According to the 2023 SA Mountain Biking Survey, presented by Garmin, women make up almost 25% of the market. We’re a little surprised how few brands actually invest in the women’s mountain biking in South Africa, so we decided to highlight 11 brands that have caught our attention because of their female support.
By Joanne Badenhorst
CYCLE LAB (CLAW)
A women’s only mountain bike riding group that was launched in 2019. The core focus is creating safe, non-intimidating riding experiences. Cycle Lab noticed that there was a lack of riding opportunities for this segment of the market in Gauteng, so invested in creating CLAW (Cycle Lab Active Women). All ladies are welcome, all you need is a mountain bike and to know how to ride it. In addition, from inception, Ecologic http://www.ecologic.co.za (an all-purpose cleaning product) and Biogen (supplement brand) have supported this initiative. So, props to them too.
Follow the CLAW Instagram account here for their weekly ride schedules.
BIOGEN
Biogen is a health and wellness brand that supports female mountain bikers in particular and active females in general. In addition to high quality sports supplements, Biogen also makes a health and wellness product range that includes several products that are women-focussed. Biogen is a significant brand in mountain biking in general too. Not only does Biogen sponsor premium mountain bike events, but it also supports certain trails networks, presents the MTB calendar on this website and sponsors several female mountain bikers, including star racer, Candice Lill. Biogen really does care about and cater for all women, and we notice and appreciate this.
Follow Biogen’s dynamic Instagram account here to see the brand’s support for active women.
TRAIL ANGELS
This Western Cape-based riding community established by Nicky Haywood 10 years ago, has grown into a formidable riding group, extending to the road. Trails Angels offers multiple riding opportunities for all levels of rider. The primary focus is to build skill and confidence on the trails. The Western Cape is known for its climbing; hence they have added e-Bike skills and rides to their portfolio. Trail Angels recently partnered with Scott Sports.
Follow the Trail Angels Instagram account here if you’re keen to join their community.
CIOVITA
In the competitive cycling clothing arena, Ciovita, a proudly South African company, has been leading the way with bringing high-quality women-specific riding apparel to the consumer. There’s a full-colour range of matching bib shorts and jerseys – not forgetting the matching casquette! The kit ranges from the svelte Race Fit to the roomier Sports Fit, all designed for womanly curves. A company that has taken a women’s desire for feminine designs into consideration. We thank you.
Follow the Ciovita Instagram account here to see the cool kit!
ROLA MOTOR GROUP
Although they don’t contribute to the greater women’s MTB community, we feel Rola Motor Group need a thumbs up from us for sponsoring vehicles to two of the country’s most recognisable female mountain bikers, Candice Lill and Mariske Strauss.
Follow Rola Motor Group on Instagram here to find out more about their core business.
MATSIMELA LADIES CLINICS
We’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of or seen this group of ladies. The Matsimela Ladies Clinics, founded by Caroline Matsimela and Mandisa Makalima in 2020, is making waves in the cycling community. The ‘Kabo Yellow’ energy is tangible. They focus on teaching Black women how to ride bicycles and making the circle bigger. They have initially had a phenomenal impact on the road, but we are hoping to see that filter to more on the trails as we know Caroline personally loves her mountain bike.
Follow Matsimela Ladies Clinics on Instagram here to discover more of what they do.
ABSA #SheUntamed
We are currently unaware of any company or brand that has invested more money in growing women’s mountain biking in the past four years than Absa’s #SheUntamed initiative. This campaign really shows what can be done with unwavering focus and support, including financial. Outside of their mission to get more women to the start of the Absa Cape Epic, #SheUntamed has created a community of passionate, like-minded and driven women, who all essentially want the same thing – more female representation in our sport. We can only hope that this support and initiative continues for many more years.
Follow Absa South Africa’s Instagram account here to follow the #SheUntamed project’s progress.
FNB WINES2WHALES
The only stage race to have its own Women-focused event. The first of the three annual Wines2Whales races – the Chardonnay – is a dedicated women’s race. Media attention is not shared with the racing men here, and women are celebrated fully for their achievements.
Follow FNB Wines2Whales on Instagram here to see the event’s support for female racers.
STANDARD BANK BERG AND BUSH
The main reason Berg and Bush is on our list is because of the incredible female team that puts this annual stage race together. Yes, Farmer Gary Green and his trails team do their fair share, but the event would not be possible without his team of women, wife Nicky, daughters Roxanne and Spoen and Admin Queen, Jani. The attention to detail they bring to the race village, the catering, the Hot Box (24-hour food & beverage kiosk) and the general vibe of the event. The passion for mountain biking is in everything they do and they also offer discounted entries for women’s groups.
Follow Berg and Bush on Instagram here to see how they cater for women.
USWE
Pronounced ‘You-swee’, a premium brand that has captured our attention, not necessarily for what it is, but by the two powerhouse women behind it. Janine Muller and Mari du Toit take their riding seriously and this filters through to the USWE brand. USWE is now an official partner to the Absa Cape Epic, which makes complete sense. A marathon stage race, that both ladies are taking part in this year, but more than that, hydration at this event can go very wrong very quickly. Having a premium hydration pack is key.
Follow the Vivo Vita Sport Instagram account here to find out more about this brand and how it supports women.
EFFICIENT INFINITI INSURE
For eight years now, these two brands Efficient Insure and Infiniti Insurance, have funded a full-time women’s racing team. The team members have changed a bit over the years, but they’re usually among the top racers in Southern Africa. As of now (early March 2024), Efficient Infiniti Insure holds the women’s titles at the Absa Cape Epic (2023), the Spar Swiss Epic (2023) and the FNB Wines2Whales (2022) through the impressive efforts of Vera Looser and Kim le Court and a committed back-up crew. Much gratitude for the ongoing support for women’s racers.
Follow the Efficient Insure Instagram account here to track the team’s racing success.
There may be more brands that are investing specifically in women’s mountain biking that we are not aware of. If you own such a brand or know of one, please let us know. Send an email to joanne@treadmtb.co.za
