It’s International Women’s Day again, and it’s my [Hannah] least favourite day of the year.
If you do nothing, everyone wonders where your IWD content is, and thinks you don’t care.
If you do something pointing out it’s all a bit crap and tokenistic, and look at the ongoing inequality, and wonder when things will actually change, people will say ‘well, that’s all a bit negative, why don’t you celebrate all the good stuff that’s happening instead?’.
If you do something that celebrates women… well, that’s no different to what we do all the time.
The latest issue of Singletrack World is packed full of articles by women and articles about women. But none of it is for women. It’s for everyone. It’s just what we do, every day, year in, year out.
To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, staffers Hannah, Amanda and Zoe have picked some favourite articles each from over the years. We’ve dropped the paywall on them so you can have a peek at what we do. If you like it, join us, in print or digital, and help keep us celebrating women, and all who ride bikes, every day of the year.
Amanda’s pick
If I could choose to share the entire series of Purposeful Adventures I would, because they’re all wonderful in different ways. The series is about Pete Scullion and his friends heading out for a ride with a nature-based agenda. The search for a certain animal, plant or rock is the motivation for each ride, but there’s no sacrifice made on the mountain biking side of things, always with a fun route. It’s a great motivator to go out for a ride and take a proper look around you, appreciate the woodland, the coastlines, the critters and the company you keep.
I’ve chosen to share the Beavers story as it features (heavily pregnant) Rosie Holdsworth, whose infectious love of animals and caring for your environment is one I’ve experienced first hand.
Zoe’s pick
I really liked the Making Mountain Bikers article by Hannah, in issue 145. I like this article because it resonates with me and my ability or inability to mountain bike. It made me feel like it’s ok to be a total novice and not understand even the basics of riding a bike.
Hannah’s pick
This story has nothing to do with International Women’s Day, but riding with women often leads to in depth chats about all sorts of things away from bikes. This is a relatively old article – published, I think, before it became as acceptable to talk about mental health. I often say that bikes are just what bring us all around the campfire, but once we’re there all of life comes with us and gets talked about. This story combines adventure, sadness, hope and disappointment all in one epic bundle. I love stories that go beyond the bike, and this one has stuck with me.
On a completely different tone, here’s one that’s all about the fun of living the dream: #vanlife. Escape to the mountains… yes please!
While you’re here…
I’ve had so many women say to me ‘How did you see inside my life?’ – and not just mountain bikers – that I think it’s worth drawing attention to this article from the archive once again.
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