Wente Mountain Bike Getaway Presented by Trail Head Cyclery | October 2–4, 2026 | Willits, CA
There is something about fall in Northern California that makes you want to pack your bike, grab your favorite people and get away.
The mornings are crisp, the trails are calling, and the forests are beautiful. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from the everyday routine and spend a few days outside.
That is exactly what the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway, presented by Trail Head Cyclery, is all about.
Returning October 2–4, 2026 for its third year, the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway brings riders together for an all-inclusive weekend of mountain biking, outdoor adventure, community and connection.
For women who love mountain biking, are looking for a supportive place to ride, or simply want to experience something new, this is one fall weekend worth putting on the calendar.
Perhaps the best part? All the meals are prepared and cleaned up! Nobody has to plan the food because a professional chef is creating amazing meals all three days.
The tent platforms are already set up! Just bring a comfortable cot, mattress or inflatable bed and any camp chairs, games, led lights and of course your sleeping bag.
This Is a Mountain Bike Getaway, Not Just a Destination
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway is centered around mountain biking with an amazing fleet of included demo bikes, and that distinction matters, however there are loads of other activities to enjoy!
While the weekend offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the 20+ miles of singletracks weaving throughout the property, there are other outdoor activities on the menu. For scheduled sessions, you will have the opportunity to experience the archery range, the rifle range and even a shooting clay range with real shotguns! Everything is provided by the Scouts of America and led by trained, certified coaches helping everyone hone in some skills! For many, this is the first time ever handling a real bow or gun and that is what these certified coaches are best at. Teaching safe handling and use!
The waterfront has row boats, canoes and sailboats to explore the lake on. There are big mouth bass and blue gill fish teaming in the lake as well and there is even a professional fly fisherman there providing instructions and gear. Visit the horses at the stable and meet the resident ranger, Dakota for a tour of the barn!
Mountain Bike Skills courses will be available at the pump track too! Yes! There is a pump track and longtime skills coach Lars Thomsen will be there to help everyone elevate their skills to a new level. Beginners to experts, there is so much to learn when somebody else is watching and coaching!
The reason to come is simple: ride your bike, explore, enjoy some classic scout activities, connect with other riders and get away.
This isn’t a race weekend. You don’t have to chase a podium, compete for the fastest time or prove how strong you are on the bike. The goal is to create a weekend where you can enjoy mountain biking at your own pace while being part of a larger riding community.
You can come with your partner, bring your friends, bring your family or arrive on your own. Whether you’re an experienced rider or someone who is still building confidence on a mountain bike, the getaway is designed to give you an opportunity to ride, explore and enjoy the experience.
Presented by Trail Head Cyclery
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway is presented by Trail Head Cyclery, bringing a strong mountain bike community focus to the weekend. They fell in love with the mountain bike program being offered to the youth of this amazing scout reservation and this event helps the program grow and evolve.
The event is about more than simply providing a place to ride. It is about creating an experience that brings riders together, introduces people to new bikes and trails, encourages participation and gives people a reason to spend an entire weekend immersed in mountain biking.
For women especially, that community can make a difference.
Sometimes getting more women on bikes starts with something as simple as creating the right opportunity. A beautiful setting, a welcoming group, a dedicated women’s ride and the chance to try something new can give someone the confidence to take that first step.
Why Women Should Put Wente on the Calendar
At MTB Girls, we talk a lot about getting more women on bikes.
But getting more women riding doesn’t necessarily mean convincing everyone to become a racer. Sometimes it starts with a weekend like this, where women can experience mountain biking in a welcoming environment without feeling like they have anything to prove.
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway provides a beautiful setting, a supportive riding community, a dedicated women’s ride and opportunities to try different bikes and explore new trails. Be sure to ride the favorite “Best Day So Far” or do some laps on “Skunk Train,” the flow trail right next to camping and headquarters.
It gives women a chance to simply ride.
Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker or someone who is still figuring out what kind of riding you enjoy, there is room for you. This is a scout reservation, and many of the trails are made for new riders. Other trails are more advanced and if you were a scout at the program, and you earned your badge for riding more advanced trails, then you get access to the hidden map! There are hidden trails like “Valcore” and the favorite, “More Cowbell” that really get spicy! Anybody got a fever? We know the cure!
The Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride
One of the featured experiences of the 2026 getaway is the Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride.
The women-specific ride gives women an opportunity to ride together and explore a dedicated route created specifically for the Mountain Bike Getaway and led by experienced women who ride!.
The name itself helps distinguish the ride from the well-known Wente eight-hour race course. Hidden Gems of Wente is its own experience and gives participants another way to explore the property during the weekend.
For newer riders, riding with other women can create a comfortable environment to learn, ask questions and build confidence.
For experienced riders, it is an opportunity to meet other women, explore the property and enjoy a great ride together.
And for anyone who has been saying, “I really want to try mountain biking,” it can be the perfect invitation.
Saturday Ride Schedule
The Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride takes place Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm
The Hidden Gems of Wente Group Ride takes place Saturday from 2 to 4 pm
The afternoon group ride will be divided into two groups, with separate rides for analog bikes and e-bikes. E-bike riders are welcome at the getaway, and separating the groups allows riders to enjoy a more comfortable pace while keeping the experience enjoyable for everyone.
Of course anybody can create their own adventures, riding whenever and wherever the trails lead them… All the trails lead back to the lake and headquarters, so get out there and explore!
You Don’t Have to Be a Family to Go
While families are absolutely welcome, the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway isn’t a family-only event.
That’s important because the weekend is also designed for women riding together, couples looking for a mountain bike escape, friends planning a weekend away and solo riders who want to meet other people who love bikes.
You don’t have to bring children, a partner or an entire riding crew. You can come on your own and still feel like you belong.
That broader invitation is part of what makes the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway different. Come as you are, ride at your own level and create the weekend that works best for you.
Bring Your Riding Friends
Sometimes your riding friend group simply needs an excuse to get away.
Instead of another quick Saturday ride, turn it into a weekend. Load up the bikes, invite your friends, explore somewhere new and spend time riding together.
You can try different bikes, explore new trails and spend the evening talking about everything that happened during the day.
The best mountain bike weekends aren’t always about how many miles you ride. They are about who you ride with and the memories you create along the way.
Bring Your Partner
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway can also make a great weekend for couples.
You don’t have to have the same riding ability or spend the entire day riding together. One person can head out for a ride while the other explores the property or enjoys another outdoor activity, and then you can reconnect afterward.
You can ride together, try a demo bike, spend time by the lake, explore the property and share stories from the trail.
A getaway gives both people room to enjoy their own interests while still experiencing the weekend together.
Bring the Family
Families welcome! The beauty of a destination like Wente is that mountain biking doesn’t have to be the only activity. While one person is riding, another can spend time by the lake, explore the property, fish, hike or participate in another outdoor activity.
Kids can have their own adventures while parents enjoy their time on the bike. Everyone can come back together throughout the day.
That means you don’t have to build the entire weekend around one person’s riding schedule. Instead, everyone gets an opportunity to create an adventure of their own.
A Great Place to Introduce Someone to Mountain Biking
Maybe there is a woman in your life who has always wanted to try mountain biking. It could be your daughter, your partner, your sister, your mom or your friend. It could even be you.
She doesn’t need to be an athlete, know how to ride technical trails or own the most expensive bike. She simply needs an opportunity to get on a bike and experience what mountain biking feels like in a supportive environment.
Mountain biking is a skill sport, and confidence comes from experience. It doesn’t come from forcing yourself to ride something that scares you.
The goal is to have fun exploring the Wente mountain bike trails that most people typically never get to ride in a chill, supportive environment.
Women Riding Together
If you’re bringing someone who is newer to mountain biking, don’t automatically put her at the back of a group of experienced riders and expect her to keep up.
Give her room to learn and ride at her pace. Stop when she needs to stop and celebrate the sections she rides successfully. If she wants to walk something technical, let her walk it. If she wants to try again, encourage her.
The fastest way to discourage a new rider is to make her feel like she’s holding everyone else back. The fastest way to build confidence is to make her feel like she belongs.
That’s one of the reasons a dedicated women’s ride can be so powerful.
Try a Different Mountain Bike
Another highlight of the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway is the opportunity to experience different bikes.
Ibis, Specialized and Transition will have demo bike fleets available, giving riders the chance to try a different mountain bike without having to bring another bike from home.
For an experienced rider, this can be an opportunity to test a bike you’ve been curious about. For a newer rider, it can be a chance to experience what a quality, properly fitted mountain bike feels like.
There will also be youth bikes available through the mountain bike program, giving younger riders an opportunity to participate. Trail Head Cyclery just built a fleet of Specialized Rockhoppers in sizes ranging from XS up to XL, so all riders can find the right size!
For anyone who loves bikes, getting to try something different is part of the fun.
More Than the Ride
Mountain biking may be the reason you come to Wente, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing you do.
The surrounding property provides opportunities to enjoy the outdoors away from the bike as well. You can spend time by the lake, go fishing, explore, hike or take part in another outdoor activity.
That flexibility is especially valuable for groups because not everyone has to ride the same trail or follow the same schedule.
You can spend part of the day together and part of the day pursuing your own interests, then reconnect over a meal or at the end of the day.
Friday: Arrive and Unplug
The weekend begins with an opportunity to slow down.
Arrive Friday as early as 2 PM, get settled, prepare your bike and explore the property. Take a walk, meet other riders and enjoy the surroundings.
There is no reason to overplan the first evening. The whole point is to get away from your normal routine and give yourself time to settle into the weekend. Of course, you’ll be tempted to get a ride in and that is always on the menu at Wente.
Once you’ve arrived, take a breath and enjoy being somewhere different.
Saturday: Ride, Explore and Connect
Saturday is when the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway really comes alive.
Start with the Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride or choose another activity. Later, join the afternoon Hidden Gems of Wente Group Ride, with separate analog and e-bike groups.
You can try a demo bike, explore the trails, spend time with friends, take the kids on an adventure, relax by the lake or simply enjoy being outside.
The schedule gives you opportunities to ride without forcing you into one specific version of the weekend.
Saturday Night: Make It Memorable
After a full day outside, slow down and enjoy the evening.
Talk about the ride, share stories, laugh about the moments that didn’t go according to plan and meet someone new. Then after dessert, if you’re up to some night riding there will be some night laps on Skunk Train!
These are the moments that turn a mountain bike event into a mountain bike getaway.
Years from now, you may not remember exactly how many miles you rode, but you will remember who you were with and what it felt like to spend an entire weekend together outside.
Event Shirts Are Back
Participants will also receive Wente Mountain Bike Getaway event shirts.
While a shirt isn’t likely to be the reason someone registers, it becomes a reminder of the weekend once the bikes are packed away. It is something you can wear again, something that connects you to the event and something that helps build the sense of community that makes a destination riding weekend special.
A Weekend to Disconnect and Ride
There is a reason destination mountain bike weekends have such appeal.
Life is busy. Work is busy. Families are busy, and schedules fill up quickly.
A weekend away creates space to ride, explore, spend time with people and discover something new.
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway gives you permission to step away from the normal schedule for a few days and make the bike the center of the weekend.
You don’t have to fill every hour with activities. You simply have to give yourself the opportunity to be outside and enjoy the experience.
Sunday: One More Ride
Before heading home, get one more ride in if you’re feeling up for it.
It doesn’t have to be your biggest ride of the weekend. It could be a short adventure, another group ride or simply some time on the bike before packing up.
You might even decide that the best way to end the weekend is to slow down and enjoy your last few hours outside.
There is no right answer.
The goal is to leave feeling like you actually got away and, hopefully, already thinking about the next one.
What to Bring
If you’re planning to ride, pack your mountain bike, helmet, gloves, hydration, riding clothes and closed-toe shoes. A spare tube and flat-repair supplies, basic bike tools, pump, eye protection and trail snacks are also great to have. There will be technical support for your bike, but be sure it’s tuned up before heading there.
For the weekend, bring your sleeping pad/bed, sleeping bag or blankets, pillows, warm layers for cool fall evenings, comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, toiletries, a headlamp or flashlight and whatever you need to make your stay comfortable.
There is no power at the tents, but plenty of it at the headquarters nearby where you’ll find an eMTB charging station. Power banks and a good flashlight will be great to have. While we are trying to unplug, there is cell reception around camp.
If you’re bringing children, make sure they have appropriate riding gear and clothing for changing weather.
And don’t forget your camera because you’ll want to remember the weekend.
More Women on Bikes Starts With an Invitation
At MTB Girls, we believe getting more women on bikes starts with creating experiences where women feel welcome.
They shouldn’t feel pressured, judged or as though they have something to prove. They should have the opportunity to learn, explore, ride with other women and discover what they enjoy about mountain biking.
The Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride is one part of that experience, but the larger opportunity is giving women a chance to experience mountain biking in a way that feels fun, accessible and social.
Bring the woman who already rides. Bring the woman who wants to learn. Bring your daughter, partner or friend. Or come on your own.
Let her try a different bike, explore at her own pace and discover what she loves about mountain biking.
That is how confidence grows. That is how friendships form. And that is how more women become mountain bikers.
Your Fall Mountain Bike Getaway Is Waiting
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway, presented by Trail Head Cyclery, takes place October 2–4, 2026, offering an opportunity to spend an entire weekend doing what many of us wish we had more time to do: ride, explore, connect and enjoy being outside.
Whether you come with your family, your partner, your riding crew or by yourself, there is room for you at Wente.
For women, the dedicated Hidden Gems of Wente Women’s Ride offers a chance to ride together and experience a different side of the property. For couples, it’s an excuse to get away together. For friends, it’s a weekend adventure. For families, it’s a chance for everyone to create their own outdoor experience. And for solo riders, it’s an invitation to show up and become part of the community.
You don’t have to be the fastest rider, ride every trail or prove anything to anyone. You simply have to come ready for a weekend of mountain biking, outdoor adventure and connection.
The Wente Mountain Bike Getaway is an opportunity to ride somewhere new, try something different, meet other riders and make a weekend of it.
Plan Your Wente Mountain Bike Getaway
Learn more about the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway presented by Trail Head Cyclery and start planning your fall riding adventure.
October 2–4, 2026
SAVE 15% — ENTER COUPON CODE: MTBGIRLS15
Register for the Wente Mountain Bike Getaway
