Cycling will be truly global when we see any many ladies taking to bikes as guys, and thankfully the the trend is certainly heading that way.
Along the way there will be those championing ladies’ riding, regardless of the discipline. Rachael Walker of Hope Technology and Hope Tech Women is one of those champions.
Pete had a chat with Rachael to see what Hope Tech Women is all about.
Enjoying the sunrise on an otherwise deserted Hellvellyn. Photo by Roo Fowler.
Who is Rachael Walker?
Doer of many things at Hope Technology. I primarily look after most things brand-related here at Hope – that can include anything from social media, to rider, to the website, Hopetech Women brand and rides, the soon to be Hope Academy, magazine relationships…. And the list goes on. Quite different from my previous life as a lawyer!
What’s your background in bikes?
Snowboarding was my first passion in my teens. It wasn’t until a group of friends who I boarded with suggested I have a go at mountain biking. Instead of a gentle XC ride, I was thrown in at the deep end on some local DH tracks. Many tumbles, falls and crashes later I was hooked. The rest is history and my love of all things two wheels, whether its DH, trail riding, cyclo-cross, XC, road – what ever, its all on two wheels so its good.
How long have you worked for Hope?
I’ve been at Hope for nearly five years now after making a pretty drastic change from being a corporate lawyer. It was one of those decisions- less money for a better lifestyle. I still work some crazy hours but at least its something I enjoy.
Its been an amazing journey with Hope so far. Its great to work for a company where you can actually have an idea and see it happen. There aren’t any hierarchy’s to go through numerous meetings with and get permission. If it’s a good idea – do it.
Why did you start Hope Tech Women? What changed?
I guess Hopetech Women was born out of a slightly selfish point of view. I’d grown up riding with guys which is brilliant but the mood and atmosphere riding with other women is different and I found, often more relaxing. Over the years it has been quite hard to meet other women who share the same level of love of bikes and are of a similar skill level.
I figured, if I struggled to find more women to ride with, surely there must be other women in the same position. If we could somehow create a community to help women find other women to ride with, encourage more women to start riding or push themselves and their skill level – surely that has got to be a good thing?
Fortunately at Hope we are in a good position where we have no other agenda whatsoever with Hopetech Women other than to get more women on bikes and help them improve. We aren’t a female specific bike brand, we don’t sell female clothing. We make good components that we think all riders need whether they are male or female. Hopetech Women isn’t about selling product, it’s about trying to increase the riding community and breakdown barriers for some people to start riding.
The owners here at Hope are fully behind Hopetech Women. Whilst they fully admit – as male engineers they aren’t the most in tune with the female market, they are fully supportive of any efforts to get more women riding bikes.
We organise rides at Gisburn Forest and other locations around the country and also provide the women with an opportunity to borrow one of our demo bikes for the evening. The demo fleet helps break down barriers for some women, if they don’t have a bike or don’t think their bike is up to the job, having the fleet at the rides is one less thing to stop certain women from coming and riding.
Photo by Roo Fowler.
What’s the response been to Hope Tech Women?
Really quite amazing. The response has blown us away and opened our eyes to the number of women who ride bikes, who want to ride more or who want to start riding.
No offence to the guys, but the women on our rides have shown to be much more positive and supportive of each other. Together they have created a riding atmosphere which is support and encouraging. The problem for Hope now is we cant really keep up with the demands for rides around the country!
How many people make up Hope Tech Women and what do they do?
There is pretty much one person that runs the Hopetech Women, myself, but massively assisted by a great team of guys here at Hope who are hugely supportive of Hopetech Women. Without them we couldn’t run the rides.
In the wider world, Hopetech Women are those women who share a passion for two wheels and a little adventure. Of course it helps if they have some Hope product also!
How can ladies get involved?
See our new website hopetechwomen.com to keep up to date with any events and rides, inspiring stories and our top “How To..” articles.
Where next? Any major plans afoot?
More rides and more events. Maybe even a little mates race next year…
Any long-suffering folk to thank?
All the chaps here at Hope who work hard to keep our demo fleet up and running and mainly all the women who come along to the rides – without whom there would be no Hopetech Women!
You can keep up to date with everything Hope Tech Women-related by following them on Instagram and Twitter.
