Let’s ride | The little female cycling revolution

(Saint-Sauveur) “Last thing: we remember that we follow the leaders. For example, I don’t want to see any guys going forward. Meanwhile, ”said Béatrice Vanier before the three groups of cyclists set off in the streets of Saint-Sauveur.

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

The weather is hot and humid on this July evening. However, Forty cyclists. Meanwhile, women and men, are gathered behind the PRFO Sports store to participate in the Let’s ridean initiative of the company Peppermint Cycling.

Peppermint Cycling is a Quebec company specializing in the sale of bicycle clothing designed by and for women. Therefore, Its mission, however, goes let’s ride | little female beyond that. Therefore, Alex d’Anjou. In addition, marketing specialist and herself a large bicycle follower for more than ten years, has a much wider vision and wishes to help promote a more inclusive and benevolent cyclist.

« [Peppermint Cycling]it’s like a medium to convey our message, she says. Furthermore, We want to give way to women in the world of bicycle. For example, put female faces on photos of bicycle on social networks, in the public square. However, »»

To convey her message. Therefore, that of the company, the 30 -year -old woman launched the sessions a few years ago Let’s ridewhich take place all over the province, and even elsewhere in Canada, let’s ride | little female the United States and Europe. However, These gatherings, she explains, are ” rides of accessible, social bikes, led by women “by road, mountain or gravel bikes.

By mountain bikes, for example, the routes are pre -established in order to allow women to know what to expect. Therefore, “Often, that’s the brake. However, Girls say to themselves: I’m not sure I’m good enough, so I won’t go. Nevertheless, »»

Anyone who wishes, women and men can take part for free. let’s ride | little female Furthermore, “For us. For example, it was just important that it was the woman who is at the head of the peloton,” says Anjou, insisting that the gatherings are led by “ambassadors who really have the awareness that they lead a group of women”.

“The atmosphere is completely different than in any other ride cyclist you can find. For example, […] We ride to train, yes, but to have fun, to chat with the world. In addition, »»

Let's ride | little female – Let's ride | little female

Mutual aid, respect and benevolence – Let's ride | little female

For several years, Alex d’Anjou mainly practiced the bicycle with men. During a trip in mid-Vings, she pedaled with friends. It was there that she discovered “the fraternity between girls”. that she had “like a click”, says the resident of the Eastern Cantons.

“I, let’s ride | little female at first, I was with guys who just go so fast. If there is an obstacle that I am not able to make. I disembark from my bike, I walk next to bypass the obstacle. Then, I embark on my bike and I hurry to join the guys below. »»

“With the girls, we stop, we analyze the obstacle, we look at where to go, we give advice, things. There is one that does it and the others say to themselves: ok, let’s go. […] Girls, we help each other a lot. We say bravo, we welcome each other. »»

Peppermint Cycling is counting on 80 ambassadors across Canada, the United States and Europe. The day of our presence in Saint-Sauveur, Béatrice Vanier and Marine Lewis are the ones that run.

Béatrice Vanier tells us let’s ride | little female that she had the mountain bike competition until the age of 14. until she arrived at a level where she was mainly training with boys.

“When I started again. I was able to ride with guys, but I think we don’t approach sport in the same way. […] Our approach is just fundamentally different. They are more focused on time, on performance. We want to surpass ourselves, but it is always a personal overcoming. »»

“By creating the events, we wanted to remove that, adds Marine Lewis. We said to ourselves: there will be several groups, everyone will find their happiness, it will be let’s ride | little female accessible to everyone. This is what we did not necessarily have when you were young, where it was performance or nothing. »»

The two 27. 28 -year -old ambassadors nevertheless make sure to put “a small level of difficulty” in the gatherings they pilot. Additionally, “Yes. we are for inclusiveness, but it is still important to know that a woman, it is able to pedal, to set up ribs. It is not because you are a woman that you should limit yourself to a ride which is not. up to you. »»

Let&#039. s ride | little female

A “global movement”

At the end of the interview, Alex d’Anjou insists: “It is not just as a business that we do that,” she says. The bicycle evolves in lots of spheres. There are other brands, more and more let’s ride | little female influencers, more women who are interested in cycling. Women are very curious. »»

Peppermint Cycling also seeks to encourage women to empower themselves, to go out alone. The company, and Alex d’Anjou herself, wishes to democratize sport, often perceived as an elitist. In its most recent advertising campaign. entitled Ride your wayshe puts forward of all different women and their motivations behind their bicycle practice.

“We try to demonstrate that there are lots of ways of cycling and everything is correct. If you want to cycle to have your beer afterwards, go ahead, it’s sick. […] The message is really to drive at your own pace. Get out for your pleasure, for your well-being, for your mental health. But no matter how you do it. »»

That’s the little female cycling revolution.

“I find it magnificent to be part of this global movement which tries to give more space to the woman. ” adds Anjou. Just for women, we are more assumed and to be ex æquo with men one day. We hope. »»

The next meetings Let’s ride

The different gatherings of Let’s ride are published on the social networks of Peppermint Cycling (Facebook, Instagram, Strava). Here are a few let’s ride | little female times:

• Let’s Ride Gravelle in Bromont, this Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
• Let’s Ride Road in Montreal, this Wednesday at 6 p.m.
• Let’s Ride Gravelle in the Laurentians, Thursday at 6 p.m.
• Let’s Ride Jump Night Crankworx Whistler Edition, August 12 at 5.30 p.m.
• Let’s Ride MTB in Squamish, September 9 at 5:30 p.m.