Women’s Bike Day- Rise and Ride in Louisiana with LASS

     Words by Candice Hansen 

The first-ever Women’s Bike Day in Louisiana was hosted at Bogue Chitto State Park by the incredible team LASS – Louisiana Singletrack Sisters. As a passionate supporter of women in mountain biking and a Louisiana native, I was thrilled to be part of this new event dedicated to getting more women on mountain bikes and building a supportive riding community.

Who are the Louisiana Singletrack Sisters (LASS)?

LASS, the Louisiana based all-women MTB group, is dedicated to helping grow the female mountain biking scene in the south. The MTB community in the state is still small but definitely gaining traction—and women are playing a major role in that growth. Inspired by the need for connection and progression, LASS created Women’s Bike Day: Rise and Ride to empower riders and expand the sisterhood of MTB.

Mountain Biking at Bogue Chitto State Park

While this wasn’t my first time mountain biking in Louisiana, Bogue Chitto did not disappoint the second time around. The local trail team recently built new upgrades to Cortez Coaster and new features in the skills areas. Despite the state’s flat terrain, the trails here are fun, flowy, and feature-rich, making them perfect for riders of all levels.

Joining the Celebration: Northwest Arkansas Meets Louisiana

My friends and I headed south to Bogue Chitto State Park from Northwest Arkansas to join the ladies at their first ever Women’s Bike Day. The event kicked off on a Friday evening with dinner and a fun night ride to celebrate the start of Women’s Bike Day! On Saturday morning the LASS crew started the day with breakfast and a mobility session to warm up our bodies before riding. After our bodies were stretched and ready, the skills clinic started and was led by certified MTB instructors Madeline Neyland and Jessica Moore, both respected ride leaders with Women of OZ NWA. (Fun fact: Madeline co-founded LASS before moving to Arkansas!)

The day continued with a bike maintenance workshop, followed by a fun poker ride where participants raced to solve clues for a chance to win prizes. The energy was electric, and the camaraderie among riders was inspiring. 

Community, Sisterhood, and Inspiration

Surrounded by the pine trees and classic Louisiana humidity, I left Bogue Chitto feeling motivated, uplifted, and connected to this amazing community. Watching these women level up their riding and bond through mountain biking was something special to witness.

A shoutout to Beth Zagurski of LASS, whose passion and vision brought this event to life, and Summit Bike Academy for sponsoring the MTB Coaches and clinic. Events like this remind us that it truly takes a village—and I’m grateful to have been part of it.