January 17/08 4:06 am - Fly Gurlz 2008: New Sponsor, New Events, Expanded Team

Posted by Editoress on 01/17/08
 

Fly Gurlz 2008
Courtesy Michelle Ward

Fly Gurlz welcome new sponsor, new events and expanded team for 2008 season

Fresh off of the 10th Anniversary celebrations, the Fly Gurlz Community is pumped and ready to ride into another decade of racing, riding and recruiting women of all ages and ability levels to the sport of mountain biking.

Fly Gurlz is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Trek and Gary Fisher, which will be supported by retailers throughout Ontario. "We are so excited to be working alongside Trek and Gary Fisher. Both of these companies are as dedicated to growing the sport of mountain biking for women as we are. It's a match made in heaven," said Michelle Ward, director, Banana Seat Productions Limited.

The Trek WSD Tour will attend the Fly Gurlz women's only mountain bike relay on July 19, 2008 at Albion Hills, Bolton and women's learn to mountain bike camp at Blue Mountain, Collingwood on May 24, 2008. Trek is equally enthusiastic about the sponsorship deal. "Trek and Gary Fisher are excited to be partnered with Canada's premier women's mountain bike community, Fly Gurlz, for 2008," said Robert Boyce, territory manager, Ontario, Gary Fisher and Lemond Racing Cycles. "This relationship will benefit all involved by providing many more women the opportunity to enjoy cycling off-road on a bike designed for women, in an environment supportive of women."

Motrin will return as a key sponsor with a new and innovative program. "The My Game My Pain Fly Gurlz games will be a great way to get women involved," said Ward. "Throughout the season we will run fun challenges with prizes and rewards for the women participating in our programming. We estimate close to 700 women will pass through the Fly Gurlz doors in one way or another this year."

Fly Gurlz will continue to run the popular women's mountain biking camps at Blue Mountain in Collingwood. A new camp location has been added at Boler Mountain in London and the first-ever Fly Gurlz club boot camp will take place at Albion Hills Conservation Area in Bolton.

Due to an explosion in growth, 2008 will see an expanded team (listed below) consisting of 40 core and community support members including 26 fully sponsored riders and 14 semi-sponsored riders. As well, new clubs have been added in London and Barrie, in addition to the existing clubs in Durham Region, Halton Region and Toronto.

Fly Gurlz is open to all women, regardless of age, ability level, shape or size. "It's more than mountain biking," said Ward. "It's learning about yourself and all that you can achieve with some guidance and support from real women who ride."

Watch for the newly launched website www.flygurlz.com on February 1, 2008 where you will find everything you need to know about how to become a Fly Gurl.

Other 2008 sponsors include Blue Mountain Resorts, PowerBar, Sugoi, Running Tide Inc. and Pedal Magazine. Fly Gurlz is proudly affiliated with the Ontario Cycling Association.

2008 Team Roster:

Management: Banana Seat Productions Limited
Director: Michelle Ward

Race Team
Ericka Hastie
Julie McFarlane
Becky Atkinson
Jacquelyn Burton
Abby Owsley
Sarah Potter
Tanya Flemming
Laura Shearer
Colleen Golding
Andrea Lovegrove
Jennifer Wasylenko
Melinda Davie