How to Say it Nicely….Get Your Butt on the Bike
By Cheri Felix
I’m kind of famous for funny and slightly inappropriate articles. And I may even be known for standing up to people who even come close to insinuating that women are not welcome in cycling (#sockgate) or that we should just be quiet and just be grateful that we get to ride a bike. But today I’m going a different path; we’re going down the “you can do it” path. Because even though so many of us have no problem riding our bikes I can guarantee you there are twice as many who do.
Not everyone greets the day with a “How do you do Mr. Golden Sun! I cannot wait to get on my bike” thought. It’s easy to think everyone else is like you or me, but it’s not true. There are TONS of people out there who either don’t have a bike or have one but aren’t sure what to do next. I know. It’s hard to believe here in the Republic but trust me, not everyone knows which way to wear a chamois, what to do with embro creme or the difference between a 29er and a 27.5 or a cross bike from a road bike. Trust me. So this is for them. All the ones who want to join the club but who might be intimidated or afraid. Come on in. Pull up a stool, grab a drink and get comfortable.
I’m like the welcome wagon. Welcome to this sport. You are welcome to ask questions, to take a bike maintenance class, to join our ride, to join our club, to join our team, to race for the first time and to ask the same questions over and over again. See, I was once a newbie. I went out on a “mountain bike” ride with seven or eight other women. It wasn’t really a mountain bike ride. It was on a flat farm trail. I distinctly said at the beginning of the ride “I probably won’t like this. I’ll meet you back here at the car. Don’t worry about me.” I don’t think I have to tell you what happened next. But I will. I bought a bike. I loved biking from the minute I tried it. Hard? You bet. Challenging? Of course. Intimidating, scary and ego killing at times? Yep, yep and double yep.
Kirsten Boyer Photography
And that was 1999 and I don’t know how many bikes later, I thank my lucky stars that someone took me out for a ride. Because it changed my life. It brought new people into my life. It made me stronger both physically and mentally. It reminded me to be flexible and to know that I change my mind a lot (“I ONLY ride mountain bikes.” We know how that turned out). It reminded me that women need to be with other women sometimes. It nursed me through two parent’s deaths and it helped peel off (s-l-o-w-l-y) the weight after three babies. And it boosted my confidence. And remember, I thought I wouldn’t like it way back in 1999. Thank goodness no one listens to me.
Listen, if you want to come ride bikes, come on out. Not in great shape? No problem. Have an old bike? Who cares. Not a fan of lycra? No worries. I barely tolerate it. Scared? That’s okay. We’ve all been there and will be there again. Just come out. Just try it. You don’t have to be fast or strong or race or be able to huck off some big ass rock. Just come ride your bike. Some women in the world would die for a bike, for the chance to ride a bike, for the freedom to go where they want.
What are you waiting for? Nothing I hope.
Author’s Note: I often don’t know what people are talking about when they discuss bike components and the mechanics of the bike. I barely know what a peloton is and I look like I’m trying out for lead ballerina when I remount my cross bike. But I don’t care.
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