Fearless Women of Dirt
Always Biking FWD

"A lot of folks still think that mountain biking is everything you see on Redbull TV," said Josie Smith. "And it's really not."

A Decorah local and creator of the mountain biking group Fearless Women of Dirt, Smith began mountain biking after her (now) husband, Travis, encouraged her to try it in 2013. "It was challenging at first and I didn't think I was going to like it," she said. That changed when he took her fat biking.

"Fat biking made it simpler; the snow-packed down all the roots so it wasn't as intimidating as it had been," Smith said. The large tires on fat bikes make riding through snow smoother. She and others, including Fearless Women of Dirt member Kristen Torresdal, became part of a fat biking group.

"I'm not a big winter sports person and I was looking for just one more way to be active and outdoors in the winter," said Torresdal. "I had mountain biked a couple of times prior to that but I had gone out with guys and I had a bike that wasn't really the right size for me. It just wasn't a great experience."

Torresdal continued, "We went out, she and I, and eventually a couple of other women, and it was a blast. It was beautiful. No one was out there. I ended up buying the fat bike I had rented."

After going on rides with groups of friends, Smith was determined to create something official to involve more women in mountain biking. "There was a lack of comradery I felt," she said. "And I wanted to encourage that." She and Travis spent just one night discussing what Smith could name a group. "We came up with Fearless Women of Dirt because if you shorten it to FWD, it's forward and with biking, you're always going forward."

Torresdal was especially happy when the group was created. "That really changed my experience of mountain biking when there was more of a community of women and beginners. The purpose of it was to be welcoming and encouraging and enthusiastic and supportive."

The FWD community has been growing since its creation in 2015 and now has six additional chapters; Cedar Valley, Des Moines, Twin Cities, Madison, Cedar Rapids and Twin Ports. "Each FWD chapter has a Facebook group page so that's a really helpful thing for folks who might be traveling," Smith said. "It opens the doors to potential communication or potential for new friends to be made." FWD is currently prevented from any group activities because of COVID-19 but plans to resume once it is possible.

"I wanted to create a place where anybody who wanted to learn basic mountain biking skills or go on mountain bike rides could get into contact with me and go on rides," said Smith. "When it comes to mountain biking, it's very much seen as a male sport and I wanted to create a space where those in the minority could feel welcome and encouraged to do something that they've always wanted to do."

"I've ridden with and know a lot of encouraging males who are really super supportive of getting women and kids out there mountain biking," Smith went on, "but sometimes having another female explaining certain things and helping guide a person through something works a little bit better."

"I ride with a bunch of guys that are fantastic humans," said Torresdal. "They're fun to ride with and certainly have coached new riders themselves. I think we just approach risk in more of a cerebral fashion. We want to think through the pieces of it."

Both women cite the challenge, among other factors, as what keeps them going back to the trails. "Even though I've been mountain biking since 2014, there are still things that I can find to challenge myself," Smith said. "When you accomplish those challenges it's just absolutely worth it. What makes it more enjoyable for me is being able to work my brain and my body at the same time."

"I'm rejuvenated after I get off my bike," said Torresdal. "I've just spent an hour or two forgetting about work or pandemics or whatever else may be happening at the time." Along with the outdoor scenery and seclusion of the woods - "It's nice to feel like you're the only person out there in the whole world," said Smith - the women are grateful for the trails and beauty of the Decorah area.

"I love all our trails. Everyone who volunteers to help build trails and maintain trails here is awesome. Big shout out to Decorah Human Powered Trails and the work that they do," said Torresdal. Smith is a part of the Decorah volunteer maintenance group and couldn't pick a favorite trail. She does suggest new riders try the Pines East and West trails in Van Peenen and the Upper Palisades trail.

The first thing Smith recommends new riders do is "get a good bike that fits well and inspires confidence. Make sure whatever bike you get has been gone through mechanically at a reputable bike shop." Smith said she's seen people show up to group FWD rides with bad brake pads or old tires. "It doesn't have to be the newest, coolest bike but it has to be safe."

Smith also stressed the importance of new, uncracked, well-fitting helmets. "It is humbling when you realize that a helmet probably saved your noggin." Smith advocated the importance of participation in one's local biking community. "Talk with your local bike shops. See where good places to ride are. Find out if there are any riding groups or folks willing to ride with new riders."

"In small communities like this, there are women's groups or pockets of women that welcome new riders and are happy to show them the ropes and the trails or answer questions," said Torresdal. "People think it's more dangerous than it is. There are a lot of beginner and intermediate trail options and it's not all dangerous."

"The thing is, with mountain biking you are in control of the bike," Smith said. "You have your hands on the brakes. You are the one who is making it go and you can choose how fast or slow you make that bike. It's no different if you're riding around town or if you're riding around a paved trail."

"A bike is a tool for you to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer," she continued. "Just because you're on a dirt trail doesn't mean that the bike's gonna go crazy and take off and leave you. You have the power to make the ride whatever you want it to be."

"I've actually been injured worse riding pavement than mountain biking," Torresdal noted. "People think you need to be an extreme athlete. There are a lot of body types and fitness levels that can be successful at mountain biking. I've seen it. I've lived it. If you can balance and pedal a bike, you can mountain bike."

"The first year I went mountain biking was hard," Smith admits. "But a lot of the times I'm just riding at what I consider an athletic pace really no different than what a lot of folks do on the Trout Run Trail. My wheels are on the ground and I'm literally just going for a casual spin in the woods. Anytime that I mountain bike it can be whatever I want to make it."

For more information about FWD and future rides visit fearlesswomenofdirt.com or Fearless Women of Dirt on Facebook.