Women in the Bike Industry Summit 2024 - The Programme

Welcome, registration and light refreshments.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ease into the day, grab a coffee and start making those connections!

Aoife Glass to open the Summit.

Podcaster, digital communities manager and former journalist, Aoife Glass will welcome everyone to the first Women in the Bike Industry Summit in Scotland, plus share top tips on how to make the most of the two-day event.

Edward Shoote - Economic Infrastructure Development Specialist, South of Scotland Enterprise. Lead on Mountain Bike Innovation Centre.

Coming soon to Innerleithen: the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre and Trail Lab! Ed will introduce the who, what, why and where of this amazing new facility, how it can be used and accessed by the cycling industry community and the opportunities it will bring to the South of Scotland and beyond.

Paula Ward - Economic Infrastructure Development Specialist and Delivery Manager – South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy & UCI Optimisation Plan for South of Scotland Enterprise

Industry and business, and how it ties to a location, is a critical element of developing successful enterprise within the cycling industry. Paula will share insights into her role, her career journey, and how people can approach and work with Paula herself, or others in similar roles across the country.

Alex Feechan - Founder Findra Clothing

Findra is known for producing high-quality garments for active women, designed in Scotland, and Alex shares how her background in fashion plus a passion for riding bikes led to the creation of the brand. What inspired the idea, how do you start a business in the cycling industry, what support is available and how do you build a community are a few of the topics Alex will cover.

Julia McLean ( AKA Jules on the Tools ) - Fox Factory World Series Race Technician

Jules is a familiar face on the UCI MTB World Cup Circuit. As a suspension technician, she ensures elite athletes have their bikes tuned to perfection, location to location over the course of the race season. She shares her experience working in this high-pressure environment, and how it’s one of a number of skills she brings, which also include mountain bike guide and dig leader.

Break. Networking and speaker drill down opportunity

Dr Lesley Ingram-Sills, Lecturer Sport, Exercise & Health. Program Leader for MSc sport performance enhancement

Academic representation within the industry. From cross-country mountain bike racer to academic researcher, Lesley will share insights into research she’s conducted into e-bike usage and the trail therapy programmes, highlighting the value and importance such research can bring and how it can be used. She will also share perspectives on the MTB Centre of Scotland, and her expertise in sports science.

Aneela McKenna - Mor Diversity

Aneela is passionate about ensuring cycling and the outdoor industries are accessible and welcoming to all, and has immense experience in building and developing communities. She will share her expertise in equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, her work with Mòr Diversity, and her own journey through the cycling world.

Emma Guy - WBD Sports

One of the reasons the Tweed Valley is known around the world for cycling is the down to the work of Emma Guy. From her work at The Hub - the original focus for the mountain bike community at the Glentress Trail Centre - through to her work in delivering the UCI Cycling World Championships XC events in the Tweed Valley, Emma is at the heart of mountain biking in this beautiful area. Emma will share her story, her experiences, as well as the triumphs and challenges, over the course of her diverse career journey.

Bex Barona - Elite Athlete and Gowaan Girls Founder

Elite athlete Bex shares her journey through mountain biking and the challenges and opportunities the sport has presented. As the co-founder of the Gowaan Girls festival, she’ll also talk about building community, creating a successful event, and other new ventures she is working on.

Problem solving session

This practical session will involve working together to discuss a selection of career and industry-related challenges, and what could be done to solve them through positive action.

Presentation of problem solving pitches

Share your innovative and inventive solutions to the problems posed, and come away with practical steps to address these issues.

Film Screenings - Kelly Jayne Collinge and Vicky Balfour

Be inspired by two amazing films which share the stories and perspectives of brilliant women. ‘Kelly’ explores motherhood, mountain biking and attitudes to pregnancy and cycling, and the joy of riding bikes with kids. The second film follows a bike packing adventure focussed on accessible trails. Vicky Balfour and her daughter Cece, who uses an adaptive bike, join Kell and her young son, sharing the joy and highlighting the importance of trails that work for everyone.After the screenings, a short Q&A with Kelly Jayne-Collinge and Vicky Balfour will explore the topics in greater depth

Break for refreshments and networking

Professional Development Session

This session will focus on you, your goals and aspirations. Expect to emerge with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Reflections, close and cheerio

Self Guided Ride Options

The Tweed Valley offers a wealth of amazing riding, so take this opportunity to head out for a spin! As well as world-class mountain bike trails to suit every level of rider, there are also gravel, road and traffic-free leisure routes to explore. Bike hire options available locally.

Rise and Grind

Shake off the cobwebs and enjoy an early morning ride with a view, lead by Comrie Croft's own, Emily Greaves.

Welcome, registration and light refreshments.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ease into the day.

Aoife Glass - to open day two with a recap from day one and inform attendees of the options they have to take part in for the final day.

Practical - Dig Session led by Marc Crowley DMBinS TVTA and Jules on the Tools.

Practical trail session. Mountain bike trails are maintained by a community of volunteers, and working on them brings a sense of satisfaction and camaraderie as well learning new skills and connecting with the environment.

Please bring safety (sturdy) boots, a sense of humour (to deal with our Marc), and we'll supply tools, gloves and eye protection.

Trail Therapy - Emily Greaves Trail Therapy Practitioner and Christine Fox DMBinS MTB Health Programmes Manager and Leadership Development

Trail Therapy is an innovative intervention programme that uses mountain biking to support those experiencing mental ill-health. Now in its 4th year, with over 1,500 sessions being delivered across five Scottish regions and with world wide interest, this is your opportunity to find out a little more about it and how you could get involved.

Join this taster ride session with Emily Greaves and Christine Fox to get a practical feel for what this approach is all about. Rides take place in the Glentress area on easy and accessible green/blue trails, suitable for beginners.

Podcasting and Interviewing Skills - Aoife Glass

Podcasting is a fast-growing medium, and a great way to connect with your community. Discover essential skills, tips and techniques, including how to organise, structure and conduct an interview with Aoife Glass, award-winning podcaster and host of the Spindrift Podcast.

Break for lunch. Delicious pies from Pie Innerleithen

Practical - Dig Session led by Marc Crowley DMBinS / TVTA and Jules on the Tools.

Practical trail session. Mountain bike trails are maintained by a community of volunteers, and working on them brings a sense of satisfaction and camaraderie as well learning new skills and connecting with the environment.Please bring safety (sturdy) boots, a sense of humour (to deal with our Marc), and we'll supply tools, gloves and eye protection.

Trail Therapy - Emily Greaves Trail Therapy Practitioner

Trail Therapy is an innovative intervention programme that uses mountain biking to support those experiencing mental ill-health. Now in its 4th year, with over 1,500 sessions being delivered across five Scottish regions and with world wide interest, this is your opportunity to find out a little more about it and how you could get involved.

Podcasting and Interviewing Skills - Aoife Glass

Podcasting is a fast-growing medium, and a great way to connect with your community. Discover essential skills, tips and techniques, including how to organise, structure and conduct an interview with Aoife Glass, award-winning podcaster and host of the Spindrift Podcast.