We’re very excited to be supporting a team of female riders from around the UK who’ll be racing at downhill and enduro events throughout the 2017 race season.
The women’s MTB race scene has always been friendly and welcoming and our vision for these riders is to encourage more women into mountain biking and promote female participation at MTB races; we see them as ambassadors for the sport and an inspiration to other female riders.
As well as Flow MTB providing team kit and entry to sponsored races we are thrilled to have additional sponsor support for our Flow Riders from MTB Instruction who will provide MTB skills coaching to the team and Corley Cycles who are providing parts and workshop support for race bikes.
We are really pleased to welcome Rebecca, Kate and Korinne to the Flow Rider team, and we and the team sponsors look forward to watching them go from strength to strength in the 2017 race season.
Rebecca Smith
I work full time in a busy professional office but in my spare time I travel around the UK and World having adventures! I race downhill mountain bikes, climb mountains, enjoy the outdoors and can’t wait to get involved in pretty much any kind of muddy adventure.
I have just completed my first full downhill mountain bike race season having done a few races over the last 5 years. I started riding bikes 7 years ago and during this time have made some amazing friends, been to some incredible places and had loads of fun.
I am passionate about increasing womens participation in riding and have helped out at a number of local womens events this year. Many women start riding at a more mature age and it is great to help them get started in local races. I’m keen to show people that you are never too old to start and you can race at the weekend around a full time job.
2016 Race Season
Pearce 2016 Series – 2nd Master female overall
- Round 2 – 2nd
- Round 3 – 1st
- Round 4 – 2nd
- Round 5 – 4th
- Round 6 – 3rd
Mini Downhill winter series
- Round 1 – 4th Over 30s female
- Round 2 – 9th Over 30s female
- Round 3 – 4th Over 30s female
Pedalabikeaway Twilight enduro 2016 – 5th Female
MIJ Summer series – 7th Female
Goals for 2017
In 2017 I plan to race the Pearce Downhill series, Mini Downhill series and some of the Racers Guild and Borderline series. I hope to ride a round or 2 of BDS if my season is going well and will also do some local XC type events.
Kate Gries
I’ve been cycling for about 7 years but only recently started to get the competitive bug, I used to just go on group rides and hit the road travelling around to find new trails and bike parks – Just me the bike and the van! And I love it, biking puts a smile on my face!
Biking is what makes me tick every day, my little community of bikers is growing and growing and I now have mountain bike buddies located all around the country. I’ve met some great people through biking and learnt a lot too!
I was lucky enough to take part in a small mountain bike film to inspire people to get out and ride which was a lot of fun! The film is now being edited and will be featured in Apps and Colleges to promote cycling so I’m looking forward to seeing the result.p North and mingle with as many fellow bikers as I can.
Highlights to date
I took part in the Redbull Foxhunt in 2016 and it was the best weekend of my year! So many great people in one place and my competitiveness came alive as soon as the race started, was chuffed to bits with my 54th place – I will defiantly be going again this year that’s for sure!
Goals for 2017
I’m taking part in the Hope PMBA Enduro, Ard Rock, NDH trail race at AE Forest and the 661 Mini Downhill series at the Forest of Dean. I’m looking to find more events to take part in in 2017 and I would love to shred some trails further up North and mingle with as many fellow bikers as I can.
Korinne Shaw
I’ve been riding for just under 1 year and have really been focusing on building my skills in preparation for the 2017 race season. I usually ride with my other half and his friends and try to push myself to keep up with them, or I’m out and about on my own trying to find some exciting new trails.
I’m very lucky to live in the Lakes and have all the mountains and awesome trails on my doorstep and through the summer I did a few hike-a-bike rides and spent a lot of time at Whinlatter and Hamsterley. I’m also fortunate to have some local woods that we’ve been carving trails through to practice certain skills and progress.
2016 Highlights
I competed in a ladies day enduro and came first against 18 amazing women and it was my first real experience of riding with a larger group of like minded females. I also took part in the Redbull Foxhunt and really enjoyed the weekend, although didn’t get to race due to a crash in practice. I also did the Hamsterley Beast which is a 20 or 40 mile charity ride for the North Air Ambulance.
Goals for 2017
I’m taking part in Ard Rock, the Fort William Enduro Downhill in July and the NDH events throughout the year, along with the 661 Mini Downhill series at the Forest of Dean.