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About trail angels

Who we are

CLUB INFO

Trail Angels began with just 6 ladies, who met once a week in 2012 and has grown into South Africa’s largest women-only MTB club, based in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.

The club is an energetic group of like-minded women, who love to mountain bike.
We offer 5 riding groups based on fitness and skill levels – from those who are new to the sport and need a helping hand to get started, to those who need some encouragement and inspiration to ladies who want to compete in events. Everyone finds their group.

Our members have tried out various products, giving us great insight into what women really want and need from their cycling apparel, sunscreen, chafe cream, accessories and hydration products.

We only sell brands which we have tried and tested and love using ourselves.

Please familiarise yourself with our standard Indemnity.

GET STARTED

We offer 6 riding groups

Each group has 2 rides per week which they can attend. Groups vary according to fitness and skill levels. 

Newbie Riding Group

You’re brand new to mountain biking and you have limited fitness and skill. You can ride 15-20km of non-technical trails. Monday 8am, Friday 8am

Slookie & Rookie Riding Groups

You’ve been riding for longer than 1 year. You can ride 20-30km of blue/green trails.
Monday 8am, Friday 8am

Intermediate 1 Riding Group

You’ve been riding for longer than 2 years. You can ride 30-40km of blue/green trails.
Tuesday 8am, Friday 8am

Intermediate 2 Riding Group

You’ve been riding for longer than 3 years. You can ride more than 50km of green/blue/red trails at an average pace of +/- 12km/hr
Tuesday 8am, Friday 8am

Intermediate 3 Riding Group

You’ve been riding for longer than 3 years. You can ride more than 50km of green/blue/red and black trails at an average pace of +/- 15km/hr
Tuesday 8am, Friday 8am

Road Biking Group

You love road riding and can ride 40 km at a minimum pace of 20km/h on a road bike. Two rides a week 6-8 am

Our Coaches

Team of Experts

NIKKI HAYWOOD

Founder
Coach

I am the founder and owner of Trail Angels and am very involved with all the riding groups on a day to day basis. I have been riding since my days as a Stellenbosch University student, where it was a means of transport. In 2006 I entered the Absa Cape Epic as a rookie rider and my passion for mountain biking began.

I have since gone on to complete four Cape Epics, four Wines2Whales, three Sani2C, the Imana Wild Ride and have cycled 2000km across South Africa with a friend for three weeks through the bush, unsupported.

I have a Human Movement Science degree and have been teaching Pilates for the last 17 years. I have recently qualified as a BICP certified level 1 skills instructor.

Our PROFESSIONAL coaches

EVIE MCLACHLAN
instructor
VIV SCHULZE
instructor
CAROLINE ELLEKE
instructor
LENA RONGE
instructor
ROCHELLE MEYER
instructor
SALLY DEAN
instructor
CARO KROG
instructor

About EVIE MCLACHLAN

I coach the Rookies and Intermediate 1s groups.

Mom, wife, entrepreneur and most enthusiastic cyclist.

Five years ago I felt like I had been handed a death sentence when I was told my running days were over as I had severe osteoarthritis in my right knee. A good friend suggested that I join the Trail Angels and take up mountain biking – thought it was madness that this Princess would ever be on a mountain bike!

Under Lisa’s guidance and the support of the amazing trail angels my riding started to improve, as did the balance and fitness.
I was hooked. Fast forward five years later … cycling has become my passion, my escape and my sanity.

The friendships formed with like-minded women are friendships formed for life.
My husband is also an avid mountain biker and nothing beats a weekend away with our bikes and lycra. I have completed three Wines2Whales, two Sani2C, Dr Evil, Zuurberg Trek and many more social stage rides.
I have recently qualified as a BICP certified level 1 skills instructor.

About Viv Schulze

I love being a Trail Angel coach.
One of my core values is empowering women to feel more confident on and off the bike. I use my physiotherapy knowledge and passion for movement analysis when teaching fundamental bike skills.
I strive to create an environment where women can experience ‘safety in me’ instead of ‘danger in me’ signals when feeling balance, stability and control when cycling. We then can convert fear to FUN.
I have recently qualified as a BICP certified level 1 skills instructor.

About Caroline Elleke

I have cycled since childhood and I love to share my incredible passion for cycling of all kinds. Once you gain confidence, it is amazing what riding does for your soul.
Trail Angels is the best women’s MTB club without a doubt, as it caters for all ages, skills and fitness levels and gives you a great sense of belonging.
I am also a qualified BICP certified level 1 skills instructor.

About Lena Ronge

I started mountain biking in 2018 and instantly fell in love with the sport. I am passionate about the health benefits of mountain biking and its positive impact on mental wellbeing. Starting out as a nervous and anxious rider, I invested in improving my skills, and it has improved my confidence in every aspect of my life. 

I am passionate about empowering girls and women to be brave and overcome their fears. I now love technical riding, and I have competed in several XCO races and completed a few multi-stage races, including Dr. Evil, Wines2Whales, and Tankwa Trek. 

My goal is to help girls and women overcome their fears, be brave and confident.
As an accredited PMBIA MTB coach, my aim is to help others achieve their own goals and become the best riders they can be.

About Rochelle meyer

Mountain biking has been so much more than just a sport for me—it has been a teacher, showing me what I am truly capable of and how to navigate real-life situations with confidence.

Starting this sport later in life has given me a unique perspective which I bring to my coaching practice. Whether my clients are just starting out or seeking to level up their technical riding, I understand the challenges they face and can guide them towards their goals.

I am a PMBIA level 1 instructor, and have also completed specialised training in the PMBIA kids module.I am dedicated to helping others discover the same joy, empowerment, and sense of community that I have found through mountain biking. Let’s hit the trails together and unlock your full potential on the

About Sally Deane

I’m a mom of two boys. I have been mountain biking since 2010. In 2020 I joined the Trail Angels where I found a network of encouraging and supportive women. I have since completed my PMBIA coaching level 1 qualification. I love helping women become more confident and comfortable on their bikes.

 

About CARO KROG

Joining Trail Angels, has added such richness to my life over the last six years.

The friends I have made, a revived sense of adventure, self belief & fun, have given me a completely new outlook on life.

I have also been pushed out of my comfort zone more times than I care to remember!

This new lease on life may have remained undiscovered, had I not joined this amazing tribe of dynamic women.

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