The term girl power has been in the collective vernacular since the late 1990s, so the phrase does feel a tad played out. But the essence of what it is—an expression of female empowerment—still fires me up. What's not to love about women who are confident, motivated, and passionate enough to master challenges, many times joining with other chicks to do so? It may sound corny, but I kind of swell with pride whenever I see a sister kicking butt in a job, sport, or anywhere in life—after all, every time a woman triumphs, it's a win for us all. (You understand, this isn't meant as a slight to men. . .I love men and happily cheer them on too!)
So needless to say, I was super psyched to meet up with three members of the Liv/Giant team. They rolled up to my house in a van loaded with new bikes—no male techs in sight—to set me up for my first-ever ride on a real road bike. As sporty as I like to think I am, I'm more of a beach-cruiser girl than a serious cyclist. But given that women have gone bananas for cycling and triathlons (in the past decade, the number of females participating in cycling rose 20 percent, and triathlon participation in the U.S. is at an all-time high), I had to see what the hype was about. Those of you who have been reading my editor's letters for a while know I am prone to FOMO—I really don't like to be left out of the fun.
And who better to enlist to help me get in the game than Liv/Giant, the women-specific side of Giant Bicycles? Not only are their machines engineered for women's bodies, but they get that we care about—OK, demand—stylishness. (Note the subtle, yet so chic lavender details on my bike). After a quick riding and safety tutorial, the four of us set out on a breezy five-miler. I was given a few in-motion pointers, and soon I felt confident enough to suggest we pick up the pace! Just from that brief experience, I can tell that cycling is something I could get hooked on. So much about it appeals to me: the steady calorie burn, the body-harmonizing rhythm of pedaling, and the growing community of riding enthusiasts to hit the road with.
I still have a lot to learn, and only time will tell if I stick with it. But it's always a good day when you harness some girl power—whether it's climbing to the top of your field, as Giant Bicycles general manager Elysa Walk has done, or attempting something brand-new, like my over-40 foray into cycling. Whatever you decide to tackle, I have only one thing to say: Get it, girl!
Michele Promaulayko
Editor-in-Chief
Follow me on Twitter! @michprom
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