Today is International Women’s Day and the theme for 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. The theme is explained further on the International Women’s Day website as follows:
‘A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.’
Women’s sport and equality is a topic that I feel passionate about. In recent months have been excited to see the women’s issue from Rouleur magazine that is their best selling issue to date, and also the Cycling Weekly International Women’s Day issue.
I was honoured to be quoted in the Rouleur magazine in the article on turbo cycling by the lovely Becca Charlton. In the Cycling Weekly magazine I was captured from the opening words from guest editor Elinor Barker:
‘The best thing I can do to promote women’s cycling is to be good at my job and put on a show that people want to watch. The best thing you can do as a journalist is to report on that show. Not on the inequalities, but on the racing, the drama and the action.
It would have been easy to fill these pages with content about ingrained sexism, prize money discrepancies and the eternal quest to find a saddle that won’t eventually result in reconstructive surgery. And rightfully so. These are important subjects to cover and I hope to read about them more in this magazine.
But I wanted to use this opportunity to explore what happens post-adversity. A glimpse into the future; when sport media no longer needs to address the problems we face and can focus on women’s interests. On interesting women. When we are truly treated as equals, without the need for ‘female’ to prefix ‘cyclist’.
What #ChooseToChallenge means to me
My challenge to myself this year was to start racing on Zwift, to get out of my comfort zone. I was inspired so much by my friend Laura, though I was terrified in equal measure. I signed up to a Zwift Power account and messaged her to I knew I was saying it out loud and committing to giving it a go. Laura is a Specialized ambassador and races for Aeonian Race Team (AEO) and is BADASS!
I’ve now done 4 races and my positioning has ranged from 1st to 108th. It is tough and definitely type 2 fun. There are so many strong female riders and they are so inspiring. Starting out was the hardest thing but reminding myself I was new to this and was there to give my all and see what happened made it less pressure – pressure I should add that came from myself and no one else.
I’ve also joined 3 Donny Chain Gang women’s rides. The women on these rides are seriously incredible! Every time I join I try and hang on a little bit longer and see if there is enough in the tank for a little sprint finish. It aint easy, its the DCG. The support is amazing, it is live streamed on the DCG You Tube channel and they support every rider! The next women’s ride is this Wednesday, 10 March – see you there?
The above is what #ChooseToChallenge means to me. To be fearlessly unapologetically you always. Don’t feel you can’t do something because you don’t fit the mould, challenge it and do what makes you happy. It is what I love about cycling, the diversity, the different forms it takes, different ages, abilities, and how inclusive it can be.
What #ChooseToChallenge means to other amazing women
Here are some quotes from some amazing ladies, who inspire me, with what this years #ChooseToChallenge means to them:
‘Choose to challenge is a perfect theme for me. This last year has been super challenging but I’ve persevered. Yes I’ve spent way more time on my turbo than I ever thought would have thought was possible but it’s been worth it. I’ve got some really cool challenges lined up this year too and I will keep challenging the inequalities within our sport of cycling. I love International Women’s Day – it’s the day we launched the InternationElles two years ago!’ Louise Gibson from InternationElles, united in the fight for equality and to boost women’s cycling. She is also a fellow pink lover, like me!
‘When Lisa asked me to write a short paragraph on how I choose to challenge myself, I was actually stumped. Taking a moment on International Women’s Day where #choosetochallenge is this year’s theme, to stop for a bit and think about it seemed appropriate! Where to begin? Well, as a recently single Mum with no family close by, it seems that every day is a challenge.
Managing my five year old full time as he transitions into prep school, juggling my business FOHER Co and managing the day to day intricacies of keeping that running smoothly, trying to tick the boxes for my triathlon training (first race of the season this weekend!), keeping on top of the housework, the tropical jungle that is my garden, making sure the dog is walked, preparing healthy meals, squeezing in some ‘me’ time etc etc well I’m sure many will relate.
So how do I challenge myself beyond surviving each day? Well, I set the bar even higher. I ride even further, I push even harder. I face my fears head on and I don’t back down. Interest in women’s sport is at an all time high! Something I am particularly proud of is our Cairns Women’s Road Racing Team, which we formed in 2019 to advocate for women’s equality in cycling at our grass-roots level. We now have women’s podiums and equal prize money at our local races, and Women’s teams forming down the east coast of Australia. Next step? Challenge that status quo nationally and keep up the momentum. Now that would be a satisfying change.’ Dr Kylie Anderson, founder of Foher Co, and all round lady boss.
‘During an unprecedented year and among a lot of uncertainty and sadness around the world I felt so fortunate to discover a community of women in the virtual world of Zwift and across social media that kept me motivated and positive throughout the lockdowns.
When I was growing up in the sport of cycling it played a huge role in undoubtedly shaping my confidence, my future career and brought so much positivity. However, when it came to a community of women or girls, well I can’t say that existed back then. I tried more and more to fit in with the boys, wiped my makeup off, tried to hide my femininity. Things have come a long way since then but in this last year, more than ever I’ve challenged myself to stop worrying about what other people think. To let it go more. If I’m going for the wooden spoon in e-sports, so what? There’s so much more to riding than worrying about where I am in the running order, being embarrassed that I’m not the same as the next person. Instead I focused purely on the benefits it was bringing, my little PB’s here and there, the people I was connecting with, the pool of sweat on the mat beneath me…. and that became a lot easier surrounded by role models like yourself, Lisa. Let’s celebrate our differences and the things we do bring, rather than worrying about the things we don’t. It’s liberating and it’s infectious. Happy International Women’s Day.’ Rebecca Charlton, who is a presenter, journalist, author and one of the nicest and supportive people I have met from social media.
‘I #choosetochallenge all the stereotypes of what a cyclist should look like, from what I wear to who I ride with. I #choosetochallenge my mental barriers of what I’m capable of #shutuplegs and I #choosetochallenge everyday mansplaining and misogyny I experience on and off the bike. Because I truly believe #cyclingisforeveryone.’ Shuhena Islam, who is an ambassador for Cannondale, Rapha, Hub Velo CC women’s champion and lawyer to top it all off!
There is still so much that can be done – be part of the change.
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