A new women’s mountain bike race is set to take place in Squamish this year, aiming to increase female participation in the sport and inspire more women to step onto podiums at competitive events. The Loam Hustler, an enduro-style race, will be held on May 11, 2025, offering two courses designed for riders of all skill levels.
The event was created by Clare Livingstone, founder of Treat Squamish and Ladies Who Loam. Livingstone, who has been an avid cyclist for much of her life, hopes the race will provide a supportive environment for women to gain confidence in mountain bike racing.
“I’ve always been around bikes, whether it was family cross-country rides in Scotland or commuting to work,” Livingstone shared with The Squamish Chief. “My partner and I moved to Squamish in 2016, where I became involved with the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), and my skills and passion for biking took off from there.”
Livingstone’s passion for supporting female riders grew after the success of Ladies Who Loam, an unofficial, no-registration social ride group she founded in 2021. The group, aimed at getting more women into mountain biking, has welcomed over 500 women of all abilities since its inception.
The Loam Hustler race is a response to the realization that women remain underrepresented in mountain biking. Livingstone’s experience as both a rider and spectator at various races, including B.C. Cup and World Cup events, highlighted the need for more women in competitive cycling.
“I’ve noticed the lack of women in the sport and realized we need to encourage more female riders, especially juniors, to reach the elite level and compete on the podium,” Livingstone said. “By creating a women-specific race, we can offer a stepping stone to larger events like the Squamish Enduro and B.C. Cup races.”
The Loam Hustler aims to be an inclusive race where women can step out of their comfort zones and test their skills. The enduro-style event will only time riders on the downhill stages, allowing them to focus on their strengths.
Two course options will be available: a challenging black course featuring five stages and a more approachable blue course with three stages.
Through this event, Livingstone hopes to inspire more women to take the leap into competitive mountain biking and enjoy the thrill of the race.
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