Alex Rides A Bike

It is, at minimum, a weekly occurrence that I get explosively mad at institutionalized sexism, specifically in the bike industry.  It is an enveloping reality, that I navigate sexism everyday of my life in one form or another.  When I got into riding bikes and racing, It was really a little haven for me to be able to bond with other woman and a lot of like-minded men and have some time to remove myself from that reality. However, as I’ve entrenched myself further into the industry and the good-ol’ fight for equality, my haven is often interrupted by assholes on the internet and beyond bringing me down. This week specifically, it was the news from the British Cycling Team and Shane Sutton, and the follow up from certain members of the international cycling community *cough cough* PETTER KENNAUGH, that really got my blood pressure up. 

Common concerns peons have about woman racing:

Women don't deserve the same prize money because we don't attract the same revenue.

Women don't deserve the same prize money because our races are often shorter than the mens races.

Women don’t deserve prize money because we’re women. 

Women can’t race a longer course because we’re women.

Women need women’s specific bikes. IE, a men’s bike that is pink with shittier parts on it for the same price as then ‘mens’ version.

Women can’t possibly compete at the same level as men because we are emotional, menstruating, weak-willed catty individuals. 

I’m really only going to touch on 1-3 here because I feel the rest of it shouldn’t need to be explained. As far as point 4 is concerned, If we are going to talk out of context about the genetics/evolution/physiology between men and woman in sports, lets just pay Cheetahs the most. 

Prize money in racing.  It’s a hot topic and a sensitive one.  Also a topic that has come up a lot on my twitter recently. I truly feel like a lot of this disconnect comes from the sentiment “this is how its always been.”  In Mountain Bikes and most CX races I've taken part of, it’s never been a question.  Prize money is the same for the Pro races. Fact. In road and some CX races, I feel like we have a lot of promoters who don't want to pay equal because they never have had to before. The women’s fields were small or didn't exist years ago.  Now women’s racing is flourishing, fields are large, we have a lot more presence. 

As far as attracting the same revenue, I look to woman’s soccer and in bikes, the hour record most recently attempted by Evelyn Stevens. If promotors and marketers give us the platform to stand on and the coverage to shine, we will. 

This little exchange was from yesterday and I went on a rampage retweeting a bunch of sexist garbage. Where would I like that money to come from? In most instances, I think offering equal prize money is the onus of the promotor. Don't host a race you cant afford. If you are offering prize money based on reg numbers though, my only comment is A rising tide raises all ships.  If you have $2000 to split between fields on race day, start at the top and equal it out between the men and woman. Each of those fields get $500 and you can divvy out the rest between your Masters fields that inevitably have lower reg numbers than the cat4 woman’s field. Also save yourself some money and don't give prize money to cat4-5s of any gender.  Give them medals, they don't deserve money yet. 

Kind of like your tax money, you as an individual, shouldn't/dont have a say how your reg fee is spent. If you are a shitty man and go to register for a race and say “i don't want my reg money going to women’s racing because i wont watch it” youre an asshole.  And thats basically what Fuck-Face McGee above was getting at.  

My participation in a race shouldn’t be defined by money, especially when my cost to race is the same as the men in my category. My effort while racing, even if my course is shorter, is no less than my male counter-parts. My cost to race, maintain my equipment, and live as a human being is the same as a man. Saying that my financial worth as an athlete begins and ends on a race course is short-sighted and insanely selfish. “Sexist” is the word I’m looking for. 

The be-all and end-all of this, is don't be sexist. We all have a moral obligation as members of the same species to not be dicks. And honestly, if you see some shit at a race fucking say something.  Call a dude out.  You see a dude giving a beginner woman a hard time during a race or heckling inappropriately on the side lines, STAND UP TO THEM. Don’t let them be shitty without repercussion. You are not an ally if you dismiss oppression to a cause that doesn't effect you. 

In closing, Women are great. 

Dear World,

It’s me, Alex Carlson. I’m a 28 year old illustrator and amateur bike racer. A few weeks ago I started what feels like a new chapter in my life, for a lot of reasons.  I got a new job, recently moved, and started coaching with Cycle-Smart for Cyclocross.  

This is me putting into writing my feeling about bikes over the next however long.  I have a lot of feelings about bikes; both about my personal journey and the global community in which I exist. I’m going to write about those feelings and be as honest as I’m comfortable with through this blog. I’m considering this a tool of expression to help me get over a lot of hang-ups I have with myself and with riding; however, this is not a cry for validation.  If there are beginner cyclists and athletes out there who deal with the same shit I do, I hope I and other like me can make you feel less alone.  I want people to understand how completely average I am and how much I dream to not be so average in a few years. 

To give a little context about myself:

As of writing this I am 28 years old.  I feel like I’m ‘old’ to just be starting on a track to semi-professional cycling.

I’m 135lbs. When I was a teenager I was closer to 170lbs. I do not think I need to lose weight. That being said, I have some pretty fucked up body dysmorphia and I’m sure on occasion that will be a point of conversation as I write posts through the year. 

I’ve spent a lot of my young-adult life being sick. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 18. To get diagnosed with cervical cancer that young is basically unheard of. It was identified early and I never had to go through chemo or radiation. I did have to go through hormone treatments and a lot of really invasive procedures that have left a lot of invisible damage both physically and mentally. As of April of 2014, I’ve had a clean bill of health. On occasion thanks to the years of treatment, I still feel like a burning pile of garbage, especially when I’m on my period. 

I had never been athletic prior to getting on a bike.  Even then, I didn't start competing until 2014. I was not encouraged to join in sports when I was a kid.  I had asthma and couldn't run without crying. To be able to do any kind of racing at the level I am, is already a gift to me. 

Being able to race and compete is something I do not take for granted. When I don't or can't preform at my very best, I’m my worst enemy. I have not done a good job of accepting my off days or weeks. I think because I spent so long unable to do much of anything, I go full force as often as I can now. I have a really hard time feeling worthy of my ability to do things and do them well. I question if I deserve my equipment, my support, and my team, all the time.  I know the answer to that question is that I unconditional do deserve them.  Not because I’ve won anything with them or because I think I’m better for it, but because this is what I’ve set out to do for myself.  

Cycling has been my tool to better my quality of life and surround myself with people who equally increase my happiness.  I’ve hardly ever experienced such elation and crushing defeat doing the same thing on different days. Unlike anything else I’ve done in the past or present, the winning and losing still makes me want to get up and try again.  I want to overcome my bad days.  I want to get on the podium.  I want to be the best Alex I can be.

I don't know how often I’ll write, as often as I find things to talk about.  Probably more come the fall with the CX season in full swing.  I am open to questions and dialogue about any of the things I write about.