Lady Shredders

Want to shred or learn to shred with like-minded ladies on Western North Carolina’s world-class mountain bike trails? Then Blue Ridge Dirt Skrrts is the crew for you. Since 2021, this nonprofit organization has been breaking down barriers to help get women safely and comfortably riding off-road. As mountain biking’s popularity grows, women are transforming the once male-dominated sport into a more inclusive outdoor adventure—skirts optional.

Dirt Skrrts offers monthly rides led by trained volunteers and geared toward multiple skill levels, from “foundation” to “chill” to “rowdy.” There’s also a Silver Shredders option for the 50-plus set who prefer to adventure with others of the same vintage. All rides are done in small groups and have a no-drop policy (meaning no pedalers get left in the dust). Events rotate among different trail systems throughout the region, and each is followed by a social at a local business. Additional Dirt Skrrts offerings include maintenance classes, skills workshops, and an annual all-day Women’s Bike Bash in the spring.

“We all need community, and bikes are a fabulous way to build community,” says Whitney Houck, board president of Blue Ridge Dirt Skrrts. “We wanted to create a mechanism to bring women riders together and make trails feel less intimidating.” In the past five years, more than 1,200 women have participated in Dirt Skrrts happenings—and it’s not just locals. Houck explains that riders regularly travel from a wide swath of Southeastern cities, including Greenville, Boone, and Atlanta, to ride with this pack.

For most of the organization’s five-year journey, volunteers have run the operation, but this past March, the board hired Danielle Cipriani as executive director. “We believe every woman deserves a welcoming place on the trail, and this allows us to continue to grow effectively and sustainably,” Houck says.

The nonprofit works to keep things accessible in other ways, too. “Mountain bikes and gear can be expensive. One of the unique things about Dirt Skrrts is that we are almost 100 percent free,” continues the president. The group even offers loaner bikes from area bike businesses for beginner riders, so they can try the sport before making a financial investment.

While rides cost nothing and typically take place on public trail systems, Dirt Skrrts recently launched a tiered membership program called The Skrrt Collective that raises funds to sustain the group’s efforts and create more opportunities for women to connect and thrive on the trails. And the lowest membership tier simply asks participants to pay what they can.

Feeling ready to roll? Dirt Skrrts plans to ride the Fonta Flora Trail at Lake James State Park on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Ride on!

Connect with Blue Ridge Dirt Skrrts at dirtskrrts.com, or follow their tracks @dirtskrrts.