BIKE NOPA & Bikes And The City have spun out a new collaborative bike series, Women Who Bike. Each Monday and Wednesday we will feature San Francisco women and their bicycles. Check both our blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share with you.
Let us know your thoughts and leave comments for the featured riders.
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Women Who Bike: Kelley & Caitlin
How would you characterize your bicycling style? assertive, carefree, cautious, competitive, law abiding, slow and steady
Kelley. carefree and cautious. i like to saunter around town and get to where i'm going. i don't feel any pressure to ride fast and i like to follow the rules, because being predictable is being safe.
Caitlin. All of the above. I ride bikes in various occasions. Commute, train, race, explore, Butter lap.
Something basic: how often do you bike and what for?
K. i ride every day because i find it genuinely moving! i like being self sufficient and it incorporates my personal beliefs with a sense of enjoyment. the bay area is beautiful, by biking, i’m just capitalizing on the obvious.
C. Everyday. For myself (stay fit, see the world, and get my groceries faster - best parking!). For the world (my carbon foot print is my carbon fork).
What could be done in SF to encourage more women, including teens and younger, to bike?
K.
- bicycle infrastructure - join the bicycle coalition, they work hard to make biking safer, they are our voice.
- ride in comfort - get comfortable on your bike. ride through golden gate park and catch the sunset at ocean beach where you can avoid cars almost entirely, and you don't have to sacrifice style, skirts and tights are the best for riding!
- don't be intimidated - your fellow cyclists are very encouraging! there's a huge solidarity between cyclists. feel free to ask questions and even ask for help, i'm sure you're fellow bicycle friend will be flattered.
How many of your best dates/friendships started with biking?
___ still working on that; ____1 -5; ....., more than 25: I bike a lot!
K. cycling is a great way to meet people. there are lots of organized and not so organized rides of varying levels like sf sunday streets, the pushbike ladies ride, sfbc rides, sports basement riders club, mission cycling club, century rides, races, commuting groups, and my personal favorite, butterlap! there's a whole subculture of cyclists in san francisco and so much to do. i've made tons of friends through cycling and meet more all the time, so i'm still working on that. i've really only ever had one bicycle date, i'm still working on that too.
C. Dates fall within the 1-5, friendship > 25
In the Presidio, butterlap break - last week.
Other little things-
I surprise people when I bike by (or with):
K. definitely, but I’m not sure why.
C. and when I'm track standing.
My message to women who want to try biking:
K. it's hot! it's cool!
C. the ratio is outstanding
My favorite meal after a long ride is:
K. i like (read: i am totally hooked on) the chocolate covered pretzels in the rainbow grocery bulk section
C. Burrito. Hands down.
The best way to hydrate in between rides is: (coffee, beer, tea etc.) + where
K. water! i like a coffee stop on my rides, it gives me a little rest and amps me for the way back. then, more water! i often end with a celebratory beer, because there's lots to celebrate after feeling good from a beautiful day on the bicycle. and still, more water!
C. Death and Taxes at place: Benders after the Butter Lap.
Presenting an outstanding duo. You might wonder where I have come across such beautiful ladies with the best smiles, these gorgeous sisters are always roaming around the city with their bikes attached to their hips, are frequent riders of the butterlap ride, and are certainly not afraid to ride the distance, long long distances. It has been a pleasure to ride alongside them on Wednesday nights!+ + + + + + + + + +
♥ Gracias Kelley y Caitlin!! ♥
Don't forget to check out BIKE NOPA for more Women Who Bike profiles.
Women who bike: Take the Writing Women Back into Bicycling survey online by May 15th. More than 7300 women already have. Survey conducted by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP). See survey here: link
If you or someonw you know would like to participate email me at bikesandthecity +at+ gmail
For women in the NOPA area contact Michael at BIKE NOPA
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See previous Bikes & The CIty profiles here: Women Who Bike Series
Great post :-D
ReplyDeleteLove the Bottecchia! I ride a Bottecchia, have had it for many, many years.
ReplyDeleteAnd your carbon fork sequesters carbon, rendering it harmless to the earth, so you should get a carbon credit. More carbon bikes parts, ASAP!