When I started mountain biking I had a boyfriend show me the
way, but much like teaching someone you love how to drive, it often ends up in
frustration. Guys seem to know what they are doing, not because they are better
than us but because they have years of experience over us. While we were
playing with Barbie, they popped wheelies on BMX’s.
Now what happens so often is that women start and get shown
how to ride a bike, then you are expected to know. Women then don’t join in on
rides because it is intimidating to try and stay with the guys and it does not
seem safe to go alone so then opt to stay at home.
If one now gets to any cycling event it would look very much
like a male sport. But why should they have all the fun? How wonderful would it
be if there were networks of women that are mountain biking and that you can
meet to ride together? There is no fast tracking the learning experience, which
comes through practice but the point is to practice with someone closer to your
level of experience.
The benefits are enormous and I don’t have to explain that
health is the new wealth. So I propose we start getting together, and see who
we can network with to start practicing.
I would like to invite women of all skills levels to a bike
ride in the Braamfontein spruit, Saturday 4 August at 8:30 am. You can ask me
any questions related to bike set ups, equipment, nutrition, racing, training,
etc. We can ride for about 90 minutes where you can connect with likeminded
people. Park at Fratelli's. Email me on karienvanj@gmail.com if you have any questions
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