Janet Voight became one of the Drty Grlz last summer.

All it took to join was a little sweat and an interest in the sport of mountain biking.

Voight, who turns 60 on Sunday,

admits that initially she was skeptical about mountain biking. After 40 years as a dedicated jogger, she just didn't think biking looked that exerting. She laughs that her initial expectations were quickly smashed.

"I just thought you're sitting on a seat, you're not getting any exercise," she said. "But I was amazed how much more exercise I get with biking."

The Drty Grlz mountain biking club formed during the summer of 2007 following a community education class taught by longtime mountain biker Lisa Gustin.

Gustin taught the class each spring and noticed that her pupils wanted more opportunities to ride together. "All the ladies wanted to explore the different trails of the Hills. I just started meeting them every Monday," she said.

The group quickly grew. Gustin said from 20 to 25 women consistently rode each Monday this summer and last summer. "It's amazing how everyone is dedicated to riding," she said.

Longtime mountain biker Cathy Matthesen is one of those women.

Over the years, Matthesen didn't have many opportunities to ride with other women. So she was particularly excited about the Drty Grlz

"Mountain biking can be a very testosterone-fueled sport … but there's another side to the sport," she said. "It's a great girls' night out where you get your girl time, but you're also learning a great sport."

Members of the Drty Grlz group, which is part of the Black Hills Mountain Bike Association, range in age from 15 to 60. Most of the riders are newcomers to the sport.

Gustin wants women to know that the Drty Grlz is open to all, regardless of experience. She helps newcomers to the sport, as do other Drty Grlz.

"Everybody's very supportive and encouraging," she said. "I think mountain biking is a little bit scary for people, so it's nice to have somebody around (to ride with)."

Though she still gets in the occasional jog, since becoming one of the Drty Grlz, Voight considers mountain biking her main form of exercise. She rides a couple of hours three times a week, and loves most everything about it. Even getting a little lost isn't that bad. It just means a little longer ride in a beautiful environment, she said.

"It's just a good workout and it's gorgeous," she said. "Especially on fall days, it's really nice."

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com.