How do I join your group? Is there a fee? A secret handshake?

We offer classes, events and rides that are open to any women riders, regardless of if you have ridden with us before. These are posted on our Events page and social media. While we don't charge to participate in rides, we do have a membership program for women who want access to additional programs, discounts and more. There's no secret handshake ;) Just lots of high-fives and hugs!

I've never been on a mountain bike, is this group for me?

Well first off, we highly encourage you to try mountain biking! But that said, if you are completely new to the sport, our group ride are not designed to teach beginners. We are happy to direct you to options to learn about mountain biking and get the basics down before you join us for a ride. We offer skills clinics throughout the year in partnership with professional MTB coaches. We want to ensure that everyone is safe and has fun on our rides - that means all of our riders have the basics of mountain biking & the right equipment.

A few times a year we offer:

Totally New to MTB Clinic + Ride (free for Crank Queens members, fee for non-members). You have never ridden a mountain bike before, you've never taken a fundamental skills clinic, or it’s been a little longer than you would like to admit. This group will participate in a mini-clinic followed by a beginner friendly ride (4-6 miles on green trails). We offer this option at a few of our rides a year (not all monthly rides include this option, be sure to check the details before signing up!)

At every monthly group ride, we offer:

Mellow: You have the basics of MTB, you ride occasionally, and you are comfortable on green trails like Mountain Cove, Bucks, Owls Roost, etc. You can ride 5-8 miles with several stops. You may not like to ride tech, jumps, drops, etc. You might be working on improving your pace.

Getting Spicy: You ride often and you are comfortable riding 10-15 miles with a few stops. You enjoy blue trails and don’t shy away from a little tech. You are very comfortable on trails like Freestone, Sidewinder, Eastside, Lower Hulls (maybe not the big rock!) etc. 

Spicy: You love the tech and the downhill! And you’re probably confident climbing those hills as well. You can easily ride 20+ miles with little to no breaks. You are totally comfortable with blue trails and maybe love the black diamonds too. You are comfortable on trails like Shake n Bake, Stormin Mormon, Bob’s, Lower Hulls, the rock garden on Chukar, etc.

Note: The Totally New to MTB Clinic is only available at some of our monthly rides. See ride registration for details & availability. 

How do I know if a particular ride is a fit for me?

We provide ride details in all of our event postings. However, if you are still unsure if the ride is right for you or not, please shoot us a message! See our other FAQs about what to bring and the difference between a drop ride vs a no-drop ride. You can also read about the specific trails/route using a trail app such as Trail Forks or MTB Project to understand mileage, level of technical difficulty and elevation gain. It is up to you to decide if your fitness/skill level match the planned ride.

What equipment do I need to participate?

A mountain bike in good working order and a bike helmet are required. You will also need to RSVP in advance for all of our rides, please see our events page for details. If you show up without any of these, you will not be allowed to ride with us. We highly recommend you also bring a water bottle, snacks, a small first aid kit, and a small bike repair kit (tire repair items, bike multi-tool, etc.).

What can I expect at your mountain bike rides?

Most of our MTB rides are social, no-drop rides. Please read the full ride description if you are unsure if a particular ride is right for you. All riders need to know the basics of mountain biking - bike/body separation, braking, etc. Our group rides are not teaching/coaching events. All riders must have basic mountain bike skills and carry their own equipment (tools, hydration, food, etc).

What is a drop ride vs a no-drop ride?

Drop rides are rides where the rider leader sets the pace and does not wait for other riders at trail junctions. This means that all riders must come prepared to ride solo in case they get dropped (i.e., have all your own tools, hydration, food and know how to get back). These are faster paced rides (8+ MPH average) for those who are training for races or just want to improve their fitness/pace. No-drop rides have a ride leader who will review the route before we start and will make sure nobody gets left behind on the trail. Even with these rides, please remember that YOU are responsible for your own riding and safety. Bring the right equipment, attire, hydration, snacks and tools. The majority of our rides are no-drop and we will state in the description if is is a “drop” ride.

Why are you a group specifically for women?

Because riding with other women is awesome! ;)

Other than the fact the it is an incredible experience riding with other women, we recognize that there are a LOT of groups out there for men and/or co-ed riding. We also find that many women are looking for that connection and community with other women riders, so we are creating a space for that in a sport that is often male dominated. On occasion we do have co-ed rides and those are clearly advertised in our event details. Most of our rides are just for women. 

How do I learn about trail etiquette?

Trail etiquette (how we interact with other trail users) is an increasingly important topic for mountain bikers in Boise as our trails see more and more usage. Most of our trails in Boise are multi-use, so know the standard trail etiquette and follow it! To learn more, please see the resources available on the Ridge to Rivers website. All riders who ride with the Crank Queens are expected to abide by the Ridge to Rivers trail etiquette.

Can minors ride with the Crank Queens?

Sorry! Due to our insurance, minors are not allowed to ride with us. 

Can I bring my dog?

For the safety of your pet and others, we ask that you don't bring Fido when joining us for our Crank Queens events.

What's up with all the tutus?

You might see us riding in tutus on occasion. That usually means we're celebrating someone's birthday. Or maybe just having some extra fun!