIRE Camp 8:00am–12:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00pm–1:00pm
Afternoon session: Women’s-only MBS1 1:00–4:00pm
Space is limited.
If you plan to attend both sessions, you have the option to explore several local restaurants in the vicinity or bring your own lunch.
