This is just awesome to watch.
I'm definitely inspired to ride this weekend!
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
20131024
Womens' Cycling in Saudi Arabia
Yesterday I came across an article that really resonated with me.
"Saudi Arabian women are readying themselves for a national day of protest on October 26 against laws that prohibit them from riding bikes."
I can't possibly imagine what it must be like being denied something as simple as riding a bicycle. I suppose in the grand scheme of things and all of the oppression that women suffer in Saudi Arabia that it's a small thing, but to not be ever to experience that joy...that's just sad. And then the trailer posted for a related film made me even sadder.
Wadjda Official Trailer from Razor Film on Vimeo.
Seeing that little girl just wanting to ride with her friend really hit me hard, and though women are legally allowed to ride bicycles, the restrictions are utterly ridiculous. Also, that law was only passed quite recently - I imagine that during filming (this is the first film filmed in Saudi Arabia, by the way) that the law was not yet in effect.
Many women have already started to try to change things by protesting - such as driving, at the risk of being arrested. My hope is that the protests on Saturday will be peaceful and result in change rather than arrests, but it remains to be seen. And, to clarify - this isn't just a protest for riding bicycles, but also for the right to drive and generally transport oneself.
Good luck to all of the women in Saudi Arabia on October 26th and in all future endeavors - ride on, ladies!
"Saudi Arabian women are readying themselves for a national day of protest on October 26 against laws that prohibit them from riding bikes."
I can't possibly imagine what it must be like being denied something as simple as riding a bicycle. I suppose in the grand scheme of things and all of the oppression that women suffer in Saudi Arabia that it's a small thing, but to not be ever to experience that joy...that's just sad. And then the trailer posted for a related film made me even sadder.
Wadjda Official Trailer from Razor Film on Vimeo.
Seeing that little girl just wanting to ride with her friend really hit me hard, and though women are legally allowed to ride bicycles, the restrictions are utterly ridiculous. Also, that law was only passed quite recently - I imagine that during filming (this is the first film filmed in Saudi Arabia, by the way) that the law was not yet in effect.
Many women have already started to try to change things by protesting - such as driving, at the risk of being arrested. My hope is that the protests on Saturday will be peaceful and result in change rather than arrests, but it remains to be seen. And, to clarify - this isn't just a protest for riding bicycles, but also for the right to drive and generally transport oneself.
Good luck to all of the women in Saudi Arabia on October 26th and in all future endeavors - ride on, ladies!
20130724
That chainring could eat children
I know that this has been on every bike blog today, but it's so freaking cool. It's most definitely worth the watch if you haven't seen it yet.
Experiments in Speed from SpindleProductions on Vimeo.
I love the bars that he built - looks like Nitto Tsubasas!
Experiments in Speed from SpindleProductions on Vimeo.
I love the bars that he built - looks like Nitto Tsubasas!
20130110
On Sexism and Jeans: A Rant
UPDATE: REI's Novara line now offers a full section of commuter clothing for women! Including jeans. Props to Novara for stepping up and being the first line to offer a whole set of equal options for both men and women!
It was during a a rigorous Tuesday laundry session that I noticed my jeans are getting to a state much like that of tissue paper, mostly in the area that sees the most contact with my saddle. My rule with jeans is that if I can see through them, it's time for a new pair, and I'd heard some buzz from various other blogs about cycling jeans made by various companies, so I decided to spend a little time digging up reviews.
There's definitely a group of people who think cycling jeans are stupid and unnecessary, and while I do somewhat agree and think any clothing is good for riding, there are three little words that get me to sway the other direction: seamless, reinforced crotch. Seamless.
Plus, the little add-ons: reflection, stretchiness, and knee room, amongst others, had me intrigued. Jeans are expensive, and if I'm going to be spending an arm and a leg anyway, why not opt for something more beneficial to me than just pants?
So in my research, I found two things:
- (Most) Cycling jeans are actually pretty freaking awesome
and
- Nobody makes them for women
Reiterating on that:
NOBODY MAKES CYCLING JEANS FOR WOMEN.
Now, I would venture to say that a few years ago there wasn't quite as much of a market for women's cycling jeans - not that the market was by any means non-existent, it just hadn't exploded like is has in recent years. And still it is male dominated, but not nearly as much as it used to be - come to SF, we've got plenty of lady riders out here.
That aside, the fact is that nearly half of the ridership I see these days is female, and many of them (myself often included) ride in street clothes. There are a few companies that make cycling knickers for women, and as nice as that is, it sure as hell ain't optimal for the low thirties we've been getting here in the mornings, not to mention winter in general. But I guess there's some sort of predisposition that everyone at these companies thinks women who do ride only ride in cute skirts or sundresses or similar bullshit (nothing against skirts or dresses - you get my point), and, well, not jeans.
"But," I've been asked, as I tend to complain about this to everyone who will listen, "why not just get a pair of the men's style?" And as much as I would like to be able to, seeing as I've been told the Rapha Jeans are life-changing and bring you eternal happiness, I have an ass. And hips. Which equates to a combination that doesn't work with men's clothing - believe me, I've tried.
The closest equivalent I've found are Hincapie Athletic Jeans, which at least get a shout out for having a women's line, but aren't cycling jeans per se. I've been told there are small companies that do make them for women, but I haven't been able to find anything.
The point here though is less about jeans, and more about the blatant sexism in assuming only men rides bikes.
And I am not alone in my rage.
I did write to Levi's, and they did say they would pass their message onto their marketing department, which I'd like to be optimistic about. I am also planning to write to Rapha, Muxu, SWRVE, and a few others. A few other bloggers have also inquired, some who received the response that there wasn't enough of a market.
Maybe there isn't enough of a market because the market is so damn sexist. Maybe.
I would really like to hope that Levi's claim that they were just "testing the market" is true, but this advert seems so blatantly geared towards men (not even anyone riding with a girlfriend? Come on!) that I don't know.
I could go on, but it's all been said, and I've probably been beating a dead horse for the past three paragraphs anyway.
So this weekend when I go out to replace my disintegrating jeans, it looks like I won't be getting to replace them with the same style my male friends have been able to.
My dreams of a seamless crotch seem to far away.
It was during a a rigorous Tuesday laundry session that I noticed my jeans are getting to a state much like that of tissue paper, mostly in the area that sees the most contact with my saddle. My rule with jeans is that if I can see through them, it's time for a new pair, and I'd heard some buzz from various other blogs about cycling jeans made by various companies, so I decided to spend a little time digging up reviews.
There's definitely a group of people who think cycling jeans are stupid and unnecessary, and while I do somewhat agree and think any clothing is good for riding, there are three little words that get me to sway the other direction: seamless, reinforced crotch. Seamless.
Plus, the little add-ons: reflection, stretchiness, and knee room, amongst others, had me intrigued. Jeans are expensive, and if I'm going to be spending an arm and a leg anyway, why not opt for something more beneficial to me than just pants?
So in my research, I found two things:
- (Most) Cycling jeans are actually pretty freaking awesome
and
- Nobody makes them for women
Reiterating on that:
NOBODY MAKES CYCLING JEANS FOR WOMEN.
Now, I would venture to say that a few years ago there wasn't quite as much of a market for women's cycling jeans - not that the market was by any means non-existent, it just hadn't exploded like is has in recent years. And still it is male dominated, but not nearly as much as it used to be - come to SF, we've got plenty of lady riders out here.
That aside, the fact is that nearly half of the ridership I see these days is female, and many of them (myself often included) ride in street clothes. There are a few companies that make cycling knickers for women, and as nice as that is, it sure as hell ain't optimal for the low thirties we've been getting here in the mornings, not to mention winter in general. But I guess there's some sort of predisposition that everyone at these companies thinks women who do ride only ride in cute skirts or sundresses or similar bullshit (nothing against skirts or dresses - you get my point), and, well, not jeans.
"But," I've been asked, as I tend to complain about this to everyone who will listen, "why not just get a pair of the men's style?" And as much as I would like to be able to, seeing as I've been told the Rapha Jeans are life-changing and bring you eternal happiness, I have an ass. And hips. Which equates to a combination that doesn't work with men's clothing - believe me, I've tried.
The closest equivalent I've found are Hincapie Athletic Jeans, which at least get a shout out for having a women's line, but aren't cycling jeans per se. I've been told there are small companies that do make them for women, but I haven't been able to find anything.
The point here though is less about jeans, and more about the blatant sexism in assuming only men rides bikes.
And I am not alone in my rage.
I did write to Levi's, and they did say they would pass their message onto their marketing department, which I'd like to be optimistic about. I am also planning to write to Rapha, Muxu, SWRVE, and a few others. A few other bloggers have also inquired, some who received the response that there wasn't enough of a market.
Maybe there isn't enough of a market because the market is so damn sexist. Maybe.
I would really like to hope that Levi's claim that they were just "testing the market" is true, but this advert seems so blatantly geared towards men (not even anyone riding with a girlfriend? Come on!) that I don't know.
I could go on, but it's all been said, and I've probably been beating a dead horse for the past three paragraphs anyway.
So this weekend when I go out to replace my disintegrating jeans, it looks like I won't be getting to replace them with the same style my male friends have been able to.
My dreams of a seamless crotch seem to far away.
20120224
Carbon Vs. Aluminum
An enjoyable video that I found on carbon vs. aluminum!
I've always been a fan of steel, and it seems like there's all sorts of carbon horror stories, but this restores my faith a bit. I would love to see a comparison of certain types of carbon though...
Get out and ride this weekend!
2012 Distance Count: 337 Miles | 542.4 Kilometers
20120217
Stop Signs
Alright, there's gonna be a rant. So for those of you who prefer something a bit more light hearted on this lovely Friday, here's a hilarious video of freestyling with an old steel step through frame.
Now that you've seen that masterpiece, I'll rant.
It seems like what we need is more education. For both motorists and cyclists, really, because lets face it - there are an equal number of ignorant people out there on both sides. Yes, there are plenty of angry motorists who rage at the cyclist legally taking the lane, but there are also a fair share of stop sign running loonies who cut off otherwise people driving perfectly legally.
Yesterday I was riding and something interesting happened. I stopped at a stop sign and was honked at by the car behind me. There was another stop sign a few feet further up, and I stopped again. The car behind me angrily honked twice before speeding off after I proceeded through the intersection. This was not the first time I was honked at for stopping at a sign when I was legally supposed to. I don't run stop signs.
So we've got a class of motorists who get angry at cyclists for stopping at signs and obeying the law. Fantastic.
We've also got a class of motorists who are obviously (and rightfully so) miffed at the cyclists who blatantly run the stop signs. Now, there's a difference in running a stop sign when there's no one else at the intersection...and running them when the four way intersection is full and backed up. And to be fair, these cyclists royally piss me off too, whether I'm in my car or on my bike. People seem to expect cyclists to run signs - I can't tell you how many times I've come to an intersection and motorists wait, despite the fact they have the right of way, and seem completely baffled when I come to a stop and wave them through. It seems to completely throw them off.
When I do happen to be riding with another cyclist who I see running stops, politely informing them that they should be stopping usually yields little more than a rude gesture or ignorant shrug. I've only ever met one other cyclist who stopped at the stop signs with me - and we exchanged mutual respect for each other.
We need more education. Cyclists need to know that bikes have to follow the same rules as cars, for stop signs as well as other things. Motorists need to know that we are not only supposed to stop, but stopping and waving us through when it's not our right of way (though appreciated) can be dangerous.
Come on guys, we're better than this. If we demand the same rights as cars, we need to follow the rules. Stop at the stop signs. If that's too hard for you because it is so difficult to get moving once I stop then at least freaking stop at intersections where there are cars. Have I mentioned I hate that argument? That it takes too much energy to stop? Really?
Yesterday I was riding and something interesting happened. I stopped at a stop sign and was honked at by the car behind me. There was another stop sign a few feet further up, and I stopped again. The car behind me angrily honked twice before speeding off after I proceeded through the intersection. This was not the first time I was honked at for stopping at a sign when I was legally supposed to. I don't run stop signs.
So we've got a class of motorists who get angry at cyclists for stopping at signs and obeying the law. Fantastic.
We've also got a class of motorists who are obviously (and rightfully so) miffed at the cyclists who blatantly run the stop signs. Now, there's a difference in running a stop sign when there's no one else at the intersection...and running them when the four way intersection is full and backed up. And to be fair, these cyclists royally piss me off too, whether I'm in my car or on my bike. People seem to expect cyclists to run signs - I can't tell you how many times I've come to an intersection and motorists wait, despite the fact they have the right of way, and seem completely baffled when I come to a stop and wave them through. It seems to completely throw them off.
When I do happen to be riding with another cyclist who I see running stops, politely informing them that they should be stopping usually yields little more than a rude gesture or ignorant shrug. I've only ever met one other cyclist who stopped at the stop signs with me - and we exchanged mutual respect for each other.
We need more education. Cyclists need to know that bikes have to follow the same rules as cars, for stop signs as well as other things. Motorists need to know that we are not only supposed to stop, but stopping and waving us through when it's not our right of way (though appreciated) can be dangerous.
Come on guys, we're better than this. If we demand the same rights as cars, we need to follow the rules. Stop at the stop signs. If that's too hard for you because it is so difficult to get moving once I stop then at least freaking stop at intersections where there are cars. Have I mentioned I hate that argument? That it takes too much energy to stop? Really?
And motorists: we have certain rights to the road. Yes, I know some of us can be pretentious dicks, but every time you blow a sign, go over the speed limit, cut one of us off, or don't signal, you're disobeying the law as well.
2012 Distance Count: 309 Miles | 497.3 Kilometers
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