Hi Katie You are very right when you speak about cycling not being inclusive. Nevertheless, could you please explain how a brand, making clothes exclusively for women, with a pricetag over 100$ for a jersey, could be defined inclusive? I think it's a clear example of exclusivity.
When you're in Marsden try cycling up Old Mount Rd instead of Mount Rd. It's rather steep at the bottom, do you huff and puff, but you're generally alone and it is beautiful! Thanks for the great videos.
Thank you so much for this! All bodies belong on bikes. Our focus should always be the joy of riding and feeling good about the strength of our bodies, and we should all be encouraging everyone to find that same joy first and foremost. I wish more brands would get the message that inclusive sizing = more customers!
There are alternatives now to super-technical-pro-extra tight gear, mountain bikers (and snowboarders) developed a more casual-cozy-shabby-chic look, not less expensive in reality, more confortable even for overweight cyclist (but chamois must still be where it has to be)
Hi Katie - great video and message! I'm a 60 year old OMIL (old man in Lycra) 😄and I swear that I see people chuckling as I pass by on the bike paths. I definitely do not possess the thin sleek cycling physique. At this stage of the game however I just own it. I cycle because I love it and for my health. I stopped worrying about what others thought of my "look" long ago. 🙂
I'm in my late 50s and 117kg, I ride a touring bike very slowly. I always say "hi" to passing cyclists, nod my head and raise my hand off the hood as a small wave. I would estimate around 50% of other cyclists completely ignore me, the other 50% are friendly and say "hi" back. returning to cycling after a break of 30 years the change has been noticable, in the past almost everyone would give an "ey-up" or a "morning".
Hi Katie, I'm worried about you going to the Pyrenees. It will be extremely hot and dry in July. I went over the Pyrenees by car one summer with the plan to camp there but it was unbearably hot and dry, not pretty like the Pennines at all, so I kept driving and stopped in Barcelona instead.
Great topic Katie couldn't agree with you more there tends to be a snobbery element with road cyclists but the mountain bike community are completely different more chilled and laid-back .
Thanks again Katie cos you always talk about issues that are real and that many of us can identify with. Here in Oz there are other cyclists that will wave or say G’day but there are those too who can’t even spare a nod of acknowledgement as though it would be beneath their dignity to acknowledge another human being on a bike. You had Sheepies and Ducks in this video too🙂
i think its so good youve show stopping and helping. so many people listen to you, and countless people will now help, and be helped because youve done it. and what a message, right on. thanks!
Was in your favourite place yesterday morning in the dales & did all three climbs up to the tan hill inn , it was cold at the top 11oC with thick fog but soon cleared up , great quiet roads up there with views for miles around
Yes to this!!! I stopped going to sportives, and avoided cycling clubs for these reasons. So much judgement and so many cliques. I'd be passing half of the judgy people on the hills, with their expensive kit, and cycling physiques, but it never stopped me feeling insecure. Still ride solo, but feel more confident in my kit and just feel like it's a case of 'two fingers to the cycling snobs', and carry on enjoying what makes me happy
Great video, I’ve just subscribed to your channel and really enjoying it, I was interested to hear your comments on being accepted for who you are regardless of gender and size, I am now an adult male, when I was younger I made the mistake of joining a cycling club and because I was a young teenager male but new to cycling, I was basically pushed out of the club for not being able to keep up with older experienced males or with experienced fitter women, you are so right back then cycling was so clicky, and totally inappropriate, sadly I never returned to cycling which I regret but I am glad to see there has been a positive change especially with gender recognition, thank you for your videos I’m really enjoying them and who knows, hopefully I’ll take the cycling plunge once more 😃
@katiekookaburra this is a beautiful video. I've struggled with my weight all my life. Right now, I'm on the large size. I love cycling too. But, I'm sensitive as well. Love your inclusivity vibe
when I started cycling, I was 155 kg and just wore normal shorts and a tshirt. I shopped at a local bike shop that was not snotty and was very encouraging and helped me with my stupid newbee questions. I am now 90 kg and have been riding for 20 yrs. I always remembered the kindness of the people at that shop and have always been encouraging for people like I was and give them advice and help as they need it.
Fat Lad At The Back’s gear is very much inclusive and caters to the larger lad/lass. I love their stuff. They’re based in the UK, but deliver worldwide.
I am a bit fan of their stuff as well. Cycling kit up to 60 inch (chest or stomach). Their sizes are true as well, so if you order a 52" Jersey that is what you get, which is not always the case with other suppliers. 👍 Some of their kit is discretely branded if you are sensitive about such things.
Maybe instead of promoting "just another brand of spandex outfit" we should be "breaking" the whole idea about the necessity of wearing spandex in road cycling. This comes of course from a person who has never worn a road cycling outfit and never will. I feel like maybe the "gravel or mountain bike community" is more inclusive in that sense. Just a thought.
Katie- It is great you share your insights about human nature or inclinations in the bicycling world. Your kind and considerate framing of these real situations is very sweet and appreciated. Thank you.
200 pound male cyclist who averages 6,000 miles a year. Getting kit that fits and looks good has been a problem forever. Euro size 3XL, US size XL\2XL. I get the side eye at a lot of events aces. I'm not fast, but haven't been DFL ever.
Most of my outdoor riding is on mountain bikes. I have found that the weekday riders will greet, encourage, and help. The weekend riders will typically ignore or grunt and seems like they are pushing to get their ride in with limited time.
Look at MTB wardrobes. There are also street clothes designed for cycling. But make sure you still have the chamois padding. Do you need to wear racing attire when you are not in a race? Lycra is aero etc. but it has hopeless abrasion resistance and can be a problem for self conscious body shapes. Try a ride with the street or MTB wear and see how it goes on a longer ride. If it works consider using it more often, especially on a bike packing trip. I live in a place where it is 35C+ for two or three months every year. SunSmart summer bicycle wear is cool and protects you from the sun even though it will have long sleeves and trousers and it is slightly baggy. It should allow good air flow so your sweat cools you in a breeze.
Thanks for addressing this issue and being so open about the work you had to do to get where you're comfortable. There is definitely a 'tiny bias' in the sport. I feel your pain on finding kit that fits. Double that problem when the rider is nearly 2m tall AND thicker than desired. The few kit makers that offer stuff big enough (barely) tend to call it 4XL or even 5XL which really tells the whole story right there. In 'normal' clothes, I wear an XL or maybe 2XL But to the bike industry that is "supergigantic" 🙂 BTW, you didn't mention it, but a similar problem with gear in general where many things aren't rated for over 100kg riders (which is a fit athletic weight for 195cm)
I wear XL most of the time... but my cycling clothes? 3XL at a minimum! LOL. And even though there are lots of snobby cyclists, I've found there are also lots of very encouraging and positive people out there who are very encouraging even though I'm not the most fit / cyclist looking.
I'm on the other side of the spectrum. I will never wear tight lycra with my skinny legs, so I wear MTB or casual shorts when I ride my road bike. But at the end of the day, regardless of how I look, I plan to keep cycling for a long time yet. I tend to be a loner, and do solo rides for the most part, but it's always far more enjoyable to ride with a friend or two. Thanks Katie!
I started cycling 5 years ago. I'm an extra short, under 4"11" and slightly curvy. Once I realized I loved cycling I went to upgrade from a flat bar bike to an endurance bike; it took me 4 years to find a bike that kind of fits me. Finding women specific bibs for those curvy hips, straps not extra long, or even gear that fits on my bike has been challenging. I absolutely love cycling and smile the whole time I am in the saddle.
I am Type two Diabetes. I cycle for fitness my main sport is sailing racing dinghy Class called a Fireball. You're right getting a wave you got to have the full cycling kit before you get a wave back. It's funny when I'm on my mountain bike not my road bike. The difference it makes . All my bikes are of British design. I just enjoy riding my Bikes I say hello to all cycles. Liking your videos. Bazza
I wave and say hello to everyone i see on bike. However there is a type that are obviously too ‘pro’ to wave back. They’re also the same type that will ignore you at the side of the road. I also agree about the stupid elitism and cliquy nature of the sport. I left my last cycling club because of the cliques. Be proud of who you are and enjoy what you do. 👍
i'm now 40. when i was 22 till 27 i raced for a local team and i was 49kgs. In the amateur part of the team there was a kid, with diabetes and strongly overweight but he pushed all himself to have fun with all of us. I remember a day the whole team went for a 250kms one way route for pilgrim and more then 4000d+, he never skip a beat, the faster us waited the slowest on top and brought them to the rest of the group, every time. This is a team and this has to be a cycling club.
Hi Katie another good video so true what you saying do what you can do it takes time look at you now you have too keep doing mile's l wish l had your job takecare the tour starts this Saturday night our time in Australia
There is a UK company called "Fat Lad at the Back" that make cycling gear for larger cyclists (men and women), It's good stuff and reasonably priced. Because they ONLY do larger sizes, a bit more thought has gone into it than just making the same cut but bigger, and the colours/patterns are designed to be a bit more flattering. Obviously, you have to have a sense of humour for some of the designs that proudly display the name across the jersey pocket, but they now do an "unbranded" range as well.
Thanks Katie, more people need to hear this. I've dealt with this toxicity for over 40 years. Being a big girl, climbs are really difficult but I will get to the top slowly. Nice that I can finally find some nice women's cycling clothes and not have to wear men's kit.
Great video. My biggest pet peeve is when I wave and say "good morning" I am ignored by the roadie in full high end kit. I ride a drop bar gravel bike now, when I rode a MTB I felt even more shunned. Treat others as you would like to be treated, then this world would be a much better place. I love your channel and your content.
ah dont get to bothered by it when im on my bike for instance I focused at the task at hand and dont look or smile at anyone, im riding 14$ clothes on a vintage 1996 trek so im in it for the sport not the high end kit but still id rather not talk
I’ve noticed this year that cyclists don’t say hi back and they generally look grumpy! I love being on my bike, it sorts my head space out and always give a smile and hi! I’m 50 not slim but since watching your videos don’t give one if I’m not in the latest castelli! In fact it has caused me to hunt out small brands that few have heard of, which have provided some awesome kit. I regularly give out tubes to stranded cyclists or help a new rider get back on the road! Great topic which definitely needs more attention.
