Women don’t want to ride downhill, right? Wrong, according to downhiller Sarah Muir, whose Diva Descent event at Hamsterley Forest has been over-subscribed, filling up well ahead of expectations.

Hosted by the Forestry Commission, the Diva Descent on August 18 and 19 aims to blaze a trail for more women to have a go at downhilling and test their new skills under real race conditions.

While the focus will be on downhilling, female coaches including UK downhill legend Helen Gaskell will be there to teach more general riding skills too, so that even beginners are guided up to the skill level for their first race.

The Descent Diva herself, Sarah Muir is a part-time hairdresser from Darlington, who now lives in Aberdeenshire and has just completed a management degree at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

She said: “We have seen a pick-up in the number of women mountain biking which is great news and Hamsterley Forest has been at the forefront of breaking down barriers so it’s a perfect venue for this competition.

“Making it a female only race is about creating a less intimidating atmosphere and encouraging girls to step up to the mark.

“We’ll also have expert coaches on hand.  It seems to have worked because we have been oversubscribed with bikers coming from as far afield as southern England and northern Scotland.”

As the emphasis is on coaching, places have been limited to 46, still an impressive turn-out for a British downhill race, and twice the numbers of last year’s inaugural event in Perth, Scotland. Last weekend’s fourth round of the Halo British Downhill Series at Caersws, for example, had just eight female starters but over 200 men.

The race weekend at the Descend Hamsterley facility starts with practice sessions on Saturday with racing the following day. Spectators are welcome.

See the Diva Descent website for more information.