So, back in November, I organized my monthly ‘2 Wheels’ night to be a basic mechanics evening. Ladies were very interested and asked if I could set something up and of course I did. It was a super successful evening at Paradise Garage. Emily Burnett and Sarah Elizabeth were fantastic in teaching the ladies the basics about their bicycles.
Well, post holidays, I received requests about another basic mechanics evening since folks missed the first one as well as folks just learning so much from the first one – they wanted another.
So this time, Trek Bicycle Store off of Lane Ave hosted us.
42 women showed up last night. Women ranging from 11 yrs old to 50’s and older. Numerous ethnic backgrounds and riding abilities. All women wanting to know best practices, the ‘dos’ and ‘don’t’s’ when riding your bike. Trek’s Raeda and Rhonda took the ladies through the basics of changing a flat, shifting gears, lubing your chain, cleaning your bike due to weather, riding clothing, as well as a few safety tips. I’m very conscious of ending these events around 9pm. We’re women and we have numerous responsibilities let alone, we seem to always over extend ourselves. Well, last night women were asking such wonderful questions that even after the event, women stayed to continue to ask questions.
This kind of an environment was so humbling to be a part of. It was comfortable, and nobody felt foolish when asking their questions. The environment and the experiences that took place last night are exactly why I do this. There IS a need for empowering women and providing women with these kinds of environments so they can build their confidence to ride more.
I feel like women left last night really excited about what they learned and about what’s to come for Women on Bikes -2013 in Columbus. I look forward to weather being beautiful and the ‘2 Wheels & Heels’ ride being out of control, over populated with women coming from all over wanting to become more confident in their riding.
Women make up over 85% of the decision making within families today. We are the majority when it comes to volunteering in our communities as well as when it comes to taking our kids to school. If women are confident and excited about riding their bikes, its going to be that much easier to funnel that excitement to their kids. The bike needs to be ‘normalized’ and women will be the one’s to do this.
Enjoy the photos from last night’s mechanics. Thanks again to Trek Bicycle Store of Lane Ave. If you’re a fb user, be sure to search ‘2 Wheels & Heels’ and ‘LIKE’ us. Also, search for ‘Ohio Women’s Bicycling Summit’ as myself and two other colleagues are organizing the first statewide women’s bicycling summit – here in Columbus, Ohio.
Be safe and keep riding.
