Rowdy Gowdy/ Glendo Endo and the greatness of women only retreats.

"I am thinking about putting together a women's only mountain bike weekend.  Would you be willing in helping me?"  This was a request from a good friend.  (We shall call her Friend JH.) Two years and three retreats ago, this how it all started for me. I became part of the Rowdy Gowdy  Mountain Bike Weekend and it's sister weekend the Glendo Endo. 

Though I am not a mountain biker, (the last time I rode the trails, a squirrel hit me in the helmet with a pine cone, in the effort to avoid said pine cone, I hit a tree with my knee and was lucky I was biking with a nurse).  I am a planner, organizer and a great large group cook.  The idea of women getting together on common ground of mountain biking, appealed to me.  There was no way I was going to be left out.  Friend  JH  did not know of my need to feed the masses, take care of all and stock outhouses with toilet paper.

Day 2 

First lets take the man out of the equation.  Why?  There is a different atmosphere with just women. We party, we dance, we laugh, we paint, we hug, drink beer, listen to each other and so much more. These retreats give us women a chance to do it ourselves, be strong, know our judgment is solid.  We have no safety net except ourselves.  We slow down just a bit.  Take time to learn skills. Coaches teach us different. They are also women, they understand our issues. We are great together.

Riding the boxes

 I have been married for over 30 years. Yes, to a man. I tend to like men. Some of my best friends are men.  But, there are still times I do things looking for my husband's approval, a little head shake, a thumbs up when I row through that  huge rapid, words of encouragement to send me down that ski hill way out of my comfort zone. I will admit, I have done some crazy (in my mind), things just to keep up.  Just to prove I am a s good as he is at ___________(fill in the blank).  I don't know why when we around men we are different.  We just are.

Getting coached over the box!

Women only retreats give us the opportunity to say, "no thank you, I am not comfortable, please slow down, I still do not get what I am doing wrong or I need help."  They give us the opportunity to support each other.  There is victory in little accomplishments.  There is understanding in frustrations.  There is security in numbers.  

Biking off picnic tables may be necessary
sometime.

Being a woman is strong.   We praise, we grow, we feel great inside our hearts.  We seek to know more about each other than what kind of a bike we ride.  "How is your family? You are limping.  What did you do?"  Some of us are mothers or wives.  We spend much of our time taking care of others.  Dinners, school lunches, laundry, work issues, homework, watching our kids play sports, etc.  This is our time to be the center, to demand someone pay attention to me, if only for a few seconds at a time. 

Taco Bar for dinner

I begged to work these retreats. The first time, Friend JH did not know how much I need them. Cooking is my stress relief.  Taking care of others blesses me.  With help of my daughter and and yet another friend, we provide all the meals for the masses for the retreats.  I leave these weekends with a very full heart.

For a weekend I get to be in a community of great women.  I have the opportunity to feed their stomachs.  I admit I am selfish.  I love the praise I get for a well cooked meal.  I get to see gals roll their eyes in delight when eating frozen treats after hot rides.  I have the privilege to stock toilet paper in the outhouse.  Little things mean a lot.  I experience  the pride and joy in their faces when they share accomplishments of the day. It is crazy how proud of bumps, scrapes and blood mountain bikers are!



This last retreat I was given the opportunity of befriending the Glendo State Park employee assigned to watch over us.  Her loneliness hurt my heart.  I hope by inviting her to share our meals, share our community, I was able to bring her a bit of friendship.

There is no doubt that in these weekend retreats the ladies ride hard.  That is the main focus.  There is so much more.  I think it is joy.

I AM WOMAN!  HEAR ME ROAR! 

For more information for either the Rowdy Gowdy or the Glendo Endo    https://gowdywomenscamp.com