Name: Erin
Nickname: Gibbs, E-rawk!
Star sign/Blood type: Virgo
Birthday: September 13
Current city: Vancouver, BC, Canada
What’s the bike scene like in Vancouver for females?
It’s a mix, and there’s something for everyone. We’ve got sporty riders in gortex, roadies in spandex, trendy kids on their fixies, messengers, fairweather riders on their old clunker city bikes, year-round riders on hybrid or adapted bikes, freak bikers, cargo bikers, recumbent gangs, vintage cruisers and anything else you can think of.
In any of these groups, there are women riding, however they are outnumbered by men. Our current city council embraces cycling and we’ve had several great changes to our road system just in the past year, with more to come, backed by a $25 million budget. More and more women are riding in the city, which is an indication that the bike routes, paths and signage is getting better and safer. And when more women bike, more kids bike, too, which helps us move to a less car-dependent future.
Women are making great change for bikers in our city. A few of groups in Vancouver that are all-female run, or have a strong female voice are:
PEDAL: http://www.pedalpower.org/
Prohab Helmet Society: http://prohabhelmets.wordpress.com/
The B:C:Clettes: http://bcclettes.ca/
Vancouver and Area Cycling Coalition: http://www.vacc.bc.ca/
What’s your favourite ride right now?
Well, the one that gets the most action is my Devinci St. Tropez, which is a workhorse bike for everywhere/year-round riders like me. I can go light and fast without my panniers, or load up for a week-long camping trip. My other three bikes (a foldie, city bike and 80′s road bike) are parked and ready for when the weather is fair.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?
My daily commute to work. It’s a 15 to 20 minute delight with a few other bikers here and there, very few cars, lots of greenery, and not many hills! I arrive at work ready for the day and at the end of day, my mind is clear and ready for fun. My only complaint is that it’s a little too short of a ride.
For an overnight trip, I love the ride/ferry trip from Vancouver over to Vancouver Island, riding up-Island, over to Denman Island, riding across Denman Island and finally ferrying over to the lovely Hornby Island. There are pubs and charming junk shops along the way, and the pay-off is the amazing scenery, people and relaxation to be enjoyed on Hornby Island.
Favourite riding outfit:
Knee-high boots, a dress, my bright red coat (for style and visibility) and one of my many helmets. Some vintage gloves are nice too, when it’s a bit cold out. Wool is my friend during the drizzly winter months and keeps me dry and cozy.
Favourite food: anything from Bandidas Taqueria (run by two local female bikers). Their breakfast is divine! http://bandidastaqueria.com/
Favourite movie: Big Night, The Royal Tenenbaums, Amelie
Favourite book: Knitting Without Tears – an amazing reference book for knitters
What makes you laugh? Dancing with my ladies at B:C:Clettes practice, my amazing fella, ridiculous animals caught on tape
What makes you angry? Oh, the list is long, but it usually involves people who are in their own little bubble, unaware of how inconsiderate they are to others.
What are you listening to on your I-pod? Hannah Georgas (local indie singer/songwriter from Vancouver)
Do you have any pets? Oh, touchy subject – Can’t have any kitties in our apartment building!
Catch Erin on:
Blog: florenceann.com
Twitter: @Florence_Ann
