STATE COLLEGE — Women can face significant barriers to entry in cycling, especially when it comes to off-road biking.
If this sounds familiar, or you’ve simply been hesitant because you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. And you’re in luck! Happy Valley Women’s Cycling (HVWC), a central Pennsylvania women’s cycling team has been dismantling the obstacles since 2018.
HVWC offers a friendly and supportive environment that creates an atmosphere where women can challenge the reaches of what they thought was possible. Race Director and President of HVWC, Tanya Campbell says, “I see women go from ‘I can’t do this’ to ‘I can’ to ‘I did,’ and ‘I will do it again’!”
The organization’s mission is to advance women’s biking and racing in Centre County by introducing female-identifying individuals to gravel and mountain biking through recreational beginner rides, skills camps (Girls Rock! – ages 10-13), coaching, and learning opportunities.
Additionally, HVWC organizes Seasons of Rothrock Race Series, a four-part race event consisting of two gravel bike races and two mountain bike races. Participants can choose to ride in individual races or the entire race series. The series places the thrilling and challenging Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder at its core and inclusivity at its heart.
The Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder set for June 3 is HVWC’s flagship event. Last year this event attracted 517 riders from 22 states and Canada. This year the field is open to 600 registrants and in keeping with their mission of equal representation of men and women, half of the available entries are reserved for female riders.
Additionally, this year the field is open to riders of adaptable bikes including hand bikes and Class 1 E-Bikes in accordance with the PA State Park Code. Teammate Kat Massaro recalls, telling an adaptive rider that permission had been granted to include hand bikes this year. They both cried because it meant so much to them.
Held in the sylvan setting of Rothrock State Forest, the Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder is the crown jewel of this epic race series. Riders choose to participate at one of three levels: GRITTY, GRITTIER, and GRITTIEST. Participants at the GRITTY level cover 25 miles climbing to an elevation of 2600 feet. GRITTIER riders will take on a challenging 49-mile course with four steep climbs and an elevation gain of 5000 feet. And finally, the GRITTIEST grinder will cover a 65-mile loop with leg-crushing climbs totaling 7500 feet and wicked-fast downhills.
The series awards medals and cash prizes (riders must compete in all four races at the longest distance offered in each race) for categories that are often overlooked, such as 50+ and Youth Racers. Campbell says, “I have been to races where women are not awarded, youth riders are not acknowledged and they don’t pay equally.” This race series strives to upend those norms.
Not only does the series offer opportunities for all to compete, it donates 100% of net proceeds from race entries to local cycling initiatives. Committed to building the cycling community, HVWC has contributed $44K to local non-profit cycling initiatives to date. Recipients include Nittany Mountain Bike Association, Harvest Fields Community Trails, National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), Girls Rock, the YMCA of Centre County, High Point Skate Park, and Friends of Rothrock.
The Seasons of Rothrock Race Series is an extraordinary multi-race event that provides riders with a unique experience in the beautiful setting of Rothrock State Forest. The Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder is an excellent opportunity for individuals of all ages, genders, and abilities to participate in a thrilling and challenging event while supporting the local cycling community.
For more information, visit www.rothrock.hvwcycling.com or www.hvwcycling.com.
