Riding among women is a wish that female mountain bikers rarely get to fulfill. However, the Women's MTB Festival, which takes place for the first time in La Berra on July 22 and 23, offers just that. Technique courses, a group descent, mechanics workshops, yoga classes... All this just for girls and women.

"We want to bring together as many female mountain bikers and athletes as possible so that we can share and exchange ideas," explains Denise Ruiz, founder of the Berra Bike School. Together with two friends, Swiss Cycling instructor Chloé Amez-Droz and teacher Séverine Lehner Engel, she set out to create this festival.

"Even if you have a great level and are well trained, the men you ride with always have to wait for you," says Denise Ruiz. As a former Swiss BMX champion, she speaks from her own experience. "We hope that this event will give everyone who wants it the opportunity to ride among women."

Panel discussion with Florence Darbellay

But beware: the Women's MTB Festival is not intended to be a feminist event. "The festive part and the test bikes are open to everyone, as is the Berra Bike Park, which is accessible at the usual times." To ensure that as many bikers and bikers as possible can take advantage of the opportunity to ride, a daycare center will be on hand to look after the children.

Late on Saturday evening, a panel discussion will be organized to discuss the challenges facing women in sport. Speakers include Florence Darbellay, a former top female biker, Ophelie Thenot, sports psychologist and mental coach,  an  exercise physiologist  from  VO2-Sport  in  Yverdon  and  Stéphanie Stauffacher, specialist in sports nutrition. The discussion will be held in French. However, questions can be translated.

The Women's MTB Festival is organized on a voluntary basis and is not profit-oriented. "Only the instructors are paid for the courses, which are free of charge." Registrations can be made directly on the Berra Bike School website.