The Woman's Liberation Movement and Early Cycling

Here is a cool little video on women and early cycling by Jim Kellett .

Women's-Independence from Jim Kellett on Vimeo.

The bicycle allowed women to go out on their own as it still does today. Here is an early lady fixed gear rider, another excerpt from Jim Kellet's movie.

Dora Rinehart from Jim Kellett on Vimeo.

In case you did not already know,  these  are the rules.  Rule #1 to #6 seems to have become my personal mantra.  I would like to bring your particular attention to Rule # 4 of the rules. In spite of what some twatwaffle (see rule 4) says, it is indeed about the bike.   I also know this is true because of what Martina experienced this summer by being on the right bike.  She has fallen in love with cycling and with her bike. 

Turning folks onto the pleasures and benefits of cycling is really what Saddle Up Bike is all about.  I achieved this goal at home with my partner.  I have had women come into the shop with  30 year old entry level bikes that were junk originally and were four sizes too big, thinking that they just wanted to try out cycling.  If they liked it, they will come back and buy a more suitable bike.  We don't see them back and that's unfortunate.  Their experience of cycling is simply not the same as it is for someone that tries out a bike that was chosen based on their needs and their environment.   

I knew from the first moment I saw the paint scheme, that this was the perfect bike for Martina.

It's painted like an Asian jewelery box.  I don't think there could have been any other bike for her. The fact that it's a Specialized Langster just made the decision to buy it for her that much easier.  I'm familiar with the quality of construction of their bikes.  And as importantly, I like the geometry of Specialized road bikes.  The Langster offers a single speed or fixed gear bike with Specialized road bike geometry.  I thought that a 49cm bike would be a good size for her considering she is 5' 4 1/2" in height (and yes, the 1/2 inch is important!). 

The set-up we have settled on for now.

She has been able to experience Calgary in a different way travelling by bicycle.

Views of the city not available from the seat of a car.

You don't see this waiting for a red light.

Having a bike that is truly fun to ride has really made a difference in how much Martina enjoys cycling.  I find she is now planning our days around bike rides and it's awesome.  I've watched as she has grown stronger and become more fit.   Most importantly, because we are car-free, I believe that she has found a new sense of freedom very much like those women from the early days.