Sharing the ride with Black Girls Do Bike outings
Southland women promote benefits of group cycling
A group of almost 50 African-American women recently gather on a cold winter night at a bicycle shop in Homewood to discuss their shared interest in bicycling.
They also were there to battle misconceptions at the meeting of the Chicago chapter of Black Girls Do Bike. But leaders Celeste Adams and Kathy Gray said the club is mostly about sharing their experiences of the physical and psychological perks of group cycling with their peers.
Though the Chicago chapter originally was formed in 2014, it had become inactive until the two south suburban women took charge in 2018. Adams “revitalized” the chapter, she said, and then asked Gray to come on board.
“We were trying to get women to come together, talk about cycling, what prevents you from cycling, why youwant to ride in the first place,” said Adams, who lives in Frankfort. “Many say they can’t go that far, can’t ride that long.
“So we said, ‘ We have rides for all capabilities, novice rides, intermediate rides and advanced rides.’ ”
Black Girls Do Bike was founded by Monica Garrison in Philadelphia when she was commuting to work by bike and realized how few black women were cycling. Shewrote in a blog about the scarcity of blackwomen biking.
Garrison’s effort mobilized others throughout the nation, including the local club. The Chicago chapter now includes 600 women and holds group rides throughout the state. Peoria also has a Black Girls Do Bike chapter, and the two Illinois groups are part of 84 chapters nationally and in Antigua.
“Different people all over said, they do,” Adams said. “Then somebody said, ‘Is it OK if I start a group here?’ ”
The two leaders are proud that the national biking organization will hold its 2020 meeting over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago. The 2019 national meeting will be in Milwaukee.
Gray, who lives in Flossmoor, said many people don’t know the intricacies of group cycling. The group rides “pace lines,” in which a person in front takes the wind for everyone and the other people in line are “drafting.” She is a ride leader aswell as a “sleeper” — the last cycler in a line who makes sure no riders are left behind.
“There’s different terminology you have to learn when you become a cyclist,” Gray said. “Cycling is a whole different world that a lot of people don’t understand.”
But, Gray said, the benefits are many.
“Cycling serves as a form of exercise for me personally, it serves as a form of therapy, a form of socialization, and it’s our time as women to just have some time,” she said.
The Chicago chapter’s next ride isMarch 31 in the parking lot of GoodSpeed Cycles in Homewood, where the groupmet for its winter meeting.
Steve Buchtel, who handles events for GoodSpeed Cycles, said the business was happy to host events for cyclers.
“We also think it makes the south suburbs a better place to live to have people who are biking,” Buchtel said.
“Getting out and biking makes people happier, healthier, and we all get along better.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.