And finally...

Poor Us

The government has decided it should get more women cycling.  Cue lots of sporty types on breakfast TV.  Apparently the things that stop women cycling are the clothes and safety.  Bless our little pink socks – I'm fairly sure these two impediments aren't just a girl thing.

I have all the kit for summer and longer rides but on a day to day basis I wear jeans and boots. Sometimes I even cycle in a (whisper it) skirt.  Over the summer months as my training mojo kicks in I will don lycra for evening rides because - and this is the honest reason - its far comfier.  I wear normal tops sometimes and sometimes a cycling jersey.  Usually the weather decides that.  I'm not the only one who cycles to work and amongst my male and female colleagues none are 'kit' junkies.  Most just want to be comfy.  

I think the far biggest impediment to all people cycling is safety - Something I have talked about that before.  To reiterate; be confident, know your route, don’t cycle too close to the kerb (gives you less choices and cars tend to give you the same room you give yourself) and get your friends to join you.  The more cyclists we have, the more used to us drivers will be.  One day, they might even expect to see you.

Lots of things put women off cycling.  Lots of things put people off cycling.

Punctures - Here's a couple of little secrets.  1. It's a cinch once you know how and 2. Loads of men haven't got a clue.  Its not a girl thing.  I know I'm not the best at bike fixing but I am confident I can do what I need.  (Right to tight, cables stretch.  These are my watchwords.) Having once misguidedly asked my other half (early on in my cycling career, I was a newbie, scared and naive) to fix new brake blocks I found I knew just as much, if not rather a lot more, than the next man.

Bike shops intimidate most people.  I was reading a round the world blog from a woman who had built her own bike (an ambition I will one day realise) Even she hates bike shops.  I have no idea why, but I do too.  I don't like techy talk and always feel a bit of a fraud when I join in.  The other half came with me once.  The bike bloke talked to him.  Not that it did much good.  

I was in a shop recently. Bikes of every type, walls of bloke’s kit nice and prominent, easy to find.  It also has a delightful little badly stocked pink signed  women's section tucked away from glaring eyes.  I fancied a nice new pair of summer mitts.  I had a choice of 2 extra small pairs.  I found it all rather useless and quite patronising.  Don’t lose heart - Other shops are far better.  Having a women’s section is fine, great in fact.  But don’t make it an also ran. 

So women, men, everyone.  My message is simple. Get on your bike, wear what you want and ride with confidence.