Spoke by Spoke

Giving voice to young women through cycling and sisterhood!

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on wheels the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood". - Susan B.Anthony

sis-ter-hood n

1. the empathy and loyalty that women feel for other women who have shared goals, experiences, or viewpoints.

This 5-day program is a gentler approach to our popular mountain bike camp and was created in the hope of increasing participation of girls age 11 to 14 in cycling. From Monday to Wednesday, the girls will learn the A to Z of biking through a variety of games, drills and day trips on Ottawa's beautiful cycling paths. Swimming outings will take place at Britannia and Kitchissipi beaches. Creative activities will be incorporated if need be on rainy days (Mud Oven, yoga, visit to art galleries). On Thursday and Friday, the participants will be initiated to real mountain biking at the Creative Wheel Centre and receive peer support from Rock Paper Scissor campers and stewards.

Goals of the program

1. Develop technical skills and fitness through collaborative games and paced outings.
2. Learn about emergency bike repairs to build independence (change a flat, fix a broken chain, do a complete bike check, understand gearing mechanisms).
3. Offer an opportunity for girls to network and build their own support system where they would continue meeting to ride together in confidence through the summer.
4. Debunk all negative stereotypes towards women and cycling through the creative arts and strong role models.
5. Educate participants on healthy eating practices that will follow them through life.
6. Introduce participants to basic mental training tools used in sport psychology that creates success.

If you wish to receive more information on this program, please call us at 613.820.1919 or email info@creativewheel.ca

This program was inspired by the ON THE MOVE (OTM) concept.

We hope to grow this initiative into an after school program in 2011 to reach more girls in our community and across Canada. If you wish to sponsor this program or become an ambassador, please email Dominique at info@creativewheel.ca