Lucerne, Nidwalden and Obwalden group ride Recap
You can have your cake, and eat it too!
Riding in a group of almost 30 women of varying levels of experience isn't "fast" by any traditional means. There's a lot of stop and go, there's waiting after a set of lights because half of the group didn't make it through, there's stopping for selfies... but it turns out that when you're paving new ways of what it means to ride as women, traditional ideas of what makes a ride successful don't really matter.
Our ride on Intl' Women's Day this past Saturday was EPIC in our favourite ways; mother nature provided perfect weather, the route led us through quiet country roads, the riders engaged in great conversation, we had strong leadership at the front of the group, new friendships at the back, we enjoyed epic views and of course, we ate CAKE too!
Now, every rider will find their time and place to challenge their pace (and the Hive Ride on May 10th provides just that) but on a ride that celebrates solidarity and womanhood, we are so proud to have had inclusivity and our values at the core of the ride.
Strangers shouted at us from the side of the road "allez les femmes!" Little girls on their kick-bikes with their moms waved at us as we rolled by like a herd of wild stallions, pony tails waving in the breeze... these were the moments where I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I felt a deep sense of pride for our shared womanhood. These are the moments that knew: this is what it's all about!
Every single one of us are unique (and you are too) but our social ride on Saturday was a celebration -with cake- of our shared identity and, as two drivers sprayed us angrily with their windshield wiper fluid, it was also a recognition of the long road that is still ahead of us.
This group ride was a huge success, but it was four years in the making and a reminder that there are decades to come. So, who else is inspired and ready to saddle up?
Disclaimer: All of our events at @riderawr are organized as non-profit formats. In fact, this Saturday dozens of self-governed social groups like ours hosted rides all over Switzerland without any financial incentives. Cycling IS female, and it's impact is driven and upheld by volunteer work of the passionate women in it's community.
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