28 April 2010

Thank you!

Thank you for all your lovely comments to my last post! I thought I'd reply here to make sure you all see. It really cheered me up to see that you girls agree. The day really knocked my confidence, by the end of it I felt like I did as a teenager back at school and could barely look anyone in the eye, let alone talk to them.

But I'm not going to let it get to me. I don't need to be around people like that. I don't need to fit in to something so exclusive and bitchy. I think Lydia was right to say that bikes are seen as a boy thing, so girls who are in to them can be extra mean to try and 'keep up with the boys.' That makes me sad, but I think it's true of lots of underground and alternative scenes, that you have to try and out do each other all the time to be the most indie or punk or whatever, and then on top of that girls feel like they need to be one of the boys.

I think if I didn't have such supportive friends who really understand the idea of girl love and support, this really would have affected me, and I hate to think that those same girls might put another girl off cycling forever. Women are a minority in cycling and are often just used a dainty accessories. Those of us who are into riding fast and fixing bikes need to support other girls so they aren't too intimidated to join in.

I'm not going to change and try and fit in with these girls. Instead I want to work to create my own supportive and friendly girl cycling gang! I want to teach other girls how to fix their bikes and go on rides around town with them!

Also, I think I am going to buy this bike and use it to work on when I go on the mechanics course. It's beautiful!

6 comments:

  1. literally welling up.

    we need to start a wicked bike-mounted girl gang i think. that look after each other, help each other, and have amazing fun riding together.

    girl-love is so important as an antidote against all the girl-hatred and jealousy that exists. the media tells us we're rivals, and that we hate each other. we know that's not true though, and it's up to us to prove it isn't.

    probably for the first time ever, i feel like i have a few girl friends who 'get it', that are supportive and brilliant. and i love them very much indeed!

    (get that amazing bike please. i secretly want a geared bike now. as well as my fixed, of course.)

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  2. I want to join your girl gang..... <3

    People are real shites, and its so nasty when girls are horrible to each other.

    Dont listen to them, and keep riding your bike in your pretty dress and hanging out with GOOD people.

    I am planning on spraying my shitty little £25 bike this weekend, I love it so.

    x

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  3. Hello,
    I was disappointed on your behalf in the behavior of the other girl cyclists...reading your blog has inspired me to get on a bike soon. I live in Iowa City, Iowa, and the cyclists I know are some of the kindest folks around. Best regards, Amy

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  4. yay! we can have an international girl bike gang!

    this has definitely made me see that I don't need or want to fit in with tose type of nagative people. that I need to create my own spaces and communities of awesome people!

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  5. http://velolovesthecity.blogspot.com/
    you r already on the FB group right? wanna be admin? invite your friends to it? always up for lovely people with their bikes, come along! No hierarchies, all bikes welcome! x

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  6. I'm new to your blog and I enjoy your posts! I've always wanted to bike with my friends but I should probably learn how to ride a bicycle first...

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