Cycling to the farm

My ride is a old blue steel frame cramerotti. It rides really beautifully and has trees on the forks to remind me of why I bike. I love the freedom of cycling, the wind, being able to hear, see and smell everything around you. I like the speed, the efficiency. Cycling is moving meditation where my thoughts have room to roam.

Before my cramerotti was a teal bianchi that got me through university when my other bike was stolen. My bianchi allowed me to slowly ease into a world where biking is transportation, biking is social, biking is art, biking is community. This is a world where bikes are a part of my identity, not just another way to get around town.

Then came the Sprockettes. (www.sprockettes.org) I was dumbfounded when I first saw them perform. They were amazing, beautiful, confident women- and they were promoting cycling, community and empowerment as a celebration! People loved it! I adored it! These ladies were pivotal in inspiring a small group of women to start the b:c:clettes, and they were one of the reasons that I joined the budding collective.

Being part of the b:c:clettes (www.bcclettes.ca) has allowed me a creative outlet that I never thought possible as an 'adult'. To be able to choreograph, to dance to be silly with such a wonderful group of women is truly an honour. I still marvel at the talent, energy, work, intelligence and intention that makes up the b:c:clettes and allows us to share our celebration of cycling, of sustainability, of community engagement to our audiences.

Sharing so many different learning and skill building experiences with the clettes has allowed me to dream, to see possibilities where I thought there were none.

Today, I'm dreaming of providing local food to communities and breaking down the barriers of 'separateness' and 'away'. I'm dreaming of a place where people cultivate relationships with the natural world around them, with their sense of place.