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News | Komoot Launches Global Women’s Bikepacking Event Series

Including rallies in the Canary Islands, Slovenia and Arizona - komoot have just launched three women's bikepacking events for 2023, as well as a beautiful short film from last year's rally. Here's a sneak peek plus details on how to get involved...

In exciting news for the cycling world, outdoor navigation experts komoot have just unveiled plans to launch three women’s bikepacking events for 2023. The first event is the GranGuanche in January, and will take place across the Canary Islands covering 444 miles and 51,325 ft of elevation.

The komoot women’s rally events began in 2021 in collaboration with endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox as a response to women’s underrepresentation in cycling. After the success of the previous rallies, however, it became clear that the tradition had to continue.

“We’ve hosted three successful rallies,” explains Lael, “two on the Torino Nice Rally in Italy and France, and a third on the Montañas Vacías in Spain. The rallies are some of my favourite weeks of the whole year. It’s incredible to see women gain confidence and support each other along the way.”

For 2023, however, the rallies will take place in Europe, the Canary Islands, Slovenia, and in Tuscan, Arizona. All aiming to empower women and encourage them to get more involved in the bikepacking world, the rally events are limited to 50 participants to foster an intimate feeling of community along the way. They also hope this will ensure that local towns and villages are not overburdened during the events.

World-renowned cyclist Lael Wilcox on the women's rally last year.

Whilst the wider goal is to break down barriers in adventure cycling, share knowledge, and make cycling more accessible, the onus Lael says, is also on having fun.

“Traveling these treasure maps with a group of 50 women for a week becomes an unforgettable experience – it changes our lives,” says Lael. “We have time to share stories and ideas. We help each other through the storms. We make plans for the day and dreams for the future. We celebrate delicious meals, beautiful vistas and pushing our bodies. It’s hard and it’s fun.”

Alongside this announcement, komoot have also released a short film from the previous women’s rallies that has just premiered at Kendal Mountain Festival. Created by talented storyteller Rue Kaladyte, here’s what to expect next year…

If you identify as a woman or have spent most of your life identifying as a woman, the women’s komoot bikepacking rallies are for you. They are free, open to the public, and you can register your interest for the first event here.