Why mixed groups make speaking up harder

In mixed-gender groups, the pressure to blend in often increases. Boys tend to feel comfortable speaking up quickly and taking the floor in group settings. Girls may respond by shrinking their voices, especially if they are one of only a few, or the only one. When a girl is the only one struggling with pace, fear, or fatigue, she’s more likely to assume the problem is her, rather than the environment. The cost is that she pushes past her boundaries to keep up. Over time, confidence declines, risk increases, and she becomes less likely to keep coming back.

This is why creating spaces where every rider feels heard matters. It doesn’t just affect performance. It affects retention, safety, and whether a girl continues to see herself as someone who belongs in the sport.

How this dynamic shows up on the trail

• Riding above her fitness level because she doesn’t want to “slow the group down.”
• Staying quiet when she needs a rest or a drink stop because no one else is stopping.
• Following someone else’s line down a rocky descent, even when it’s trickier than what she’s comfortable with.
• In a race scenario, holding back from calling to pass a slower rider, not because she lacks the skill or power to overtake, but because she isn’t confident about speaking up in the moment.

When girls push through discomfort without voice, they learn the wrong lesson. They learn that silence keeps the peace, that needs are burdens, and that their body should tolerate what doesn’t feel right. As coaches, we can help rewrite that narrative.

How coaches shift the culture

Culture changes through small, consistent actions.

• Ask every rider directly – Invite each rider to weigh in, especially those who tend to hang back.
• Normalize a range of speeds – Make it explicit that choosing a slower pace is good judgment, not a lack of ability.
• Name boundary-setting as a skill – “Telling me what you need is smart riding.”
• Coordinate with your sweep – How ride group leaders communicate with their sweep is key. A quick cue like “Hey, can you check in with Maya every time we stop?” This helps quieter riders get support without feeling singled out. Sweeps often have the best view of who is struggling silently.
• Model consent language – Use phrasing that reinforces autonomy: “Do you want to try that again or not today? You get to decide.”
• Model setting boundaries – Show riders what it looks like by doing it yourself. For example: “I’m going to pause here for a moment because that last climb pushed me harder than I expected. I need a little reset before we roll on.” When coaches set boundaries openly, riders learn that listening to their body is normal and respected.

The bigger picture: raising riders who trust themselves

Helping girls voice their needs on the trail isn’t just about better coaching. It’s long-term youth development. A girl who learns to make her voice heard during practice is building a skill she’ll carry throughout her life. She’s learning that her perspective matters, that her voice belongs in the room, and that advocating for herself is a strength.

This is confidence in its most essential form: trusting her own signals and believing they deserve to be heard.