Women are shaping Des Moines' mountain biking scene
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Jolie Costello addresses the crowd during the 2024 Women's MTB Day in Des Moines. Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Maharry
More women are shredding dirt and catching air while mountain biking in Des Moines.
Why it matters: The sport has been traditionally male-dominated, and local cyclist Jolie Costello is hoping to grow the city's already strong female mountain biking community even more.
State of play: Costello is helping organize International Women's MTB Day on May 3 through Denman's near Greenwood Park.
- The free group ride has grown from 20 riders four years ago to more than 150 expected this year.
How it started: Costello's venture into mountain biking started by accident while she was a student at the University of Iowa.
- In Iowa City, she typically did long-distance road cycling. But after a football game one evening, Costello biked through the woods with a group of friends.
- "I was like, 'Wow, riding in the woods is way more fun than riding on the highway where a bunch of cars are zipping past,'" she says.
Now, after moving to Des Moines six years ago, the mother of two regularly competes and encourages other women to give the trails a try, even if they don't own a mountain bike.
Zoom in: The May event is all-ages and open to all skill levels, as well as dads bringing their daughters.
- Lucky Lotus will provide food, and attendees can win raffle prizes from local businesses and cycling companies.
The bottom line: When Costello first moved to Des Moines, she rode by herself for several years. But she says there's joy in joining a community.
- "When I rode alone, that was solely my own anxiety and my own insecurities," she says. "Then when I got to know people, my skills as a rider rapidly increased because people are willing to help you, and their excitement and joy comes from watching you succeed and get better as a rider."
