About Us

Rooted is an all skill level women’s mountain bike festival. This event was created because nothing like it exists within a ten hour (or more?!) radius of western New York. Festival creator, Heather Kinal, wanted a place to learn new skills and ride with other women and decided to create what couldn’t be found locally. She wanted to build an event that other women would want to travel hours to participate and we were so stoked last year to have women join us from 15 different states and Canada! 

Rooted is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit.

Non-Profit Mission Statement - Rooted is a safe and welcoming community, empowering women and genderqueer femme folks (WTFNB) in nature through education, encouragement, and cultivating an open-minded perspective while supporting local outdoor resources and regional recreation spaces.

Festival Mission Statement - Rooted Mountain Bike Festival is a women-centric community striving to destigmatize mountain bike culture and empower anyone who identifies as a woman or genderqueer femme (WTFNB) of all body types and abilities.

Values

Safety - of the body, mind, and soul

Love - for self, for others, and for the space we occupy

Welcoming - of everyone who wants to be in the space

Open-Mindedness - to try new things, to meet new people, and to exit your comfort zone

Community - centering and sustaining the Rooted community, our local communities, and the international riding community