December 2011
50 posts
sleeping-todream asked: I really strongly agree with your take on the gender bias in cycling and how women are portrayed more as sex symbols and whatnot in the whole system. It's sick, in my opinion, that certain sites and companies advertise women on bikes... but in a completely different way as men. I was actually just looking in some different magazines int he store, and on sites online for cycling and it's...
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Call For Submissions: Cycling & Personal Safety
In the last month, two seemingly-unrelated things happened that have given me pause to think:
- A serial rapist victimized two (and possibly more) women in my neighborhood (story) - I had to walk home from Bart at night for the first time in months due to a bike malfunction
Walking instead of riding forced me into thinking about how biking makes me feel less likely to be attacked or mugged, and...
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Watchcyclocrosshotties:
If you like women and mud and cross, this video is for you!
Amazing video of the women’s race at Namur World Cup race, by Petitesreines. Featuring, of course, some awesome euro pop.
In case anyone needed an example, this is what not fucking around looks like.
Response to Thoughts Behind the Bar
Fixed gear freestyle rider and photographer Devan Mickell wrote and submitted this post in response to another tumblr user who criticized her aggressive refusal of a request from the Fix Fix Fix to do a shoot with her. You can read his remarks here and here. - Ed.
First off, it’s very clear to me that you responded (a) without taking the time to actually read my comment to the FixFixFix,...
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“#3: The UCI has a rule that professional women’s teams must average below 28...”
– London Calling: Kathryn Bertine’s letter to Santa - espnW
Very funny, I like this a lot - read the whole thing! But I’m 100% behind these requests, Dear Santa, please listen!
(via womenscycling)
Pants, better posture, and oh yeah, having the basic opportunities she and other elite female...
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Geez, again. Worth reading, though.
Another very long response to my stated issues with theFixFixFix. I’ve cut the quote down significantly, but please feel free to read the whole thing by clicking on the poster’s name below.
thoughtsfrombehindthebar:
I can see the argument that these types of photos turn female cyclists into sex symbols to be objectified, however I find the argument to be patently false. I believe...
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Oh, geez.
The following comment is in response to this post, in which Devan Mickell - a prominent female FGFS rider - laid the smack down on softcore fixie porn site the FixFixFix for asking her to do a shoot with them.
thoughtsfrombehindthebar:
This is absolutely fucking ridiculous that women are applauding and sharing this type of anti-pornography sex negative thinking. Instead, they should be...
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Fixing the FFF
I’m bored, so here’s the “about” page of TheFixFixFix with a translation of what they’re really saying at the end of each paragraph:
TheFiXFiXFIX was started as a photography project of a bicycle building enthusiast and budding photographer. After getting over 1,000,000 views on our Flickr page and tons of positive feedback, we’ve decided to put together this site...
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tomorrowisdramatic asked: I liked your first answer, but honestly: tricks do not "require" letting air out of one's tyres. Doesn't matter if it's freehub or fixed, tricks can be done with fully inflated tyres. Look up "Acrobatic Girls on Bike from Germany (Bike Ballet)" on YouTube for an example, as I'm unable to provide a link in the "ask" method of Tumblr. In that video,...
tomorrowisdramatic asked: As awesome as that is (and truly, I mean that) - her rear tyre is either flat or incredibly low on air. I've seen that too often with rather dim-witted guys, the same type that objectify women, so I'm hoping to see strong women display awareness of their bikes as more than just fashion statements and know how to check tyre pressure.
Wrenched Out
In light of my recent discussion about urban cycling’s omission of women in its media presence, here’s a post I wrote a while back that details why I see this issue as detrimental to the health of the community. This is my favorite post I’ve written for the blog so far.
bikeladiesunite:
A few months ago I rode to the Chrome store to try out their new Kursk Pro SPD-compatible...
indecentillustration asked: Thanks so much for giving visibility to us fixie women, who often struggle with feeling pushed out of this very male dominated pursuit <3
nickeyrobo asked: I've been liking pretty much every post you've written about State Bicycle. Thank you for being so eloquent, feminist, and awesome! Keep it up!
statebicycle asked: Plz check out our site for that shirt you will notice that this is another picture of one of our customers posing with our shirt. We try to represent all ranges & aspects of our market. WE ARE LISTENING & APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS Our female audience is extremely important to us, thus we released the size 49, amongst many other things. If you...
statebicycle asked: We appreciate the blog post and feel compelled to write you a response. Regarding the picture of the girl with the bike. That is a customer's photo that was sent in. A real, everyday customer. We love seeing them, and wish more of our female clientele would send them in. The more risque photo is a model arranged by our photographer in Toronto. We realize that this could be portrayed in a...
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And this is why I write this blog
Because I have awesome badass readers.
hedgebitch:
Dear State Bicycle Company,
As a woman who plans on a career in building bikes, I am very disappointed to see you using women’s sexuality in your marketing. This alienates women and promotes misogyny in our culture. Please find alternative strategies.
The woman in the photo below is basically represented as naked on your couch in some creepy...
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jellyboness asked: I don't really understand the whole state bicycles issue. I looked on their website, their blog, and only saw a few pictures of women, none of which are offensive or overly sexualized. Perhaps I am not looking hard enough but I don't see any blatant sexism. I get that female bike models are often not dressed for cycling but it's no different than regular advertising (which, of...
madameknickers asked: I always take being called a feminist nutcase a compliment. I love what you do. :] (And for the record, for the jerk-hole below) I am a plus sized cyclist. We exist. Not every female cyclist is built like a super model.
ericofthedead asked: You are not a "feminist nutcase" - you have a valid point on the State issue.
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mmmmilk asked (again)
So I got a follow-up to the first ask, also on my personal tumblr. As with that first one, I will also answer this here because it is about a post I made here:
State is just representing the cycling community the only way they know how, with the women they ride with. Our community is attractive, and we can’t help that. Soo.. Maybe if you start your own cycling company you can parade your...
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mmmmilk asked
This question got submitted to my personal tumblr for some reason, but since it is about a post I made here, I will answer it here.
Listen, our community doesn’t need any liberation. Our women are happy and we love the gentlemen who dominate our recreation. You’re only digging yourself a feminist nutcase hole. And hello, our community is full of sarcasm and trolls. How about your...
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Sorry for being 100% reblogs lately
Finals ‘n stuff. When the end of the semester comes knocking, ProTools takes precedence over all - even bikes. I’ll be back to normal posting next week.
Love, BLU
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Colorado Woman Spots Stolen Bike on Craigslist,... →
Taking matters into your own hands: it works!
Kathryn Lucas, 25, parked her bike outside of a bar where she went to watch a University of Colorado football game. When she left the bar to head home, she discovered that her black Trek 1.2 road bike was missing. After filing a police report, she and her roommate began searching Craigslist to see if the thief was trying to sell the bike.
Sure...