Category Archives: #webiketodc

Childhood Tales of Bike Life

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

Now that you have gotten to know who we are, learn more about us and our process. WE will be rolling out a series of guest posts from our riders and sponsors. 

Kristina Sepúlveda shares some memories of her biking beginnings…

IMG_0343This is me at 31, not 10. Hard to tell though because my face has not changed. 

I learned how to ride a bike when my family moved from New York City to Sarasota, Florida when I was 10 years old. I picked out a pink and aqua girl’s frame and wobbled around the block for a few weeks before I met my first neighborhood friend. She rode a dark red adult road bike with drop handles. She was a year older and almost a foot taller. Sometimes, I would try her bike on and stretch my legs as far as they could go to reach the ground to brake safely.

I rode my bike to school throughout the fifth grade, only a few blocks away, but a daily rush of freedom and responsibility. I went to a school too far away to ride for middle school and was teased relentless on the bus as I made my way through adolescents and the emotional eating that comes with. After school hours, to try to repair my battered self esteem, I rode around the neighborhood with guy friends, getting into petty criminal and emotional mischief. The bad kids tend to not be picked on.

On a particular bad behavior escalation day, I chained my bike to a low post in front of the pool hall, the height of my waist low. It was stolen within the hour. My parents, while disappointed, were not surprised that I was losing my attention to detail as I grew up. Nor were they surprised when it showed up badly beaten and not locked to the bike rack in front of the mall, I stole it back and left it to continue its journey into rust and disrepair in the garage.

I have no idea at what point my parents tossed it.

 

Spotlight: Gearing Up

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE! Now that you have gotten to know who we are, learn more about us and our process. WE will be rolling out a series of guest posts from our riders and sponsors. Here is a participant from Philly’s Gearing Up receiving an award for dedication to her #bikelife

Video by Juliet Shen – friend, videographer and volunteer of Gearing Up! Gearing Up provides women in transition from abuse, addiction, and/or incarceration with the skills, equipment, and guidance to safely ride a bicycle for exercise, transportation, and personal growth.  In June 2011, one of our extremely dedicated clients was offered a brand new Fuji bicycle because of her commitment to her sobriety and our organization.   This video is proof as to why I have the best job in the world! To this day, it is one of the proudest moments I have with the organization: watching a client receive an award to celebrate her hard work, dedication as well as her love for cycling! – Kaelin Proud, Program Coordinator of Gearing Up. Thank to the generous donations received so far, Kaelin will be able to bring experiences like this one to the National Bike Summit. Please click here to help sponsor more voices in DC.

Storm’s a Coming

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

Now that you have gotten to know who we are, learn more about us and our process. WE will be rolling out a series of guest posts from our riders and sponsors. 

Mary Shyne, long distance riding extraordinaire, draws out her bundle strategy…

bundlingforbikesClick image for an up close and personal view and click here to support our bundled ride.

Spotlight: Women Bike PHL

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

Now that you have gotten to know who WE are, learn more about us and our process. WE will be rolling out a series of guest posts from our riders and sponsors. 

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When organizing this ride, WE knew Katie would be an excellent teammate as the founder of Women Bike PHL (as part of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia). Click here for more information on the work of this stellar organization.

Cold Weather Riding

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE! Now that you have gotten to know who we are, learn more about us and our process. WE will be rolling out a series of guest posts from our riders and sponsors.  First up, Casey Ashenhurst tells us how she mentally prepares for winter riding… IMG_20131125_075013 I ride my bike to work almost every day, all year round. I’m from the northern part of the Midwest, so I’m used to going out in the cold. Having been in New York for 4 years, at this point I’m also used to the exclamations of, “WOW, you rode your bike TODAY?!?” that I get from folks when I’m still riding in to work come November and it’s 40 degrees outside. It’s actually some of my favorite weather to ride in- brisk, but still able to work up a sweat once I’m grinding it out. But the first really cold day of the year—which for me is about 25 degrees—is always a bit of a rough start. It’s hard to get out of bed, it’s hard to look at the thermostat and not be tempted by the warmth of the subway, and it’s hard to layer up in the requisite cold-weather gear. This year, the first time the morning commute called for the SERIOUS gloves, I took a dissatisfied Instagram selfie once I was ready to roll out, with the caption, “I mean, I’m gonna do it, but I don’t have to be happy about it.” But the thing is, I always forget how good it feels and am surprised when the cold is actually not so bad. I’m getting myself there by my own strength, which feels even better when I have to work a little harder for it. When it’s cold out, less folks are out on the road, which is kind of nice (even though I love seeing people out on bikes!). It means there’s nobody else on the bridge, so when I get to the top, I’m always the winner! The view going into Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge is beautiful, and pausing for a second to take in the view with no one else around offers a rare moment of solitude in this hustle-bustle city. Our ride to DC is going to be cold—but I’m hoping it’ll feel all that much better when we get there since we’re gonna have to work a little bit harder for it!

Who are WE? Nelle Pierson

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

Nelle_Pierson3

Nelle Pierson

Washington Area Bicyclists Association 

Women & Bicycles

Age? 25 Where are you from? Lakewood, Colorado  Where do you ride? Up, down, over, across, under, and sideways, sometimes above. When and why did you start riding? Started biking when I turned 18 because I could no longer afford my car, and neither could my dad, so I gave my car to him. My mom bought me a $50 cruiser bike to get me around my college campus, and it clearly became the better, faster, stronger way to get around my giant college campus. How has WE Bike NYC (or biking with your org, or as a woman) impacted your life? Biking has changed my life in ways that are often indescribable. Biking has taught me the importance of thrift, allows me to feel better about my carbon footprint, allows me to connect more with my neighbors, other road-users, new roads, new places, new faces, and myself. It’s fun. I get my daily rush, I get wet and cold and sweaty and this makes me feel more alive. Plus, biking gives me the opportunity in my professional career to help make a positive difference in the world around me. I get to help provide a simple, concrete solution to some of our biggest problems. I get to be the change I wish to see in the world. Why do you want to go on the ride? I need to support my gals, and I want to continue raising awareness of the importance of normalizing, and diversifying the biking for transportation- especially among women. Biking is normal, safe, fun and easy for most people, and while we may not have the marketing budgets to sell this message, we do have opportunities with rides like this. Anything else you’d like to add? I will officially be the “Hoop’N’Holler’er” of the group. Contribute here for a HOOP, a HOLLER, a WOOT, and a YAY!

Who are WE? Lesly Jones

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

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Lesly Jones

Black Women Bike DC

Age? Really? 50+

Where are you from? I grew up in Berkeley, CA; I currently live in Washington, DC.

Where do you ride? In the Washington DC metropolitan area. Mostly in the city. I have 3 bikes (carbon road bike named KoKo, steel single speed/fixie named Kat and a cyclocross bike named Mac) and no car, so cycling is my primary source of transportation. However, I ride most of my miles for the sheer enjoyment of riding.

When/Why did you start riding? I have never not owned a bike. I have 3 older sisters and riding my bike was the only time I was in charge. For me, biking equates to freedom. Now, I simply ride for the love of being outside. It’s also a great stress reliever. Having a bad day……I just jump on my bike and whatever is bothering me is gone!

Why do you want to go on the ride? I love to share my love of fitness and cycling is a big part of that. I am a member of Black Women Bike DC’s Leadership Team….our vision is that Black women and girls, of all ages, ride their bikes for fun, health, wellness and transportation. Our mission is to build community and interest in biking among Black women through education, advocacy and recreation. Participating in this event is a great way to share our vision and mission.

Anything else? I am a mother and grandmother. I am a league certified cycling instructor. I regularly lead beginner group rides in my community. I am a strong advocate for cycling in my community and belong to WABA, Women & Bicycles and several local bike groups.

Bring Black Women Bike DC’s awesome vision to the national stage by contributing here!

Who are WE? Katie Monroe

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

Katie_Monroe

Katie Monroe

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia: Women Bike PHL

Age? 23

Where are you from? Philadelphia, PA

Where do you ride? All around my city! I am constantly traversing the bustling neighborhoods of Philadelphia on my bike. There is no better way to live and love this city.

When and why did you start riding? I have always been riding bikes for fun, but I only got into riding for transportation consistently when I moved to South Philly about a year and a half ago. It’s cheap, convenient, environmentally-friendly, fast (good for impatient folks like me!), but more importantly it is FUN and it has connected me with an incredibly diverse and passionate community of people, in Philadelphia and beyond.

How has WE Bike NYC (or biking with your org, or as a woman) impacted your life? WE Bike NYC has been a tremendous source of inspiration for the program I founded at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia: Women Bike PHL. I love riding and learning about bikes with women because it’s allowed me to share the skills I have, inspire confidence in others, and learn a LOT. I think the confidence I have as a bicyclist carries over into other aspects of life, too. I feel so independent in my transportation choices and that has a ripple effect!

Why do you want to go on the ride? There are some incredible women moving the bicycling movement forward all over the country. We are strong individually, but together we are way more powerful. I want to deepen the connections I already have and form new ones on this ride — it can only mean good things for the bicycling movement to strengthen solidarity among women bicycling leaders!

Anything else you’d like to add? I am a little scared of doing this type of ride! I mostly ride for transportation around Philly, or on pretty cushy tours on vacation with my family (not as much mileage per day). I am always encouraging women to face their own biking challenges — so this will be a good challenge for me. 🙂

Get Katie through this challenge and into the National Bike Summit by contributing here!

Why We Ride

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE!

 

Happy Holidays Everybody!, WE wanted you to meet some of the lovely ladies from WE Bike NYC and learn Why WE ride. WE also wanted you to know who WE are riding for this. WE invite you to share this message with the people in your life who might find inspiration from these women.

Who are WE? Kaelin Proud

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WE Bike NYC is organizing ten women from five organizations to ride 262 miles on bicycles from New York City to Washington, DC to represent their communities at the nation’s largest annual bicycle advocacy event, the National Bike Summit on March 3, 2014. WE are so pleased to be supported by WomanTours, Bicycle Times Magazine and Transportation Alternatives. For more about the ride, check out our fundraising page HERE! photo

Kaelin Proud

Gearing Up

Age? 25 Where are you from? Philadelphia Where do you ride? Philadelphia and the surrounding area…..actually, anywhere I can ride, I’ll ride! When and why did you start riding? I started commuting by bicycle while studying at Temple University and began riding competitively on the Temple University Cycling Team. I ride because I love the way it makes me feel: independent, strong and powerful. How has biking with your org impacted your life? Riding bikes with the clients of Gearing Up gave me the opportunity to witness the change that riding a bike can bring to a person’s life. I appreciate seeing other people using the bike as a coping mechanism and I truly enjoy being a part of that process for women in our program. Why do you want to go on the ride? I wanted to join this ride to be around a healthy, positive group of women looking to better their community by biking! I look forward to learning about all the different ways that women and female-focused organizations have impacted the cycling world and community! Add to the positive by contributing here!