In the early days of 2015, when faced with some adversity and unknowns about the upcoming riding season, the Muddbunnies decided to take the negative and turn it into a big, big positive. With the support of Ryders Eyewear, the Muddbunnie Vollie Program was founded!
With this being the first year, the Muddbunnie Vollie Program was geographically limited to the Vancouver and surrounding areas. In the future, with how much the Muddbunnies are growing geographically, no matter where they live, a Muddbunnie will be able to participate in volunteer initiatives in their local riding communities.
Not only did the ladies help out in their local riding community, they also helped young women interested in mountain bike racing to gain bursaries by donating $2 per volunteer shift to Ride Like a Girl!
Ride Like A Girl supports girls in British Columbia who are up to the age of 20 years old and are currently racing cross-country, downhill or enduro mountain biking or who are honing their skills as a freeride athlete. Their mentorship program provides opportunities for young athletes to ride with and receive guidance from professional female athletes in their discipline.
In 2015 Ride Like A Girl matched five young female riders with mentors and provided two bursaries valued at $500 each to assist with race/event expenses. The video from their year will be dropping on Pinkbike very soon – stay tuned!
During the first year of the Muddbunnie Vollie Program, 27 ladies signed on completing 98 shifts. They participated in trail days, races, events and generally giving back to their riding community.
Because of this initiative the Muddbunnies, along with Ryders Eyewear, were able to donate $200 to Ride Like A Girl!
The new Director of Volunteers, Rebecca, has officially taken over the helm with hopes to gain even more traction, and donations, in 2016! You can contact her for any information regarding 2016 at volunteers-vancouver@muddbunnies.com.
Vollie on ladies! #ridelikeagirl #givelikeagirl