HISTORY OF THE MUDDBUNNIES
Muddbunnies was founded by Ryan Petersen in 2005, the year she began “north shore” style mountain biking. She searched unsuccessfully for a women’s biking group to join so she created one, the Muddbunnies Riding Club.
Muddbunnies began with four members: Ryan Petersen, Michelle Santos, Syd K, and Jenn Crawford. The clubs name came from Ryan when she and Jen were on their way to ride some favorite Burnaby Mountain trails back in the fall of 2005; Jen was on the phone with her boyfriend who told them that they were crazy for going biking on such a wet and cold day. Ryan laughed and told him that Jen and she were a couple of Muddbunnies.
Muddbunnies began with four members: Ryan Petersen, Michelle Santos, Syd K, and Jenn Crawford. The clubs name came from Ryan when she and Jen were on their way to ride some favorite Burnaby Mountain trails back in the fall of 2005; Jen was on the phone with her boyfriend who told them that they were crazy for going biking on such a wet and cold day. Ryan laughed and told him that Jen and she were a couple of Muddbunnies.
A Yahoo Group was created to allow member to plan rides, introduce themselves and discuss everything biking related. Ryan would literally stop women on the trails and encourage them to join this “great new women’s biking group”, reciting the ridiculously long URL for them to memorize. And those riders remembered the name and soon more women started signing up online and showing up to scheduled rides.
After the first year there were 30 regular riders coming out for local and out-of-town rides. The next step was becoming officially recognized by the provincial cycling association, Cycling BC. To pay for the fees involved with this, member, Syd Kjekell came up with the idea of creating a calendar featuring our very own Muddbunnies. Muddbunnies member and photographer, Danielle Baker took the, “Bunny by the horns” and led the project. During the calendar project, Ryan created the famous bunny skull logo, (local artist, Ron Sombilon assembled the logo and added a 3Dimensional effect).
After the first year there were 30 regular riders coming out for local and out-of-town rides. The next step was becoming officially recognized by the provincial cycling association, Cycling BC. To pay for the fees involved with this, member, Syd Kjekell came up with the idea of creating a calendar featuring our very own Muddbunnies. Muddbunnies member and photographer, Danielle Baker took the, “Bunny by the horns” and led the project. During the calendar project, Ryan created the famous bunny skull logo, (local artist, Ron Sombilon assembled the logo and added a 3Dimensional effect).
|
Muddbunnies was featured in various magazines including: Pedal, Dirt Rag, Mountain Bike UK, Mountain Bike and online articles on Pinkbike.com and NSMB.com. Locally, we got the COVER of the North Shore Outlook and later a two-page article in the Globe and Mail! The BMX/Learn to Ride clinic that had more than 45 participants was featured on Shaw TV. Finally, four club members all wearing their Muddbunnies apparel and biking gear, made an appearance on the hit HBO series, the L Word. Muddbunnies were EVERYWHERE! |
In 2008, Ryan made the decision to step away from the club and focus her efforts on the company and Racing Team. The club was getting much too large for her manage alone so she called the first ever official, “unofficial AGM”. Due to insurance restrictions at the time the club had to be a designated "Not for Profit" and a Board of Directors was elected and announced and included the following: Aimee Dunn, Dorothy Lubke, Tina Yiu, Susan Sheldon, Diana Walker, Nina Parr, Lindsay Cox and Jerusha Millar.
3 months later the Muddbunnies Riding Club was officially incorporated as a Non-Profit Society with a Constitution and By-Laws, and became incorporated under the Society Act. The official name of the club is “Muddbunnies Riding Club (BC)”. The club grew, to a total of 106 members by the end of 2009.
Continuing the Journey: Muddbunnies 2010 - 2023
As Muddbunnies stepped into a new decade, the community's growth and passion for mountain biking continued to flourish. The years following 2009 saw the Muddbunnies not just as a club, but as a symbol of empowerment and adventure on the trails.
2010 - 2016: The Rise of the Muddbunnies Race Team This period marked the establishment of the Muddbunnies Race Team, bringing a competitive edge and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among racing enthusiasts within the club.
2013: The Seattle Chapter Muddbunnies crossed the border into Washington State, with the Seattle chapter bringing that same women-focused riding energy to the Pacific Northwest trails.
2014: Bromont & Florida Chapters The international expansion took off. The Bromont Club Chapter in Quebec extended the Muddbunnies community across Canada, while the Florida chapter brought the spirit to Mt Dora with rides at Santos, Alafia, and Chuck Lennon—proof that Muddbunnies could thrive even without mountains.
2015: Welcoming the Fraser Valley & Bellingham Chapters The Fraser Valley Chapter was introduced, offering new trails and experiences in the lush landscapes east of Vancouver. The Bellingham chapter also launched, creating a PNW corridor of Muddbunnies riders.
2016: Oka, Quebec Chapter Another Quebec chapter joined the family, further expanding the Muddbunnies presence in Eastern Canada.
Dynamic Chapter Landscape Over the years, various chapters have come and gone, reflecting the natural ebb and flow of community interests and leadership. These changes, while sometimes bittersweet, are a testament to the club's adaptability and resilience
.
Trail Work and Advocacy The club's involvement in trail work and advocacy, especially on the North Shore and in the Fraser Valley, has been a crucial part of its identity. Efforts on trails like Pangor, Dales, and Executioner highlight a dedication to sustainable riding practices and community engagement.
As Muddbunnies stepped into a new decade, the community's growth and passion for mountain biking continued to flourish. The years following 2009 saw the Muddbunnies not just as a club, but as a symbol of empowerment and adventure on the trails.
2010 - 2016: The Rise of the Muddbunnies Race Team This period marked the establishment of the Muddbunnies Race Team, bringing a competitive edge and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among racing enthusiasts within the club.
2013: The Seattle Chapter Muddbunnies crossed the border into Washington State, with the Seattle chapter bringing that same women-focused riding energy to the Pacific Northwest trails.
2014: Bromont & Florida Chapters The international expansion took off. The Bromont Club Chapter in Quebec extended the Muddbunnies community across Canada, while the Florida chapter brought the spirit to Mt Dora with rides at Santos, Alafia, and Chuck Lennon—proof that Muddbunnies could thrive even without mountains.
2015: Welcoming the Fraser Valley & Bellingham Chapters The Fraser Valley Chapter was introduced, offering new trails and experiences in the lush landscapes east of Vancouver. The Bellingham chapter also launched, creating a PNW corridor of Muddbunnies riders.
2016: Oka, Quebec Chapter Another Quebec chapter joined the family, further expanding the Muddbunnies presence in Eastern Canada.
Dynamic Chapter Landscape Over the years, various chapters have come and gone, reflecting the natural ebb and flow of community interests and leadership. These changes, while sometimes bittersweet, are a testament to the club's adaptability and resilience
.
Trail Work and Advocacy The club's involvement in trail work and advocacy, especially on the North Shore and in the Fraser Valley, has been a crucial part of its identity. Efforts on trails like Pangor, Dales, and Executioner highlight a dedication to sustainable riding practices and community engagement.
A New Chapter: 2023–2026
In 2023, Muddbunnies and the nonprofit riding club parted ways. The name, the logo, and the spirit stayed with us.
After two years of figuring out what comes next, we found our answer: in 2026, Muddbunnies officially joins the Essential Cycles community. Same trails. Same welcome. Same love for getting people on bikes. Just more support, more resources, and a permanent home base in North Vancouver.
The club's journey—marked by growth, change, and an unwavering love for mountain biking—continues. Each chapter, past and present, each member, and every ride contribute to the Muddbunnies story: a narrative of adventure, community, and the enduring spirit of mountain bikers.
The vibe lives on.
In 2023, Muddbunnies and the nonprofit riding club parted ways. The name, the logo, and the spirit stayed with us.
After two years of figuring out what comes next, we found our answer: in 2026, Muddbunnies officially joins the Essential Cycles community. Same trails. Same welcome. Same love for getting people on bikes. Just more support, more resources, and a permanent home base in North Vancouver.
The club's journey—marked by growth, change, and an unwavering love for mountain biking—continues. Each chapter, past and present, each member, and every ride contribute to the Muddbunnies story: a narrative of adventure, community, and the enduring spirit of mountain bikers.
The vibe lives on.