Welcome to Running: A FEVER, the show about fitness, diet, and medicine. I’m Michael Davis, and my goal is to live a long, healthy, happy, active life right up to the very end. It’s all about livin’ long and lovin’ life.

We’re continuing our series on cycling in Northwest Arkansas. This time, we’re talking about Women of Oz, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women through the sport of mountain biking.

Back in 2019, some women mountain bikers in Northwest Arkansas wanted to have a stronger sense of community and connection around their shared interest in cycling. They sought to put together a supportive network of like-minded women to explore trails together. With this in mind, they began creating a space where women of all backgrounds and skill levels could connect, learn, and experience the thrill of mountain biking.

At the heart of the organization is a dedicated board of women, guided by the passion and expertise of steering committee members and ride leaders. This collaborative team embodies the spirit of empowerment that drives the organization, with the goal of ensuring every woman feels welcome, supported, and encouraged to embrace the sport of mountain biking.

Women of Oz has now grown into a thriving community, empowering over 6500 women to embark on their mountain biking journeys.

Every first Saturday of the month, Women of Oz holds a Flagship Ride, usually with about 150 participants. The Ride involves training on fundamental biking skills and guided rides for beginners as well as experienced riders. After the Ride, a social event is held to foster connections among women riders.

One of the organization’s goals is to break down the barriers that often prevent women from exploring the trails, creating a supportive community where no woman rides alone. By removing obstacles such as limited equipment access and the need for comprehensive training, they empower women to build confidence by developing their bike skills. And of course, they aim to make it fun as well.

Women of Oz is committed to continuing their mission. They aim to refine their programming, foster engagement within the local community of women’s rides, and welcome new participants with open arms. The goal also includes developing leaders and fostering education, so that biking leaders will become leaders at home, work, and in the community.

Women of Oz https://woznwa.com/. There, you can learn about their leadership team, view their event schedule, and connect with their social media. I wasn’t able to interview someone from the organization, but I certainly hope to do so in the future.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Women of Oz in this episode of our series on cycling in Northwest Arkansas. Remember, if you’ve got the fever, keep it burning, and if you don’t, catch the fever. And I will see you next time on Running: A FEVER.