Last weekend, Dunkeld hosted the Limitlass Festival for the first time with 120 women making the most of the amazing weather.
The sun gods were certainly shining on the inaugural Dunkeld edition of the Limitlass Festival with a sell-out crowd enjoying guided rides, a film night, skills coaching, a panel discussion, live music and more.
Read the full press release below.
Photos by Sadie Aldridge.
The multi-award-winning Limitlass Mountain Bike Festival concluded on Sunday after an incredible, sun-drenched weekend that brought together 120 women in Dunkeld from August 9th to 11th.
Hosted by Katie May, Fiona Finnie, and Anna Riddell, this year’s event fostered a safe, fun, and inclusive atmosphere, as participants from total beginners to seasoned Enduro riders forged connections, built skills, and inspired one another to push beyond their comfort zones.
A Weekend of Sunshine and Good Vibes
Blessed with perfect weather, the sun shone all weekend, amplifying the good vibes and vibrant energy of the festival. Riders were baking in the hot sun during Sunday’s guided rides, with many taking advantage of our guided wild swimming for a refreshing post-ride cool down. This unique focus on wellbeing, alongside mountain biking, is what sets Limitlass apart.
The festival blended the excitement of tackling Dunkeld’s renowned trails with more relaxed activities like wild swimming, sauna sessions, and sports massage, ensuring that the positive energy and good vibes flowed throughout the weekend.
Empowerment Through Female Leadership
The festival highlighted the power of female leadership in the mountain biking community, with 17 female coaches, guides, and mechanics delivering skills coaching, workshops, and guided rides throughout the weekend. Wherever possible, partnering brands also featured female representatives, further reinforcing the festival’s commitment to promoting women in the sport.
Support from Leading Brands
Scottish cycling apparel manufacturer Endura took center stage as the presenting partner for the second year, strengthening their dedication to advancing women’s engagement in mountain biking. Their involvement was marked by an update on the results of their ‘women’s fit survey,’ which was launched at Limitlass in 2023 and is helping to shape the future of Endura’s women-specific cycling kit.
Limitlass also benefited from the generous support of long-time sponsors Hope WMN and Deuter, alongside new sponsors Madison Clothing, Shimano, Vittoria Tyres, Highland Bikes, Crankbrothers, and Deviate, all contributing to the event’s success and helping to create an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Event Highlights
The festival kicked off on Friday evening with a screening of inspiring female-led bike films, accompanied by wood-fired pizza, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the weekend. Saturday began with a guided sunrise swim, followed by a day of coaching sessions led by Scotland’s top female mountain bike coaches. These sessions, held on Dunkeld’s challenging trails, boosted confidence and skills of riders across all levels.
In addition to coaching, a diverse range of workshops provided women with hands-on experience and valuable knowledge, covering topics from suspension setup and gear indexing to tech talks, bunny hopping, and even creative activities like bracelet making. The evening’s entertainment was headlined by the female-led Dundee band, Atomic, who had festival-goers dancing all night long.
The evening also featured a panel discussion with a theme of resilience, with inspiring contributions from Julia Maclean, the first and only female suspension technician on the UCI World Series; Kerry MacPhee, XC athlete and winner of the 2024 HT550; Pip Delamere-Wright, wild swimming coach and Britain’s first ever female commando; and Claire Bennett, Sales and Events Manager for Hope Technology and head of Hope WMN.
Sunday saw the riders exploring some of Dunkeld’s best trails on guided rides. With options ranging from scenic, non-technical routes to challenging, gnarly downhill tracks, there was something for everyone, regardless of skill level. Riders were encouraged and supported by experienced guides and newfound friends, empowering them to step outside their comfort zone and tackle trails they hadn’t imagined possible before the weekend.
After the rides, many took advantage of the guided wild swimming to cool down, while others relaxed in the sunshine, played bike games, or browsed the event expo. The festival wrapped up with a fantastic raffle that raised funds for the Tayside Trail Association and DMBinS’s Scottish MTB Health Fund.
The Spirit of Limitlass
The Limitlass Mountain Bike Festival continues to set the standard for women’s mountain biking events by blending skill development with wellbeing, creating a unique and supportive environment that empowers women in the sport.
