May is National Bike Month and with that comes numerous cycling related
events including bike to work week/day and bike to school day. Last
night I attended a Ladies Night at my local Trek shop. I always love these
events because it brings women of different cycling ability together to talk
about cycling, engage in knowledge sharing, as well as make new friends.
The store was kind enough to let me have a table to promote the Venus de Miles ride and Dare2tri. It was great to engage in conversation with women who were looking for a ride to challenge themselves. Some set a goal to finish the 25 mile route, others the 60 miler. Being an all women's ride, Venus de Miles provides a non-threatening environment, which was inviting to the women I spoke with. I really hope to see many of them out on the road training and empowering themselves to achieve more.
Ladies Nite included topics like clothing, lights, saddles, bikes (women's specific), and bike fit. The evening concluded with a panel of four women with
different cycling backgrounds, one of which was yours truly. The floor was
opened to questions of any topic. It was a comfortable setting so no one felt intimidated and could ask anything. I’m always thrilled
to share my knowledge with others and in turn learn something new. I hope that this
group of women left feeling excited about cycling, empowered to challenge
themselves, and invigorated with their new knowledge.
Today is Global Women’s Cycling Day and on May 14th,
Mother’s Day, it’s CycloFemme. I love their tag line…"Empower the
Girl. Ignite the Women." CycloFemme is a global celebration of women created to honor the past from the shoulders of those who stood before us, for the freedom to choose and the chance to wear pants. To celebrate the present with strength and courage, voices raised, moving together. To empower the future of women everywhere, the backbone of positive social change.
I can only hope that what transpires from this weekend's events mimics what I saw
last night, but on a much larger scale.
Enjoy the ride,
Sheri
