Full Circle: My Hope Women’s Enduro Journey
We love seeing women challenge themselves, grow in confidence, and find their people through mountain biking – it’s why we started Limitlass in the first place. In this blog, our co-founder Katie shares a personal story that’s close to her heart – from nervously entering her first ever enduro, to returning to that same event years later, this time supporting her mum, and now becoming an ambassador for Hope Women. It’s a story about courage, community, and the power of just showing up – and we think a lot of you will relate.
Supportive vibes at Hope Women’s Enduro
One of my first mountain bike races was the HopeTech Women’s Enduro in 2017. I signed up to challenge myself and to meet new people to ride with. At the time, I was only riding my mountain bike a few times a year. I had minimal technical skill, and my fitness came from running, not biking. But I’ve always had grit (or maybe just good old-fashioned stubbornness!) to get through tough things.
I was so nervous and shy that I hardly spoke to anyone that day. It’s funny looking back now, considering one of my main reasons for entering was to connect with other riders. But pushing every comfort zone at once; racing, technical trails (for me!), meeting new people, and showing up solo, it was a big ask. Still, I’m incredibly proud of myself for not just finishing, but for having the courage to get to that start line in the first place. Over 200 women were there, racing and supporting each other. Most of us were trying racing for the first time, and the buzz at the finish line was electric. That race was a turning point for me. It helped shape the path I’m on now: racing regularly and creating events like Limitlass to support more women in mountain biking and help them find their community.
Fast forward to 2023, and I had the idea to return to the Hope Women’s Enduro—this time with my mum. I thought it would be an amazing challenge for her and a special experience to share. She had cheered me on at my first Hope Enduro, and since she lives near the race venue in Gisburn, I figured she’d have a chance to get in a few practice rides. She absolutely had the potential to do it. It would just take some training and belief. The Friday before the race, my van was packed, and I was driving down from Aberdeenshire to Cumbria. Fifteen minutes in, disaster struck: my van broke down. I was gutted. I called my mum, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to race without me. But in true determined fashion, she made it to the start line. (Apparently it was a pretty tense drive over for my dad, with a very nervous and grumpy mum!)
But in her words:
“What an amazing day I had! Utterly devastated my coach, mentor and daughter couldn’t ride with me, but Kevin stepped in and was amazing. Thank you to all the incredible women I met today for the encouragement, and to Hope Women for a fantastic day.”
She did it. She pushed way outside her comfort zone. She may have been scared, and she may have walked some of the course, and that’s completely okay. What matters is she showed up and gave it her all, despite the self-doubt. She has every right to be proud of herself. I’m so flippin’ proud of her.
Now, let’s fast forward again—to 2025. After a break last year, the Hope Women’s Enduro is back, and this time it’s heading south to the Forest of Dean. I’m excited to be attending again—this time as an ambassador for Hope Women. How wild is that? From a nervous first-timer to helping lead the charge for women in mountain biking.
With over 150 women already signed up, this is a race you won’t want to miss. But it’s not just a race. It’s a platform for building self-belief, confidence, and community.
These events are powerful. They celebrate the progress of women in mountain biking and create spaces where everyone feels welcome and supported.
If you’re on the fence—or maybe haven’t even let yourself consider that you could do something like this, I urge you to take the leap. All you need is enough belief to get yourself to that start line and the unparallel camaraderie gets you over the finish line. If you’ve experienced the Limitlass atmosphere, then you already know the magic of pushing your limits, learning new skills, and being surrounded by an encouraging community. The Hope Women’s Enduro takes that experience even further.
So why not join us on a road trip to the Forest of Dean for this year’s event? Sign up with ‘Limitlass’ as your team name, wear your jersey with pride, and we’ll see you there!