THE EVOLUTION OF FREERIDE
If you thought Rampage-style gnarliness was just for the boys, think again. Female freeriders are flying high, and Revolution Bike Park’s Evolve event is leading the way
Question: What does a slick, shale-scattered, pine-blanketed, remote Welsh mountainside have in common with the dusty, loose, colourful rocks of the Utah desert?
Answer: The rapidly evolving women’s freeride scene.
Globally, freeride is a well-established discipline, with riders from around the world competing in major events and series like Darkfest, Crankworx and, of course, the infamous Red Bull Rampage. And in recent years, thanks in no small part to events like Red Bull Formation, the women’s scene has expanded rapidly too.
Formation, which takes place on those famous Utah rock formations at a former Rampage site, was first run in 2019 and takes the form of a week-long camp, much like Rampage itself, with riders scouting then building lines with the help of hand-picked teams, before riding them – though in this case without the glare of a live video feed.
By the second event in 2021, the level of riding had risen exponentially and riders like Casey Brown, Hannah Bergemann, Vero Sandler and Vaea Verbeeck are now established names. It goes to show that ability was never the issue; to develop, women’s freeride just needed opportunity, support and time.
The ripples of Formation weren’t just felt at the top end of the sport. Equally passionate about growing the grassroots movement, riders set up their own events back home. Casey Brown’s Dark Horse event in Revelstoke, Canada and Hannah Bergemann’s Hangtime in Bellingham, USA, were both aimed at providing opportunities for new and up-andcoming women and girls to progress.
Back in the UK, it feels like the wave of popularity is also rising. The buzz around Formation is palpable, with a clear hunger to find out more about freeride and its headline women, and a desire to get involved.
BRINGING IT HOME
Enter Vero Sandler, Sian Dillon and
Becci Skelton, on a mission to open up freeride, and the sheer joy of the jump line, to as many women as possible.
“Myself, Sian and Vero had each thought of doing something individually, like doing a little event and taking it to different bike parks,” explains Becci. “We ride together quite a bit and we started talking about it one day, like ‘it’d be really sick if we could do something like this…’ and it went from there!”
They opted for Revolution Bike Park in North Wales, home of Vero’s own Vision jump line which was built as part of her similarly-named freeride film. The park was booked out, they bought out 130 uplift tickets, and put them on sale.
“It sold out within 12 hours!” smiles Becci. And why the name Evolve? “Because we’re looking to evolve the UK freeride scene!”
Cue over 130 women, several pro riders, bikes, a few dogs, some parents, plus photographers, film crew and stands from sponsors Santa Cruz, GT Bicycles, Peaty’s, Five Ten and more descending on Revolution on a cloudy but dry May bank holiday Monday.
With zero pressure or expectation, riders could take the opportunity to use the air bag, join one of the pros who were sessioning sections of track and providing advice, or just head out and ride themselves.
On hand were former 4X world