RAR Blog

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FTWNB Led Cycling Events

Date July 18, 2023
With recent announcements from UCI banning transgender women from competing in the women’s category during races, we wanted to uplift events doing the amazing work to create spaces for the FTWNB community.  Here is a list of femme, trans, women, and non-binary led cycling events to support, follow, and attend.  This is not a comprehensive list by any means, so please add FTWNB led cycling events that should be recognized in the comments. GRIT MTB…

New RAR Chapters!

Date June 20, 2023
Give a warm welcome to the eleven new RAR Chapters! We had over twenty applications from BIPOC and FTWN-B organizers nationwide and beyond. We mainly sought groups in different regions who had a solid core group to build out their community efforts. THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to apply.   Twenty-one RAR Chapters will advocate, support, and uplift BIPOC and FTWN-B cyclists in their local communities! All new and existing Chapters will benefit from monetary support, orientation, toolkit, branding, sponsorship connections, and knowledge sharing…

RAR Raffle for Chapters Fundraiser

Date May 1, 2023
Donate to win prizes and help us raise $40k to grow RAR Chapters to 20 locations!  ENTER THE RAFFLE Donate to the RAR Chapters Fundraiser to win sweet prizes from Salsa, Revelate Designs, Velocity Wheels, Teravail, Bags x Bird, and Simworks. A total of five prizes will be given away: Prize 01: Salsa Journeyer Apex bike Prize 02: Revelate Designs Mag-Tank, Sweetroll + Feedbags Prize 03: Velocity Wheels custom wheelset + Teravail tires  Prize 04:…

RAR Chapters Applications are now open!

Date April 1, 2023
Want to start a Radical Adventure Riders Chapter in your area? RAR is expanding the Chapter Program for up to 20 chapters with funding, training, and support to carry out RAR’s mission! Radical Adventure Riders launched the Chapter program in 2021, to support and build a more inclusive cycling and outdoor community for femme, trans women, and non-binary folks (FTWN-B). Apply to become a RAR Chapter by Monday, May 1st! How to apply to be…

RAR Chapters Fundraiser

Date February 13, 2023
Help RAR Chapters grow to 20 locations! DONATE HERE When we launched the RAR Chapter program in 2021, we couldn’t have dreamed how successful and joyful this program would be. We’ve supported 11 Chapters in creating community, skill-sharing, and getting more BIPOC and FTWN-B folks on bikes across the country.  Over the last year, our Chapters have launched community gear libraries, hosted gravel camps, and created inclusive communities. After taking the last year to strengthen…

Guilt and the Outdoors

Date November 15, 2022
Have you felt guilty for being able to take time to be outdoors? I have. WRITTEN & PHOTOS BY ANDREA MOLINA2021 SJ BROOKS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT My mother is 61, and as recently as her late 50’s, she had never left El Salvador, our home. She does not lack a sense of adventure or desire to travel, but money has always been a huge limitation. I left home when I was 15 with a scholarship, so I…

To Black Women

Date August 18, 2022
I wrote this piece to create a space to talk about Black hair and biking. The topic may seem arbitrary to some who do not understand the history and legacy of Black hair. But know that our hair is our crown, who we are, and how we show up.  WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY JASMINE BROOKSFEATURED IN GET RAD BE RADICAL ISSUE 02 Jasmine she/her · current hairstyle: natural curls, no heat Avid road cyclist, long-distance and…

Black Freedom & Fresh Air

Date June 28, 2022
I’m Dia, a Black, queer femme who loves freedom and fresh air. Bikepacking and heritage touring are among my favorite ways to experience the outdoors. I also experience significant barriers to adventuring as radically and as often as I want to. By sharing my experience from two past tours with Black Freedom Outfitters (BFO), I hope to encourage Black queer and trans folks who want to try adventure cycling.  WRITTEN BY DIA HODNETTFEATURED IN GET RAD BE…

To Know The Land Is To Love The Land

Date June 22, 2022
To know the land is to love the land. To love the land is to care for the land. To care for the land is to live wisely with the land. To live wisely with the land is to learn from the land. To know the land is to love the land.  WRITTEN BY GUARINA LOPEZFEATURED IN GET RAD BE RADICAL ISSUE 02 We all do it. When we find something we love, we learn about it, we dig into it,…

RAR New Haven Gravel Camp

Date June 14, 2022
RAR New Haven is so excited to announce their first-ever annual Gravel Camp on August 5th-7th! 🌈 🏕️ 🌈 🏕️ DONATE HERE REGISTER TO JOIN Gravel Camp is a summer camp-style weekend full of riding, outdoors, and friendship for non-binary, trans, and women riders. RAR New Haven will help bikers improve their confidence on the trail and build a community for femme, trans, women, and non-binary folks centered on adventuring on our bikes! This has…

Get Rad Issue 02 & Cycling Cap Launches

Date May 3, 2022
New merch drop! Get rad by getting the Get Rad publication and cycling cap. Get Rad Issue 02 Get Rad’s second issue, Making Space and Stepping Back, features 13 contributors creating space for BIPOC and trans, women, intersex, and gender non-conforming folks in the cycling and outdoors community. Contributors center on community building and organizing, prioritizing self and collective care and cultivating education and knowledge-sharing in the bike adventure community. VIEW ISSUE 02 Get Rad Cycling…

RAR Gravel Team Becomes Wild Composite Racing

Date March 21, 2022
The RAR Gravel team of incredible ambassadors created a stronger FTWN-B community at gravel events in 2020 and beyond, one in which, rather than competing against each other, they support, celebrate, and connect– to grow and develop as individuals and a community as a whole.  Each of these ten individuals poured their heart, passion, and time into the role, all amidst a pandemic– while navigating their personal lives. We are genuinely thankful for everything the…

Black Cycling Orgs + Businesses

Date February 21, 2022
To celebrate Black History Month, we created a list of Black cycling organizations and businesses. Be sure to support, follow, and share this post during Black History Month and beyond. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, so please add Black-owned cycling businesses and organizations that should be recognized in the comments. ORGANIZATIONS & GROUPS Black Foxes@the_blackfoxesAn international collective of Black cyclists. We control our own narratives. Black Girls Do Bike@blackgirlsdobikeA nonprofit organization…

New RAR Merch Drop

Date February 1, 2022
Launching the Group Ride Guide, tech pin, making space sticker, and B.A.T.H. print! We are always reflecting on our role and how to ensure that our resources are contributing to our community. Today we launch a set of products for you to learn, reflect and pass on what it means to be a radical adventure cyclist. GET RAR MERCH GET RAR MERCH

2021 SJ Brooks Scholarship Recipients

Date January 7, 2022
We are thrilled to announce that 20 recipients have been awarded the SJ Brooks Scholarship for 2021! Give a big congrats to all the recipients! 👏 👏 👏 We received 126 applications, and the reality is that there were more qualified applicants than we had scholarships to give. Thank you to all who applied and shared parts of yourselves with honesty, vulnerability, and badassery. MEET THE RECIPIENTS Why does the SJ Brooks Scholarship matter? The scholarship…

Rest is Radical

Date December 2, 2021
BRB in January ✌️ We are working on practicing what we teach, so we are taking a social media break for one month to reflect on our programs & structure to make RAR more sustainable for the future.  What the crew will be up to during this period: Meet IRL in Los Angeles to work on org planning & ride bikes. Build strong foundations for all programs.Reflect on whether programs align with mission.Evaluate our business structure…

BIPOC Cycling Businesses

Date November 26, 2021
Holiday Shopping PSA 📣 📣 📣 📣 During this holiday shopping season support BIPOC-led organizations and businesses in the cycling industry. Here is a non-exhaustive list to start from. Please tag other BIPOC-led brands in the comments so this can be an ever-evolving resource. *BIPOC is shorthand for Black, Indigenous and people of color. APPAREL A Quick Brown Fox@ayesuppose Casa Verde@therealcasaverde Cheese Cycling Club@cheese_cycling_club Comfortable Adventures@comfortable_adventures PedalEd@pedaledjapan BAGS & SOFTGOODS GaBang@g.a.b.a.n.g Outer Shell@outer.shell Post Carry Co@postcarryco…

“Drink Plenty of Water” Headset Cap

Date September 13, 2021
We are stoked to announce our latest collaboration with Corvid Cycles and Dispatch. GET YOUR RAR HEADSET CAP ⚡️RAR “Drink Plenty of Water” Headset Cap⚡️ Add this to your trusty bike as a healthy reminder that self-care is the first step to shredding the patriarchy and to keep supporting gender inclusivity and racial equity in the cycling and outdoors scene.  Choose between 10 cap colors. $15 or more of your purchase goes directly to Radical…

Fat Bikers

Date August 10, 2021
At the WTF BX Summit in 2019, I co-facilitated a session called, “Fat Bikers: Creating Space for Body Size Inclusivity in Adventure Cycling.” Forty-five people from across the country participated in a dialogue about bodies and bikes and shared their experiences about bike culture, clothing, and equipment. As a result of everything I learned from the workshop, and my own experience as a fat cyclist – I summarized some ways we can work to create…

Submit Pitch for Get Rad Be Radical

Date August 3, 2021
RAR is seeking content pitches for issue 02 of the Get Rad Be Radical publication! This year’s theme is Making Space & Stepping Back. The issue will highlight BlPOC voices creating space for trans, women, intersex, and gender non-conforming folks in the cycling and outdoors community. We will center topics around community building and organizing, prioritizing self and collective care, and cultivating education and knowledge-sharing in the bike adventure community. PITCHES ARE CLOSED *By Tuesday,…

RAR Gravel Team Camp 2021 Recap

Date July 1, 2021
WORDS BY EFFIE BOURGIN ~ PHOTOS BY RAR GRAVEL TEAM On the second weekend of June 2021, sixteen months after our team formed in the Arizona desert, the RAR Gravel Team was finally able to gather in person. Finally, after hundreds of hours of zoom calls, thousands of slack, and text messages, we could bask in the glow of togetherness. Our team gathered on the ancestral lands of the Ohlone, Coast Miwok, Amah Mutson, Ramay…

SJ Brooks Scholarship GoFundMe Launches

Date June 30, 2021
We’re asking the cycling and outdoors community to help raise $23k to provide up to twenty SJ Brooks Scholarships for 2021! MAKE A DONATION THE WHY Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, trans, and women riders have a deep connection to the earth. However, due to systemic racism and other injustices, many are not accessing the much-needed medicine of being outdoors. Unfortunately, these injustices and inequalities have persisted much longer than at this current moment….

RAR ATL 36 Hours in Kitsbow – Finding Joy in Atlanta, GA

Date June 22, 2021
36 Hours in Kitsbow is a unique grassroots short film series highlighting stories of cycling adventure — especially stories that reunite all of us with our community, propel us into the unknown, and begin a journey from our doorstep. Kitsbow’s 2021 premiere film features a reunion of friends from the Radical Adventure Riders, Atlanta Chapter; whose regular outings were halted abruptly during 2020. Now a year later, the friends roll from their city to reconnect for…

RAR Jobs Board Launches!

Date June 21, 2021
The RAR Jobs Board is a job listing to increase hiring for BIPOC and FTWN-B folks in the cycling and outdoors industries.  With companies in the cycling and outdoors industries committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives like the Cycling Industry Pledge, RAR found that there was still a lack of employee diversity. The RAR Jobs Board hopes to lessen this gap by amplifying job opportunities in the cycling industry, specifically to BIPOC and FTWN-B…

Industry Support for SJ Brooks Scholarship

Date June 15, 2021
In our fourth year, Radical Adventure Riders are asking the cycling industry to help expand and increase financial funding and gear donations for the 2021 SJ Brooks Scholarship.  Supporting the scholarship will expand your company’s footprint on increasing racial equity and gender inclusivity in the cycling community. See last year’s recipients and supporters to learn what the scholarship is all about. Alongside a community fundraiser, we want to give the cycling and outdoors industries the…

RAR Chapter Selections

Date June 10, 2021
Get stoked! Eleven RAR Chapters will advocate, support, and uplift BIPOC and FTWN-B cyclists in their local communities! The RAR Chapters program received over twenty applications from BIPOC and FTWN-B organizers from across the country. We sought to select groups in different regions and had a solid core group to build out their community efforts.  RAR is supporting six funded Chapters and five non-funded Chapters. Funded Chapters receive stipends and gear support. In addition, all…

RAR Artist Fund Raffle

Date June 7, 2021
Get a RAR raffle sticker to raise money for a RAR Artist Fund and for a chance to win prize packages from our friends Ron’s Bikes, Casa Verde, and Crust Bikes!  SUPPORT THE ARTIST FUND 🎨 Why a RAR Artist Fund: Your sticker purchase will help us create an artist fund for future collaborations with BIPOC FTWN-B creatives on merchandise, graphics and video projects – the sky’s the limit on what we can do. The…

Asian-Owned Cycling Businesses

Date May 26, 2021
To celebrate AAPI-month, we created a list of Asian-owned cycling businesses. Support, follow, and share this post to uplift the Asian cycling community! This is not a comprehensive list by any means, so please add Asian-owned cycling businesses that should be recognized in the comments. We also want to recognize that many bicycle frames, components, and parts are made in Asia. We are highlighting small to medium businesses in this list, but we acknowledge how…

What’s in My Bag

Date May 17, 2021
As the weather gets warmer and the days are longer, now’s the time to get your bikepacking setups dialed.  Olivia (she/they) from WTF Bikexplorers Atlanta created a handy ‘What’s in My Bag’ setup list to give you ideas on what to bring and how to organize your items. Olivia’s mantra is, “I am complete but I am not finished.” 💁🏾‍♀️  Take a look at the handy resource and reply with a comment on anything that…

RAR Chapters Launches

Date April 26, 2021
We are excited to expand our programming and support RAR Chapters throughout the U.S.! Six Chapters will receive funding, training, and support to carry out RAR’s mission. Apply by May 10th! LEARN MORE & APPLY TO RAR CHAPTERS RAR seeks to expand and sustain its programming by enhancing, building, and supporting Chapters that will locally carry out its mission. RAR will work with its local Chapters to create hyper-local networks and programs to support femmes,…

BIPOC & FTWN-B Cycling Grants

Date April 16, 2021
Sharing and boosting BIPOC & FTWN-B cycling grants! We compiled a list of community grant opportunities for Spring/Summer 2021 specifically for BIPOC and FTWN-B folx.  See more info below and keep an eye out for the approaching deadlines: Thee Abundance Mini-Grant Deadline: Wednesday, April 21stOverview: Five to seven women of color will receive free entry and support to race the Tour of Americas DairylandWhen & Where: June 17th – 27th, 2021 in Southeast, Wisconsin /…

Cycling Industry Pledge Enrollment Open

Date April 6, 2021
Cycling Industry Pledge enrollment is now open until Friday, April 30th! In 2020, there were 249 companies that committed to the Cycling Industry Pledge. RAR is now looking to you in building a more resilient cycling industry for 2021.  The Cycling Industry Pledge (CIP) works to hold companies accountable to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cycling community with signees making a commitment to actions outlined in the pledge.  Added Benefits By joining CIP,…

Bring on Spring Ride Series

Date April 2, 2021
Join the Gravel Squad for two riding weekends to Bring On Spring!  Now that Spring is here, the team would love to challenge Gravel Squad members to connect and ride together over two weekends: April 16-18th & April 23rd-25th. Riding solo or gathering a small group together.  Enter to win raffle prizes by playing RAR Bingo while you ride!Share photos of your completed row of activities from the RAR Bingo card!Use #bringonspring2021 on Instagram, Facebook,…

Within & Without Launches

Date April 1, 2021
First episode of Within & Without Podcast is out now! Tune in for Radical Roots and Responsibilities! Listen to the stories behind RAR and RAHOK and meet your co-hosts Rio Oxas and Everett Ó Cillín. This episode highlights voices from past WTF BX summits and speakers as they share their experiences and insights in the light of our present moment. Featuring interviews with Grace Anderson, Devin Cowens, Alex Villalba, Olivia Williams, Kai Conradi, and Molly Sugar.This episode is brought to you by SimWorks, connecting people from…

RAR Sticker Raffle

Date March 26, 2021
Get a limited edition RAR raffle sticker for a chance to win the original illustration of the History of WTFN-B Riders in Cycling by Tessa Hulls! These sticker sales will help with our fundraising efforts for RAR 2021 programs like our new Chapters Program launching in late spring. 🛒 How to participate: Purchase a RAR sticker for $10 on our shop to enter. 1 sticker = 1 entry  📅 When to enter: Order a sticker…

AAPI Solidarity

Date March 18, 2021
RAR stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community today and always. These are 10 organizations to follow, donate and support in Atlanta and across the U.S. Please do what you can to support the AAPI community by donating your time or money, offering allyship, and making sure that these stories are not overlooked. Follow, donate and support these organizations. Atlanta National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Our mission is to build…

CIP Survey Key Findings

Date February 17, 2021
In December 2020, RAR conducted a 42 question survey with 123 responses from companies that signed the Cycling Industry Pledge.  The CIP Survey Key Findings help us understand where the primary gaps are in the pledge’s actions and commitments. We recognize that those who filled out the survey are still on their journey towards change, and there is still work to do collectively. We also acknowledge that genuine change requires long-term commitments and progress.  As…

New Year New Name

Date February 16, 2021
This past summer, we committed to change the name of our organization by the end of 2020. We acknowledge that both “WTF” and “Bikexplorers” are harmful, with ‘explorer’ using traumatic colonial language and ‘WTF’ centralizing cisgender women while being a recognizable acronym for ‘what the f*ck.”  Asking for Name Suggestions On December 1st, our leadership team and past collaborators started to brainstorm on name ideas, but we recognized that we’d fall short if we didn’t include you…

2021 Leadership

Date December 8, 2020
We are thrilled to introduce three new organizers to the crew as we head into 2021. Please join us in welcoming Christina Grande , Renee Hutchens  and Zahra Alabanza! We’re excited for their expertise and guidance as they join co-founders Mary Lytle and Molly Molly Sugar to shape the future of Radical Adventure Riders. Read more about each team member and their background on our website. READ MORE ABOUT THE CREW We also want to recognize and give thanks to…

BIPOC Cycling Grants

Date October 15, 2020
Even though the SJ Brooks Scholarship is closed for 2020, many grant opportunities are still available for the BIPOC cycling community. We’ve compiled a list for you to keep a reference and an eye on those approaching deadlines!  👀 Bikepacking Roots BIPOC Adventure Grant To support recipients by helping fund a fun and empowering bike adventure. Deadline: Nov 8, 2020 APPLY HERE Bikepacking.com BIPOC Collective Routes Access Fund To help change the face of bikepacking…

Fire Suppression

Date September 11, 2020
Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the fires burning in the Western U.S. 💜 We are in Oregon and can see the sky covered in smoke as we write this. As wildfires spread in California, Oregon, and Washington there are a lot of convos on the internet about climate change. Climate change has undeniably made wildfires worse, but it is not the only reason. Without regular burns, the landscape grew thick with…

8 Bikepacking Tips During COVID

Date July 21, 2020
While the coronavirus pandemic is escalating in the US, we wanted to share some tips and advice as folks get back out bikepacking again. We urge you to be responsible and acknowledge your impact while traveling. 1. Stay Close To Home Look up guidelines and phases of reopening for where you are traveling from and to. Be especially mindful of guidelines for Indigenous and high-risk communities. Stick to the one tank of gas rule if…

SJ Brooks Scholarship Fund Goal Reached

Date June 25, 2020
Thanks to the support from the cycling community and the cycling industry, WTF BX is able to offer nine SJ Brooks Scholarships in 2020 for specifically BIPOC FTWN/B cyclists. We sought to expand our scholarships this year and you showed up to make that happen! In only one week, the community surpassed the $10k GoFundMe goal and raised an additional $2k to create six scholarships! With individual fundraisers and company support donations of $6k, three…

Anti-Racism Resources

Date June 17, 2020
Three comprehensive resource lists to continue your education on anti-racism. 1. #BlackTransLivesMatter Actions & Resources for Solidarity This resource document was a collaborative effort between people who stand in solidarity with Black trans women and wanted to make a difference, and some of the foremost Black trans leaders in community and culture. It is a breathing document, so we welcome your suggestions on additions or amendments. Created and guidance by  @RaquelWillis,  @janetmock,  @Nalasimonet,  @MsPackyetti, @pfpicardi , and @dj_diabeatic. Artwork by @lavenderlilacviolet ….

BLM Action Plan

Date June 12, 2020
To our community, the WTF BX co-founding members recognize that we can and should do more to dismantle the toxic systems that oppress Black people unjustly. We acknowledge the necessity of actively listening to and amplifying Black voices and leadership, so we ask you to help hold us accountable for the following actions: Changing our Organization Structure Adding paid positions for Black, Indigenous and Trans core leadership by September 2020Changing the name of our organization…

Patagonia Ride Series Recap

Date April 26, 2018
  What happens when you bring a group of W/T/F/N-B bikexploring strangers together over a rugged multi-day adventure through the Sonoran Desert? Magical things. A couple weeks ago a group of WTF Bikexplorers assembled in Patagonia, Arizona for the first of five nationwide rides leading up to the WTF Bikexplorers Summit in August. These rides are grassroots opportunities designed to build a greater connection within our community of WTF Bikexplorers while actually exploring by bike….