More than 140 women and girls rode the Massanutten Western Slope on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the third annual JOYRIDE, and a brand-new green trail gave a dozen first-time riders a first ride they loved.
TL;DR · Key Takeaways
JOYRIDE, the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition’s women and girls mountain bike day, drew its largest turnout ever for a sold-out event on November 1, 2026: more than 140 riders at the Massanutten Western Slope near Harrisonburg, Virginia. Twelve of them had never ridden a mountain bike before, thanks to reduced-cost rentals from Massanutten Resort, and many took their very first ride on the new Up Dogg green trail.
It was her first time on a mountain bike. She had come up from Florida with a friend, and her very first trail was Up Dogg, the brand-new green trail on the Western Slope. Afterward, she was raving, with a beaming smile, about how it was the best first experience she could have asked for: a trail she could truly ride and enjoy with a friend.
That moment captures JOYRIDE 2026. More than 140 women and girls came out to the Western Slope on Sunday, November 1, for the third annual JOYRIDE, our largest turnout and our biggest energy yet. Many of them were riding these trails for the first time.
The sun was shining on a warm November day, the grill was fired up with burgers, and the day was buzzing with infectious energy as all these riders uplifted one another and savored the trails. Joy was contagious.
View the Photos
Brooke Imber and Rachel Bernstein captured the whole day: 379 photos in all. Find yourself, your friends, and your crew:
A first ride on a brand-new green trail
Up Dogg opened this season as a true beginner-friendly green trail on the Western Slope, built by the Massanutten trail crew and the Coalition’s Western Slope trail team. At JOYRIDE, ride leaders took more than a dozen new riders out on it, and every one of them could stay on the bike and feel comfortable on their first ride at the Western Slope.
This is a TRUE social trail! All the other trails I’ve been on here, I’ve never been able to ride and have a conversation with a friend! I love that you are building social trails!
A JOYRIDE 2026 rider
A green trail described as a social trail: wide and smooth enough that you can ride side by side and talk. It makes so much sense, and it’s exactly why beginner trails matter.
Twelve riders on a mountain bike for the very first time
Massanutten Resort offered reduced-cost bike rentals for JOYRIDE, so 12 riders who had never been on a mountain bike got to try it. This is the first year many of those women told us they had a deeply positive, confidence-boosting experience. The credit goes to two things: the chance to try riding for the first time, and new, true green trails to take them on. (Bonus: the leaves were blown off the trail, too.)
JOYRIDE 2026 by the numbers
- 140+ women and girls rode the Western Slope on November 1, 2026, the largest JOYRIDE turnout in its three years.
- 20+ local women and volunteers who led/swept rides, supported new riders at the Western Slope, and all-around created a welcoming and warm environment
- 12 riders on a mountain bike for the very first time, on reduced-cost rentals from Massanutten Resort
- More than a dozen new riders took their first Western Slope ride on the new Updogg green trail
- 3rd annual JOYRIDE
- 379 photos from two volunteer photographers
Thank you
Massanutten Resort sponsored JOYRIDE, made reduced-cost rental bikes possible, ran shuttles, and most of all supports the trails that made the day work for new and seasoned riders alike. The shuttle and shop team brought wonderful energy and organization, and Ryan even took drone shots for us.
Lauf Cycles kept their tent busy all day with conversations and demo rides. Lucy and Dylan jumped in with setup and helped wherever they could, right before flying to Iceland that night.
The Western Slope trail team volunteers put immense effort into creating, building, and growing these trails and this community. You don’t always get to hear what riders say afterward, so here it is: they loved it.
Each of the local women who have cultivated a wonderful community at the Western Slope, and the 20+ volunteers who helped make the day extra special with rides, support, and warm greetings
Demetra Heckman and Kristin Gibson who have been on the volunteer planning team for JOYRIDE, and helped get the event started three years ago.
The coaches who taught clinics and brought wonderful energy: Kelly Hazlegrove, Marlie Smith and Abi Snyder.
The hype trail fairies of S3 who came down from the Frederick Watershed to bring the energy, volunteerism, and pixie dust!
And huge thanks to our photographers, Brooke Imber and Rachel Bernstein, for capturing the day so beautifully.
Help build more trails like Up Dogg
Beginner-friendly green trails are how new riders become lifelong riders. Your gift helps the Coalition build and care for trails on the Western Slope and across the Shenandoah Valley. Become a Trailkeeper with a monthly gift, or give once today.
Learn more about JOYRIDE and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.
The full photo gallery is here!
Amanda Presgraves is the Director of Community Enchantment at the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.
