BIKE Women Camp 2022

"Uii, do you know who that is...?" There was a lot of whispering on the first day. Until our surprise guest mingled with the black trail group and gave every single rider valuable tips on riding technique: Emilie Siegenthaler! The former World Cup downhiller and sports psychologist travelled here with the Pivot team.

Slight nervousness on the first morning: Which group will I start in? What are the other girls like? On the morning of 26 June, a total of 89 participants still didn't know what the brilliant landscape around them would bring over the next four days...

Karen Eller had a good laugh, because as the head of the camp she naturally knows what is planned for the next four days. Unfortunately, what we completely forgot in all the planning and only realised afterwards: We could have celebrated an anniversary this year. 10 years of the BIKE Women Camp! We'll make up for the party next year. I promise!

"I admire these women who simply go out and do their thing for their sport and their passion," says Michael Baum from Mons Royal. "And I like the idea that every time these women put on our shirts at home, they will remember this event. Of the landscape, the trails, the many like-minded people and this truly unique atmosphere at the camp."

Emilie Siegenthaler was at Lake Molveno for the first time and seemed to be the most surprised herself. As a long-time racer, she should have known this area by now, she says. The mixture of built and natural trails in the Paganella Bike Park is perfect for creative riding training. Participants who were fast enough in the morning were given a hire bike from Pivot with a World Cup set-up!

On the second morning, the nervousness had already given way to broad anticipation of the upcoming trail day.

Celebrate steep walls as they come: One feature of the Molveno trails are the extremely creatively constructed lines. Even on the easy descents, hardly one bend is the same as another. By the end of the four days, all the participants knew how to use the wooden momentum generators.

I'll keep that on straight away: Foxy from Propain lent out 17 test bikes every morning and served espresso in between to wake me up.

A brief lavender idyll at Agriturismo Il Ritorno in San Lorenzo. Which is not what this picture suggests: While everyone was still sitting comfortably on the terrace with Trentino specialities and white wine, a storm swept over us with lightning, thunder and downpours. After dinner, we had to climb another eleven kilometres back to the camp on a wet pass road. Moments to laugh about - a few days later.

The Molveno trail crew had specially swept the beginner lines and the Brenta towers in the background did everything they could to keep the storm clouds at bay for a while longer.

You ride key sections until you get them right - one of the black groups, seized by ambition, pushes up again to the start.

Maxxis took over the tyre service this time. Workshop topics: How do you change the inner tube quickly and elegantly in the event of a puncture? Or switch to tubeless tyres? The girls from Maxxis certainly had enough nerves, material and alcoholic drinks for both options.

Enduro ace, wrenching queen, mother and now crash pro: Julia Schäfer used short programme slots to demonstrate to the participants that crashes don't always have to hurt - provided you roll off skilfully.

Do the goggles fit the helmet? Or do I try out a full-face helmet today? Alpina made it possible. The combinations were swapped around during the tour and discussed at length.

Scott, Pivot and Propain delighted the girls again this year with the latest bikes and suspension systems. Participants who couldn't get their hire bikes properly clean before returning them were of course professionally helped at the Tunap bike wash station.

We've earned it! There was free access to the Bitburger fridge at the BIKE stand throughout the day. Just as well, because 25 crates of empties are much easier to stack back into the van after the camp.

Haaach, did we mention how beautiful this lake is? With the SUP boards provided by Red Paddle, it was almost unbearable.

Yoga instructor Olivia travelled from Zurich. And as she is an enthusiastic mountain biker herself and was on tour with us every day, she naturally also knew what relaxes the legs, back and mind. Word spread quickly. As a result, more mats were occupied every morning - even if you had to get up with the sun.

It's done: The girls really weren't squeamish with the test bikes. Nevertheless, the enduro bikes were lined up again in the morning like new, ready for the next ride.

Caught: The black groups also take a break in between! But not for long, because they also took on the big enduro laps in the Paganella area. Including the one with the carrying passage up to the summit. If only because the view from up there extends as far as Lake Garda.

The test bike is purring, the test backpack is in place - and where did I leave the test helmet? At the Deuter stand, all the features of the new trail backpack were demonstrated...

The photographer really made an effort, but even she had to realise once again: No matter which side you photograph Lake Molveno from - it remains a dream.

Unfortunately, every dream comes to an end at some point and so, after four days and a pretty partying Saturday night, it's time to say goodbye to the new friends.

Okay, just a few more bits and bobs - I'll get to the car somehow...

Dear girls, once again it was a super nice camp with you! Let's do it again next year. We will put the date on the Homepage. Then we'll also celebrate the anniversary party. We promise! Best wishes from the whole team, Karen Eller.