Five years ago, as I was recovering from my surgery, "Velouria" of Lovely Bicycle! suggested that I start a bike blog. (Now you know who to blame!;-)) At the time, I had been writing Transwoman Times for a bit less than two years. When I started Midlife Cycling in June of 2010, I thought TT would run its course and I'd keep it online for posterity--or, perhaps, revisit it from time to time.
Well, nearly five years later, TT is still going. I can't seem to let it go. That may be because its focus shifted from my own experience of transitioning, surgery and starting my new life to LGBT-related subjects in general. Not only that, I can't seem to keep trans (or L, G, or B) themes out of this blog any more than I could keep cycling out of Transwoman Times.
Once again, those aspects of my life are going to meet--in this post. You see, I came across something from The Most Cake, a blog by and about young and hip lesbians in London.
While I've noticed a number of young lesbians and genderqueers (or people who simply don't fit into most accepted definitions of gender and sexuality) at bike-related events and establishments here in The Big Apple, it seems that there is a more prominent subculture of lesbian cyclists in the British capital. At least, that's the impression I get from The Most Cake and from things I've heard from people who've been in London more recently than I've been. I can't say I'm surprised, really.
Anyway, according to the author of the post that caught my eye, there are five distinct types of lesbian cyclists in The Big Smoke:
1. Aggressive girls in Lycra
2. Eco-warrior on self-built touring bike
3. Feminist cyclist with a cause
4. Fixie lesbian with tatoos and piercings
5. The catch-all lesbian cyclist who cycles because she likes it and it's better than public transport or walking or micro-scootering.
Hmm...Had I been living as female earlier in my life, I definitely would have been 1, possibly 3 and/or 4. Of course, if I'd started living as a woman when I was 20, I wouldn't have been wearing Lycra, as it wasn't yet available. But I would/could have been the equivalent of type #1.
If I had to classify myself today from any of those types, I'd say I'm number five, with some of number three thrown in. And, perhaps, number two--after all, I've built a touring bike of my own and I try to do what's environmentally sustainable.
But I don't plan on getting any tatoos or any more piercings than I already have (on my earlobes). Or to wear Lycra again, even if I lose weight. But I do plan to keep on riding. And, perhaps, I'll meet Ms. Right.
Well, nearly five years later, TT is still going. I can't seem to let it go. That may be because its focus shifted from my own experience of transitioning, surgery and starting my new life to LGBT-related subjects in general. Not only that, I can't seem to keep trans (or L, G, or B) themes out of this blog any more than I could keep cycling out of Transwoman Times.
Once again, those aspects of my life are going to meet--in this post. You see, I came across something from The Most Cake, a blog by and about young and hip lesbians in London.
While I've noticed a number of young lesbians and genderqueers (or people who simply don't fit into most accepted definitions of gender and sexuality) at bike-related events and establishments here in The Big Apple, it seems that there is a more prominent subculture of lesbian cyclists in the British capital. At least, that's the impression I get from The Most Cake and from things I've heard from people who've been in London more recently than I've been. I can't say I'm surprised, really.
Anyway, according to the author of the post that caught my eye, there are five distinct types of lesbian cyclists in The Big Smoke:
1. Aggressive girls in Lycra
2. Eco-warrior on self-built touring bike
3. Feminist cyclist with a cause
4. Fixie lesbian with tatoos and piercings
5. The catch-all lesbian cyclist who cycles because she likes it and it's better than public transport or walking or micro-scootering.
Hmm...Had I been living as female earlier in my life, I definitely would have been 1, possibly 3 and/or 4. Of course, if I'd started living as a woman when I was 20, I wouldn't have been wearing Lycra, as it wasn't yet available. But I would/could have been the equivalent of type #1.
If I had to classify myself today from any of those types, I'd say I'm number five, with some of number three thrown in. And, perhaps, number two--after all, I've built a touring bike of my own and I try to do what's environmentally sustainable.
But I don't plan on getting any tatoos or any more piercings than I already have (on my earlobes). Or to wear Lycra again, even if I lose weight. But I do plan to keep on riding. And, perhaps, I'll meet Ms. Right.
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