About Me
As a LGBTQ+ woman in the outdoor industry, I am all too familiar with the negative space created within the male centric shop environment. I was introduced to the bike industry just about 4 years ago. I started off knowing nothing about bikes. I could ride one but had never mountain biked, didn’t know the parts, didn’t know how to change a flat, etc.
As I became introduced to mountain biking, I was intimidated by how much information there was to absorb and how limited resources were. Regardless, I became obsessed and have tried to learn and learn and learn. This knowledge sparked a fire within me and has changed the person I am today as mountain biking has taught me so much about life and given me this confidence and freedom that I hope to share with other women and GNC folks!
Empowering Female and Non-Binary mountain bikers
Often times men in a mountain biking environment can be intimidating as they tend to have a ridiculous amount of knowledge and expectation surrounding bikes. This results in them talking way over the customer’s head or talking down to them entirely. Unfortunately, the non-male presenting clientele receives the brunt of this type of “customer service”. Even if a woman or GNC person goes into a store knowing exactly what they are looking for or talking about, this treatment is commonplace and makes it so they never want to go back.
I have heard and observed on multiple occasions that a woman or GNC folk is no longer supporting a business due to how they were treated by a male employee. This frustration often extends to the trail as well. Male riding partners although they can be great, can also be a source of limitation as they have lower expectations of non-male presenting riding skills and mechanic abilities when things break. This continues to break down confidence and pushes us away from this amazing sport. As a female outdoor enthusiast, I am exhausted and disappointed by the lack of inclusion and feel compelled to bridge the gap.
Sleppy’s Cycles aims to empower female and non-binary mountain bikers through education. Being able to understand the components of your bike and how they work will give you more confidence in the shop environment and on trail. Knowing how to make simple repairs on trail will provide you with the independence to not rely on anyone else on your rides and allow you the freedom to ride wherever, whenever, and with whomever you please!!
Sleppy’s Cycles focuses on empowering women and gender non-conforming cyclists not only through education but, through community and support! I hope to connect the Bellingham mountain bike community so that women and GNC folks can find new riding partners that support and inspire one another on and off the trail!