If women hold up half the sky, why do they not get half the road?

          Big, exciting news everyone! A few weeks ago while cruising the internet I was thinking to myself, "what, exactly, does it take to be a professional female cyclist?" Not because I have any hopes of doing so myself, but because I, like many women, watch professional events on TV and in person and it is glaringly obvious that no one who looks like me is out there to cheer for. 

          Turns out, film director Kathryn Bertine thought the same thing, and decided to ask the question in the form of a documentary called, "Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls, and Power of Women's Professional Cycling." I watched the preview on the website and was so excited- it looked so interesting! That excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I found out it wouldn't be airing in Austin until it was released in regular theater, which could be a couple of years.

           Thankfully, a web-based event promotion business called Tugg helps people like my by allowing them to book a theater for a film, so long as we can find a minimum number of attendees that the host spot agrees to, and then they'll show the film. Therefore, I applied, and the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline in Austin approved my event! 

          So, here it is! I need only 65 people to commit for $9/ticket in order for the show to go on. Surely, there are at least 65 people in the Austin area who love cycling, women, women's rights, or all of the above who would want to see the film, because it looks awesome!

           This is something really important to me. Even in my generation, I have grown up in to womanhood being told I can't do something many, many times. Too many times. It kills me to think of having a daughter and her still (still!) having to hear the same things, especially if she tries to break in to a male-dominated world like cycling. I have brushed on this before, but cycling is by far where I have met the most resistance, experienced the most resentment, for my presence by other men, especially the men that I am faster than. (Which, admittedly, is not that many in my age group!) These women who are out there, doing the dang thing, and kicking butt while they do it, are heroes, and I want to support them in any way I can. The people behind this documentary are pushing hard for equal treatment, and that is just plain important. I'm crossing my fingers enough people feel the same to make this happen here in Austin, a bike boom town- home to legends- with thousands of riders, and hundreds of women just like me trying to find a place in the world of cycling, a sport we love to do, but not everyone loves that we do it.

         Tickets go one sale Midnight April 30, 2014! I am canvassing cycling shops, women's ride groups, MeetUps, and all sorts of places around town and trying to spread the word. I'll also be taping a folder full of fliers to my car during the Shiner GASP, hoping people pick some up and decide to spread the word. Tell your friends, it's going to be awesome! If I get enough people soon enough, I hope to ask the director if she has time to come and do a Q&A.

Hope to see you there!

My flyer for the event- feel free to print it out and pass it around!

 Here is the press release I wrote for the event, with more details about the movie:

Cowboys Against ALS, courtesy of Tugg Events

present

HALF THE ROAD: The Passion, Pitfalls and Power of Women's Professional Cycling

A special one-night only showing of the acclaimed documentary Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls, and Power of Women’s Professional cycling is coming to Austin! This film asks the question, "if women hold up half the sky, why do they not get half the road?" Come join women, cyclists, and women cyclists as we explore the world of women's professional cycling- it's trials, limitations, and amazing successes. The screen lights up with this amazing film June 3, 2014, at Alamo Drafhouse Lakeline, 14028 US Highway 183 Austin, TX 78717. Showtime is at 7:30pm. Tickets are $9 each.

Modern society has long believed that women hold up half the sky in terms of equality and progression. So when it comes to the sport of professional cycling, why aren't women receiving half the road? Directed by pro cyclist Kathryn Bertine, HALF THE ROAD explores the world of women's professional cycling, focusing on both the love of sport and the pressing issues of inequality that modern-day female athletes face in male dominated sports. With footage from some of the world's best races to interviews with Olympians, World Champions, rookies, coaches, officials, doctors and family members, HALF THE ROAD offers a unique insight to the drive, dedication, and passion it takes for a female cyclist to thrive. Included as well are notable women who have achieved inroads in other sports, such as Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to official register (as "K.V. Switzer") and run the all-male Boston Marathon in 1967; the iconic photo of her being attacked by a race official was listed by Time-Life as among its "100 Photographs that Changed the World."

In addition to the movie ticket, Cowboys Against ALS founder Jenny Paul is raising money for Austin Pets Alive! as she trains for the Onalaska Triathlon 70.3. Supporters of this amazing shelter and Austin institution will have the opportunity to donate as they purchase their ticket to support the continuation of Austin’s no-kill policies for shelter animals.

For more information, or to cover Half the Road’s screening, please visit the event web page at https://www.tugg.com/go/zfotr6. 

Don't forget about my Reason 2 Race! Help out pets in need!

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This blog is following my training as I get ready for the Athleta eSprit de She event season. Three events happen in Texas, the Duathlon in Dallas, the Katy 5k & 10k, and the Cycle Tour in Austin. I'll be doing Austin and Dallas, come join the fun! Enter Comp Code EDS57 for the chance to win some cool prizes!