BIKE – La Plagne, Morzine or Tignes, the mountain trails have no more secrets for them (or almost). They are the “Bikettes”. Pronounce it as you wish, biquette version or in English (” Bicycle meaning bike), in any case, it is an association offering mountain bike outings. His particuliarity ? Only women ride with the Bikettes.

Based in Annecy, with about a hundred members per year since its creation six years ago, this association creates a meeting between “ girls motivated to ride together and share good times on the bike “. And this, whatever the age or level.

While the Tour de France Women ends this Sunday, March 31, and the French Cycling Federation (FFC) has only about 10% of members, The HuffPost asked Déborah Motsch, one of the co-founders of Bikesto explain to us why it was important for them to found a mountain bike group for women.

Bikettes

In Serre Chevalier in 2018

The HuffPost : The Women’s Tour de France has made a comeback after years of absence, what do you think?

Deborah Motsch: Even if we follow the road bike less than the mountain bike, I could see that it was very little publicized. But there’s no reason why the Tour de France should only be for men, road cycling is a professional environment that also suits women.

As for mountain biking, in people’s minds it remains a sport for boys, but I find that there has been a real evolution over the last ten years. When I started evaluating in the middle, there were really not many of us; today I see a lot more women in the bike parks in the summer. And in competition, whether cross-country or downhill, the courses are the same for men and women.

How and why did you found the Bikettes?

At the start, we were several friends in Annecy doing mountain biking. We met one evening to do some together, then the following week. We thought it would be nice to talk about it to other girlfriends who fail on their bikes, so we created a Facebook group to suggest outings. This group quickly grew, it had a snowball effect, lots of girls came out of nowhere! We did not expect that.

It gave us lots of ideas for events, partners to get discounts on equipment, etc.

What does an outing with the Bikettes look like?

We propose to meet for one outing a week, we ride about 15 kilometers for 300 or 400 meters of elevation. The outings are for all levels, the girls give each other advice, we take breaks.

Bikettes

Bikettes in Morzine

What are the motivations of women that make you happy?

There is a strong demand from girls for advice, organized outings, riding with other girls.

Many started with their friends, are tired of being behind, of going on courses that are too difficult. For them, it’s reassuring to ride with other girls. We created a small community around it.

See also on The HuffPost: Aurélien Fontenoy climbed a tower of La Défense… by bike!