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VOICES UNLOCKED

Session 1: Women's Voices in MTB Media

Voices Unlocked

We're here to amplify diverse perspectives and experiences within mountain biking, cycling and the outdoors so that we can help open up these spaces to everyone. The more we see and hear people like yourself, the more likely they will want to join in the fun. It makes for richer, more engaging and more representative content for everyone.

Session 1: Women's Voices in MTB Media

We invite you to be the change you want to see and hear in mountain bike media content. By bringing together three talented, passionate women who work in the MTB media, you can hear first hand what it takes to get a story idea into print or online. 

In this free pilot session, our expert female MTB media panel are here online to encourage women to not just share their stories with the mainstream MTB media, but have them picked up by blog aficionados and busy news desk editors.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or someone with a knack for telling a good story among friends, or just someone with an idea simmering away that you are unsure about sharing with the world - in our lighthearted 60 minute masterclass we’ll uncover: 

  • what you need to know about how the MTB media works
  • what makes a good ‘story’
  • writing a solid 'pitch'
  • 'how' to pitch your story
  • some of the do’s and don'ts of storytelling for the MTB press

MTB magazines and websites need good stories. Much of the current content is generated by men. Women are less likely than men to come forward and pitch story ideas. Whilst women’s voices are not as well represented in the media, their voices are not being fully heard and we want to change this. 

Today’s panel session is a small albeit important step towards creating a space within MTB media where men and women with the same passion for bikes and adventure can be heard equally. 

The Event

Date: Tuesday 22 June, 7:30 - 8:30pm (GMT) 

Host: Aneela McKenna

Guest Media Panel: 

  • Aoife Glass
  • Hannah Dobson
  • Jessica Strange

Panelist Bios

Aoife Glass

Aoife is a freelance journalist and podcaster, writing for numerous cycling titles including BikePerfect, Cycling Plus, Red Bull, Trek UK and others. She was formerly the women’s editor of BikeRadar, and before that Deputy Editor of Total Women’s Cycling. And before that, she was a professional science communicator at the Natural History Museum, London. She has experience writing pitches, writing to brief, and commissioning work, so has seen both sides of the coin. 

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Hannah Dobson

Hannah came to Singletrack magazine having decided there must be more to life than meetings. Having worked in policy and project management roles at the Scottish Parliament and in local government, Hannah had organisational skills that SIngletrack needed. She also likes bikes, and likes to write. Having started out as Editorial Assistant, she's soon going to be stepping up into the role of Managing Editor.

Hannah likes what bikes do. She thinks that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. She writes about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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Jessica Strange

As a keen rider and outdoor enthusiast, Jessica set out on a mission to help grow women's participation in mountain biking through her blog, Velo Me. Some 6-years down the line, Jessica has worked on publications such as Total Women's Cycling, Dirt Mountain Bike and GMBN before stepping into her most recent role as the editor of Off-Road.cc.

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Aneela McKenna

Aneela is founder of Mòr Diversity, a diversity, inclusion and wellbeing consultancy business. She launched Mòr Diversity in 2020, after identifying a need in the cycling and outdoors sector to adapt to new ways of thinking and to reap the rewards from having a fully inclusive approach to business. She’s a professional mountain bike coach and guide; mentor and cycling entrepreneur co-partnering award winning cycle tour operator Go-Where Scotland since 2008. With over ten years’ experience working in the cycling sector and over 20 years as a diversity, inclusion and wellbeing professional, Aneela’s uniquely placed to provide a diverse range of professional services within the world of cycling and the outdoors.

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