Pedals & Purpose:Empowering Women in Cycling with Kristen of Femme Cyclist
When I say this conversation is about more than just cycling, I mean it. Kristen, founder of Femme Cyclist, joined me to talk about how bikes became a lifeline during a challenging season of her life, the importance of representation in cycling, and her mission to help more women feel confident on two wheels.
This one will hit if you’ve ever wondered whether you belong in the cycling world, or if you’ve told yourself you’re too late to start something new.
🎧 Listen to the full episode below 👇
Women in Cycling: Why More Women Still Don’t Feel Comfortable on Bikes
We got into what it actually feels like to start—or start again—when you’re not sure you belong. Because even with more women riding, more events, and more visibility, that doesn’t automatically mean it feels easier to step into the space. There’s still this hesitation that shows up in small ways, like not asking questions, not signing up, or not wanting to be the beginner. And more often than not, it comes back to confidence.
Kristen didn’t grow up loving bikes. She actually used to cry on rides as a kid, which honestly feels relatable in its own way. It wasn’t until later, after stepping away from something that had been a huge part of her identity, that she found her way back to movement through cycling and that’s where it stuck. It became something steady she could return to, especially during a time when she needed it most.
Confidence Is the Throughline
We kept coming back to confidence, and not in a surface-level way. Not gear, not fitness, not access—confidence. That underlying feeling of whether you belong in a space or not shapes so many decisions before we even realize it.
It shows up in walking into a bike shop and second guessing yourself. In hesitating to sign up for something because you don’t want to be the least experienced one there. In telling yourself you’ll start once you’re “better,” even though that’s not really how it works. It’s not always about whether you can do it, it’s whether you feel like you’re allowed to.
Representation & Building Something That Actually Helps
And even though more women are riding now, that doesn’t mean it feels easier. From the outside, the sport looks like it’s grown, and it has, but when you look a little closer, it’s not always reflected in the spaces themselves. That gap between participation and true inclusion is still very real.
That’s exactly where Femme Cyclist comes in. What Kristen has built is rooted in helping women feel more comfortable getting started and sticking with it. And one of the things that stood out most in this conversation was how real she kept it when talking about building that business. It’s not about chasing big numbers or doing what looks impressive online, it’s about consistently creating something that actually helps people.
You’re Probably More Capable Than You Think
This is one of those takeaways that goes way beyond cycling.
“You are capable of so much more than you think you are.”
Whether that’s getting back on your bike, trying something new, or building something from scratch, the common thread is the same. You don’t need to feel fully ready. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to take the first step, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Links & Love
Follow Kristen and Femme Cyclist:
Instagram: @femme_cyclist
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