Martha Gill and Bex Baraona make up the Gowaan Gals, who have set up the UK’s first ladies-only MTB festival at Llangollen in September.
Pete had a chat with current British Enduro Champion Bex Baraona about the Gowaan Gals and how the ladies-only festival came about.
Who is Bex Baraona?
Well, that be me! I’m currently travelling the world with my bike and best mate Martha Gill. I’m in my first year of racing bikes for Ibis Cycles Factory Enduro Team and one very lucky gal.
What’s your background in bikes and the cycling industry?
Not a huge background as I only got into enduro about 4 years ago and since then it has completely taken over my life. I have just started my professional career and absolutely blown away with the love and support from my team, Ibis Cycles Factory Enduro Team.
Previous to riding for Ibis, I did 2 full privateer years on the Enduro World Series. It was bloody hard work but so much fun and so rewarding. I wouldn’t have changed it but super grateful for the pro deal I am on now.
Who and what are the Gowaan Gals?
Martha Gill and I set up Gowaan Gals about a year ago purely just as an Instagram page to showcase what we get up to as we travel, race and ride. We were told we are like a double act so we rolled with that and started Gowaan Gals to share our silly personalities, fails & bails and progression sessions. It’s been growing since and we’ve only received positive feedback.
How did the ladies’ only event come about?
We had the idea a while back and initially saw it as something cool to do but also something we weren’t capable of doing ourselves. When we were approached by Get Sneaky Event Services at the start of the year to host an event, well we couldn’t turn down the help and guidance to host our very own event and since then Helen at Get Sneaky has been like our guardian angel.
We wanted to make an event with a chilled atmosphere, where all abilities can come along, feel relaxed and try some new things. We would just love to see other women giving everything a good go and happy to make mistakes if that’s what it takes.
What’s the response been to it?
There has been so much love, lots of people that seem to be gutted that they are not around on the festival dates. Ideally we would have liked to get the event advertised earlier but when you start with a budget of £0 it takes a lot of communicating and organising to get the ball rolling.
We are now in a position to bring the event together and really enjoyed the response, so book on ladies and come shred with us.
How many people make up Gowaan Gals event and what do they do?
Just Me, Martha and Helen at Get Sneaky Event Services.
What can ladies expect from the event?
A super fun weekend which can be as wild or as chilled as you like. Make your own timetable.
- -We have shuttles on the Llangollen DH trails running all weekend, riders can hop on and hop off as they will.
- Pumptrack and airbag will be in the event village all weekend for riders to try something new
- Saturday afternoon dual slalom racing, a chilled and friendly vibe but also a chance to race head to head with mates.
How did you pick the location?
One Giant Leap, Llangollen is just the place we wanted for the event. We wanted somewhere with awesome DH trails and a good flat space to have all the other activities and the camping festival area.
Where next? Any major plans afoot?
I mean after our big f*ck up with a trip to Mongolia (but actually ending up in Malaysia)…our next big plan will probably be to head to Mongolia. Head to our Youtube for the Dropped in Malaysia episodes!
Any long-suffering folk to thank?
Mainly just anyone who puts up with us when we are together… we are quite a handful! Huge thank you to Get Sneaky for all the help and support over the last 6 months. Also all our individual sponsors for always supporting us, Ibis Cycles and Marin Bikes.
The Gowaan Gals Festivals supporters are:
Full event details for the Gowaan Gals MTB Festival, including weekend entries, can be found over on the Gowaan Gals website.
