The OWCC was founded in 2021 by Jennifer Stephenson and Vicki Thomas.
The OWCC is a not-for-profit incorporated, volunteer-run club affiliated with the Ontario Cycling Association.
Jen and Vicki were united by a common mission of creating a cycling club that puts women and people who identify as women first. A club that understands the unique needs of women and the challenges that come with getting out for a Saturday ride with friends or learning how to draft and ride in a group.
Ottawa Women’s Cycling Club Mission Statement
The purpose of the Ottawa Women’s Cycling Club is to bring women together for rides and events, to train and even race together, even if you are affiliated with another club/team.
The OWCC is an inclusive cycling club.
We welcome all women or people who identify as women to join. We cover a broad range of ages, skills, abilities, experience, and interests. We offer support to people with visible and invisible disabilities.
Please note, the OWCC has access to coaches and riders experienced with people with disabilities and is happy to support the community. However, the club does not currently offer para or adapted cycling programs.
We know that there has been an increase in cycling participation, especially by women. Many of these women are looking for a starting point. If that starting point is not the right fit, potential lifelong cyclists may be turned away from this beautiful sport and way of life, really.
We also know that long time women cyclists often don’t fit in with traditional cycling clubs. We propose to provide a club for these cycling warriors, to ride together, mentor the next generation and seek out new adventures.
Many of our members are also members of other clubs, for example Jen is a member of 9 to 5, Gravel Guys, and Common Empire and Vicki is a member of The Cyclery Team.
About Jen Stephenson
Jen has been riding since 1991 when she got her first mountain bike and started racing. Since then, Jen turned into a roadie and raced road and cyclocross. Cycling changed Jen’s life and continues to make life better. Three kids and 30 years later, cycling is still Jen’s passion. Now Jen loves getting out more than ever and has been converted to gravel, which brings her back to the days of exploring new roads and having fun in the woods.
About Vicki Thomas
Vicki has been involved in the local Ottawa cycling community since 1994. She started with the OBC Women’s Time Trial series and this lead to criterium, road, and cyclocross racing. Now, Vicki rides for pure pleasure (with the odd cyclocross race thrown in) and is happiest when out exploring on her road, mountain, or fat bike. Her favourite cycling discipline is cyclocross – but really any bike ride is a good ride and any day is made better when spent on two wheels.
Questions? Feedback? Email Jen or Email Vicki
Quick Facts about the OWCC
- Launched in 2021
- 92 members in 2021!
- Diverse group of women with a range of cycling experience and interest
- Private Facebook group for chatting, connecting, and communicating
- CycleClub App for organized group rides, route sharing, club announcements, and chatting about rides
- OWCC kit, logo, and branding designed by Andrea Emery
- Instagram account is Ottawawomenscyclingclub
- OWCC Strava club for members
- Organized road and gravel rides thanks to our volunteer ride leaders
- Group riding and bike handling clinics for riders
Questions? Feedback? Email Jen or Email Vicki
Ottawa Women's Cycling Club 