THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING

WE HIT THE ARIZONA DESERT AS PART OF A HUGE FEMALE-LED GROUP RIDE THAT PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP

- Tim Wild

It's early March and we're tackling 'Adobe Jack, one of the many jaw-droppingly scenic and technical trails surrounding the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival site. This is one of the most unusual rides we've ever been on.

Not just because there are 50 of us taking part, and trying to get that many riders to listen to words of instruction is nigh-on impossible. But also, because this ride has been organised, led and is more than half-populated by women.

The rocky, technical slab trails of Sedona aren't a walk in the park at the best of times. Right-angled ledges, spiny trailside plants and sometimes terrifying exposure can combine to make even the simplest of rides more complicated than you'd think. So, the idea of sharing the trails with 49 strangers - not to mention hikers, horse riders and tourist 4x4s, too doesn't seem like a particularly sensible one. However, after a quick "Follow me!" from ride leader Jess Hana, we make our unruly way off the fireroad and into the red, sandy rocks.

It's way more fun than anyone was expecting. We stop at different features - drops, rock-rolls, tank-track climbs up sandpaper ledges - and it's less like -a ride and more like a party. The mix of men and women, and the wide range of abilities, makes it one of the most positive, supportive sessions we've ever been part of.

No macho posturing, no jostling over position - just a massive gang of people riding, laughing and helping each other out. Every individual triumph, no matter how minor, is cheered to the rafters, people are making new friends left and right and grins stay on faces the whole time.

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