Time for Change

In this week's newsletter, we're taking a deeper dive into the inclusivity conversation, focusing on a critical but often overlooked aspect: ageism in cycling. We'll also share highlights from our recent EVERYbody ride, discuss our personal struggles with achieving work-life balance, and talk about some recent changes in our cycling gear. Finally, we'll introduce you to our new Strava group. So, buckle up, and let's jump right in!

Ageism - An Overlooked Barrier to Inclusivity

When we talk about inclusivity in cycling, the conversation often gravitates toward gender, body types, and physical capabilities. But what about age? Ageism – it's a term you've likely heard, but have you ever stopped to consider its impact on our sport?

(Photo by Jojo Harper)

In a stirring Instagram post, Joanna (@joanlswain) sheds light on this issue. As she admits to the challenges she faced while turning 65, she explains that it was not out of fear of aging or what it entails, but rather the impact of the societal pressures and the ageism that exists in our world. She said:

"Turning 65 has been an age that has been a challenge for me to admit… Not because I am afraid to age and not because I am afraid of what age has in for me. It's hard because I have allowed myself to be impacted by the ageism which exists in my world, which I have confronted starting around the age of 55..."

Her journey through time, from the second wave of feminism in the 60s and 70s to the present, reveals a continuous battle against discrimination and inequality. Yet, the fight against ageism, especially in sports and marketing, is one she feels she's waging alone.

As Joanna points out, we all need to recognize and celebrate all individuals' contributions, irrespective of their age. Age doesn't define our athletic abilities, intelligence, or fullness of life. We agree wholeheartedly. Age should never be a barrier in cycling or any other sport.

So, how can we bring about this change? We must collectively challenge brands across all industries, including cycling, to portray aging in a positive light. We must highlight that age is not a barrier to participating in sports, but rather another aspect of diversity we should celebrate.

EVERYbody Rides - Creating Inclusive Spaces

Speaking of inclusivity, let's talk about our recent EVERYbody ride. It's always a special event for us, reflecting our commitment to making cycling more inclusive, an ideal we share with Beau (@dadbod_cyclist), the inspiration behind these rides.

We took a route through the west of Hamburg and a bit into Schleswig-Holstein this time. We had a fantastic day despite the warm weather making the air stand still and parts of the path being washed up with dirt due to a short thunderstorm the previous day. While we were a small group, we hope to see many more of you in the next EVERYbody ride. It's a laid-back atmosphere designed to welcome all and inspire conversation. And yes, that includes cyclists of all ages!

To make sure you don't miss out on our next ride, consider joining the EVERYbody community on the @linkmyride app. We'll be announcing the next ride's date soon!

Balancing Act - Juggling Work and Life

The shift in our daily schedules has made finding a work-life balance a struggle. I (Björn) have found it particularly challenging. When your daily timetable shifts, it rips every aspect of your life. And you're left trying to re-balance everything. It's a juggling act that requires constant attention, and quite honestly, it can be exhausting. But I'm hopeful and committed to finding a rhythm that works for me.

We took on this topic in a video a few months ago. Maybe you haven't seen it yet. If you faced these struggles, we'd love to hear from you. Knowing we're not alone in these struggles is always comforting.

Join our Strava Community

As we navigate these hurdles, keeping the spirit of community alive is essential. We're excited to announce our newly founded Strava group! Join here! It's a place to connect, share our rides, and inspire each other to keep pedaling, regardless of our individual challenges. Please join us and help us grow this wonderful community!

Gear Update

And finally, we want to share a recent change in our cycling setup. We've swapped our stems for the Redshift ShockStop Suspension Stem. It promises a smoother, more comfortable ride, and we're excited to see if it lives up to the hype. We will be sharing our experiences with it soon.

Inclusivity in cycling isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Whether ageism, gender bias, body discrimination, or any other form of exclusion, we must recognize and tackle these barriers head-on. We're committed to this cause and, with your help, hope to make a difference.

Just a quick note before we sign off - if you enjoy our content and want to give us a high-five for our efforts, there are a couple of ways you can support us. You can go for a paid subscription right here on Substack. Or, you can head over to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page and, well, buy us a coffee! It's like a high-five for our efforts, just in the form of caffeine.

Every bit of support helps us keep the wheels spinning, and we're truly grateful for it. Thanks for being a part of our journey.

We're super lucky to get support and share our journey with some awesome brands. Velocio, Ribble Cycles, Kask, Koo, and Hammerhead - we're proud to be part of their community.

Stay awesome,
Jana & Björn