CycloFemme

Our CycloFemme Ride

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:54:31 +0000

Our ride was organized by Moxie Cycling Company. A great group of 13 got together in Madison, WI for a 40-mile ride that featured a stop for brunch in a 119-year-old barn in Evansville before riding back to Madison. We rode on both the Capitol City Loop and the Badger State Trail. We had gorgeous weather and the trails were fantastic! The tattoos were a super addition to our ride and we rocked 'em proudly! We all had a great time and look forward to participating in future CycloFemme events!

- Denton Josey

WEEEEEEEEEEE

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:51:29 +0000

On Sunday, 13 May 2012, I took part in an organised leisure ride with hundreds of other cyclists going from Stormont (Northern Ireland's Parliament Buildings) to Newtownards, Bangor and back to Stormont. This was a 22.4 mile (35km) route that was closed to traffic. The special thing about the route was that it was the same as the Olympic women cycling hopefuls had cycled moments earlier as part of the Celtic Chrono. There was an icy headwind that nearly blew us backwards at some stages but it was wonderful to be cycling on a car-free route. I pedaled with a woman I had met only moments before the start. We were both looking for a companion to cycle with and had made arrangements to meet on the day. With the desperate headwind it took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the loop but it felt great. That was the longest distance I had cycled all year and I was delighted with myself. I even cycled to the venue (add another 6 miles!) to avoid the hassle of parking and to do my bit for the planet. Why do I cycle? I have been cycling since I was able to ride my tricycle and have always loved being able to travel on my own – even if it's going to work. I get a buzz from the fresh air and speed of the bike. I'm nearly 50 years old and still feel like saying 'WEEEEEEEEE' when going down a big hill! I also love the way cycling keeps me so fit – it's also a great excuse to eat treats! I have a family history of cancer and I know the importance of exercise so I am fortunate that I enjoy keeping fit. This is also one reason why I try to encourage other women to get out on bikes. My goal this summer is to get a colleague out on her bike just once. My longer term goal is to get her to join our female cycling group! Next year I hope to get a larger group of women organised for Cyclofemme – and definitely get some of those tattoos!

- Jane Fox

I’ve Achieved Something

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:46:14 +0000

My boyfriend is a mad keen cyclist & when I met him I became keen on watching the sport. I wanted to take up cycling for fun but didn't really know where to begin. I've never been a sporty person or keen on excercise. I couldn't find the motivation to get going until last year I signed up for a women only sportive in the UK. Just a shortish distance but further than I could cycle when I started. It was the goal I needed to start training. Since then I've discovered a love of cycling – with friends, with my boyfriend & on my own. I love how I feel when i cycle – like I've achieved something. I love that feeling when you pass another cyclist & say hello, a sense of belonging to a group – even though you don't know them, you're one of them. I love that I don't get stuck in traffic the days I cycle instead of drive to work. I love the social side of a ride to a cafe with a friend. And the cake after you've tackled THAT hill is so much sweeter!

- Ali

I Even Share It With My Dog

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:42:34 +0000

Life Style Became My Life. How did a bike change my life? Many ways. I was always fascinated with the freedom I got from a bicycle. I accidentally taught myself to ride going down a hill when one of my training wheel broke and the other one bent. I was on top of the world at age 4! I my teen years it was where I ran to do deal with teen woes. As a young adult bike vacations were a way of seeing someplace new that was affordable. Riding VA to OR in 2006 taught me that I could accomplish ANYTHING. By this time my son, who had gone on most of those bike vacation with me was grown. I decided it was time to move out west. I loved bikes so much I had picked up jobs in bike shops through the years while working full time as a printer to support my son. I wanted to move out west and live and work in the bike /snow world full time. So that confidence I gain from riding when I was 4 has extended over and over through out my whole life. Oh by the way, I rode the west coast in 2007, completed an Iron distance triathlon 2009, rode CA to FL in 2011. I worked as an Ironman race mechanic for 4 years and Colorado bike shop for 6 years. I am still involved with both and loving it. I will do nearly anything to get people into cycling. I love it so much I even share it with my dog…she rides on my xtracylcle with me

- Taz Brown

Inspiration And Momentum

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:38:02 +0000

Biking has given me the inspiration and momentum to discover new places and conquer challenges both physical and mental.

- Cavan

I Feel Like A World Traveler

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:35:12 +0000

I am a wimpy bike rider, but no less devoted than my mighty long distance gnarly girl friends. When I ride my bike I feel like a world traveler, a racing car driver, a chinese basket merchant, a cafe in my imminent future, an observer of small things in nature, a road less traveled traveler. I've built a basket seat for my 9 year old dog Heidi to ride in when she tires of running. We love the wind in our faces.

- Ginny Newsom

Challenging Gender Barriers

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:31:28 +0000

Bike Riding has a huge influence in my life. My pink & blue retro beach cruiser was built from just a frame found at a garbage dump by my amazing friend Aaron. Aaron & Pedal Power of Middletown, CT Ordered a special flowered seat and oversized bell that said "I love my bike". I use it in the morning to pick up trash along river road, load the trash in the basket and ride it to a trash pile. My specialized Mountain Bike had suspension problems right before my trail triathlon and needed new pedals, Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill, CT took care of me and got me back on the road in two days. Daniel & my Mountain Bike truly taught me how to fall and get back up. Negotiating sharp turns while riding on wet leaves is not easy. Trail riding in New Haven, CT left me with sincere bruises of body and ego. Cycle Concepts of Glastonbury took great care of my road bike for the triathlon at East Hampton's Lake Terramuggus. I was so greatful for the lighter and faster tires. As an adventurous outdoors person biking has allowed me to cross train and to enjoy the outdoors in so many ways. I have been riding in Afghanistan for almost 7 months now and have felt freer than flying over it at times on my bike. The Afghans love when I ride by; ring my bike bell and wave to them. God truly blessed me with the ability to have a bike here as it was gifted to me. I am so happy to be supporting this Amazing cause here in Afghanistan. Sarai and Shannon are inspirational to me and have provided great support for my ability to sponsor a team here. Thank you both very much. I look forward to uniting with you on Sunday May 13th in the hopes of challenging gender barriers not just in Afghanistan but all over the world. I pray wholeheartedly for peace and to be the (a)change I want to see in the world. Namaste Jerusha

- Jerusha

My Bike Has Been My Friend

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:26:11 +0000

During some of the most intense times of my life, my bike has been my friend. I can get on my bike and forget about everything.

- Kimberly

The Bike Makes Me Happy

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:23:12 +0000

Simply put the bike makes me happy. No matter what type of bike riding I do I always feel accomplished and great afterwards. I started off riding road and now I'm getting more into mountain xc, skate parks and pump tracks, which is a bigger challenge than road but equally rewarding. With a group or by myself riding the bike always turns my day into a good one.

- Suzie

A Way For Me To Challenge Gender Stereotypes

Sarai — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:20:07 +0000

The bike represents freedom at its most basic. I became the first woman to mountain bike in Afghanistan in 2009, a country where its not acceptable for women to ride bikes. The bike represented a way for me to challenge gender stereotypes in a country repeatedly ranked the worst place in the world to be a woman, and known for its continued oppression. I rode again in 2010 across the Panjshir province in the Afghan mountains with two things in my backpack; a locket with my young daughter's photo and a silver barrette I was given by a woman in an Afghan prison.

- Shannon Galpin @sgalpin