The Gaza Sunbirds started as a para-cycling team but have become a symbol of resilience and mutual aid in Gaza. Co-founder Karim Ali joins us to share the team’s journey—from breaking barriers in para-cycling to delivering life-saving aid by bike in the midst of war. We discuss the power of representation, the challenges of competing at the highest levels, and how cycling has become a tool for survival and solidarity. Tune in to learn how you can support their work.

Learn more about the Gaza Sunbirds

Gaza Sunbirds on Instagram

Emily Chappell somewhat inadvertently created a dialogue on body image within the cycling world. After being the first woman across the finish line at the 2016 Transcontinental race, her cycling journey has inspired others to take up the sport as their authentic selves.

In this episode we also talk about

• Emily Chappell's career as a bike messenger, ultra-distance cyclist, and adventurer
• Her cycling trips through Asia and Alaska
• How her honesty about her body image has added representation in the cycling world
• The importance of queer spaces within cycling
• How 'learning out loud' shows the world that everyone is at different parts of their journey
• What's next for Emily?

Other episodes referenced:

• Un-Retiring after a health break with Ellen Noble (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DM79SEFNIEmPnxycIZueV)
• Jacquelyn Francis rode 600 miles instead of flying to a conference (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3PBHUME3iXtCdx3svGAHq1)

"If you haven't ridden a bike, then you don't know how powerful they are. And I welcome anybody and celebrate anybody who you somehow uses bikes as a tool for change." — Zahra Alabanza, Radical Adventure Riders

Today we spoke with Zahra Alabanza, organizer at Radical Adventure Riders (RAR) about the organization's beginnings, purposefully creating a space within cycling for FTWNB and BIPOC, leaning into community resources, and so much more. RAR has made itself known within cycling as a resource for group rides to be radically inclusive.

Show notes:

• Zahra's reference to Erykah Badu's phrase, "over-lover" is from the song Out My Mind, Just In Time
• Radical Adventure Riders maintains a resource list on their website
• You can pick up your own sweet, sweet Lisa Frank-inspired RAR merch in their online store
• Grab your own digital copy of their Group Ride Guide here ($11)
• And finally keep your eyes peeled for their 2025 updates by following them on Instagram: @radical.adventure.riders

"Anything you can do, I can do bleeding." - Marley

There are unique challenges to cycling as a person with a uterus, and we're here to talk about it!

This episode we cover cycling while pregnant, and cycling while on your period. Marley and Ellen are joined by Ellen's friend and fellow parent-commuter cyclist, Rachel Epler, to discuss the disparate data, anecdotes, and advice—plus your questions related to both topics.

Disclaimer: We aren't doctors! Every pregnancy, period, and person is different. Talk to a trusted medical provider if or when it's your turn to make these decisions.

Resources:

Opening song: Female Body by Farideh (@Farideh on TikTok, Insta, YouTube). Listen on YouTube.

We discussed several period underwear brands, but upon closer inspection not all of them as size-inclusive as we remembered. We're sorry for not catching this before recording! We later found Ruby (up to 8x), Tomboyx (up to 6x), and The Period Co (up to 6x). Brands mentioned are Boody (up to 3x), Thinx (up to 4x), and Knix (up to 4x).

Marley previously wrote about cycling while on your period for Cascade Bicycle Club

New Zealand politician Julie Anne Genter cycles to hospital to give birth.

As always, follow @AllBodiesOnBikes to tell us what you think!

Happy Festivus!

Today is a day to air grievances, celebrate feats of strength, and declare seemingly small things to be nothing short of a miracle.

🤬 AIRING OF GRIEVANCES 🤬

We asked the All Bodies on Bikes community to send in some grievances and they did not disappoint! From bee stings on boobs, to e-bike snubbing, to equity in infrastructure, we (Marley and Ellen) got a few things off our chests in this episode.

🏋🏻‍♀️ FEATS OF STRENGTH 🏋🏻‍♀️

We celebrate two cyclists who attempted breaking the world record for around-the-world trips, Lael Wilcox (@laelwilcox) and Vedangi Kulkarni (@thisisvedangi); commend the city of Bentonville, AR, for post-tornado cleanup; send a shout-out to the 2024 Paris Olympics finally having gender parity (we also swoon over Ilona Maher, goddess of body image); and flex 💪 just a bit about All Bodies On Bikes' 2024 statistics.

✨ FESTIVUS MIRACLES ✨

We wrapped up with Festivus Miracles, like simply getting out for a ride, being excited for new bike lanes, or cheering that women's sports finally getting their due.

Share your grievances, feats, and miracles with us on Instagram! Follow @AllBodiesOnBikes and drop a comment.

"We are here to make cyclists for life, good humans for life—and we just do that through mountain biking." – Amanda Carey

Marley and Ellen sit down with Amanda Carey, National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) President, to talk about how NICA's programming builds character and community through youth mountain biking. She discusses how they're approaching issues of inclusivity, belonging, equitable access to their sport, and more in today's episode.

You can learn more and donate to NICA on their website, https://nationalmtb.org/

02:55 Coaching and Team Dynamics

07:37 Challenges and Inclusivity

13:42 Philosophy of Coaching

21:23 Community Involvement

26:01 How to Support NICA

30:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hey folkx, we're here with a few thoughts after the U.S. election. In case you were concerned—we're not going anywhere! And we're saying it out loud.

The election has some immediate impacts, like an administration change, as well as regional transportation funding wins and the first openly transgender member of Congress!

Check in with us on Instagram, @AllBodiesOnBikes to let us know how you're doing 💗

Links mentioned in the show:

People for Bikes' Round up of Transportation wins in the 2024 election

Nashville, Tennessee passes $3.1B transit funding

Sarah McBride will be the first openly transgender member of congress

Most athletes announce they're coming out of retirement, only to show up ready to roll at the next big race. But not Ellen Noble!

As an authentic and inspiring fixture in cyclocross racing, Ellen's announcement to un-retire was actually the start of beginning to train again after two years out of the professional circuit. Listen up to hear why that was important to her, how her studies to become a nutritionist will connect to her passion, and the perspective shift that comes with a concussion.

Plus, both Ellens get confused by talking to a fellow millennial Ellen at least twice.

Links mentioned in the show:

Ellen Noble's podcast, This One's For You on Apple or Spotify

Donate $50 or more to All Bodies On Bikes during our fall fundraiser and get a pair of Goodr x ABOB sunglasses!

Simone Biles Rising is on Netflix

All Bodies on Bikes Zwift group ride — link coming soon!

Follow Ellen on Instagram @EllenLikesBikes

Follow ABOB on Instagram @AllBodiesOnBikes

Jacquelyn Francis is a renowned climate scientist and the founding executive director of the Global Warming Mitigation Project.

Earlier this summer, she embarked on an incredible 600 mile e-bike ride from Salt Lake City to Sun Valley, Idaho and back. Her journey aimed to raise awareness for climate action and to promote sustainable travel, demonstrating that long distance biking is not only feasible, but also a powerful statement against carbon intensive travel methods.

Along the way she learned about the importance of community, both for climate mitigation... and navigating rural routes with questionable infrastructure.

********

We're fundraising!

Our fall fundraiser for All Bodies on Bikes is officially live—and we need your help! We're trying to raise $10,000 to keep growing this incredible community, making cycling accessible to everyone, no matter their size, shape, or experience level.

Your support today will help us fund more inclusive events, offer more resources, and spread the message that all bodies truly belong on bikes.

And as a special thank you, anyone who donates over 50, we'll get our custom All Bodies on Bikes x Goodr sunglasses, which are really fun. (They're named the hottest thing on two wheels. 😎)

Head to AllBodiesOnBikes.com to donate and please share with your friends!

Let's ride together and make this movement bigger and better than ever.

The All Bodies on Bikes team had a busy summer! Tons of events, live podcasting while living out of a van, big industry moves... and more! Listen up for a recap from fearless leaders Marley Blonsky and Kailey Kornhauser with tagalong co-host Ellen Schwartze

We also share an update on what's next for All Bodies on Bikes: new chapters (👋 hey there, Portland and DFW!), new resources, and our first big fundraising push. (Psst, did you know you can already donate on our website??)

Referenced in the show:

Marley's summer road trip podcast series — just skip back a few episodes to find:

• SBT Gravel Behind the Scenes with Amy Charity & Greer Van Dyck
• Live from Joyride with Lisa Congdon and Kelsey Long
• Queer + Bikes with B Steele and Lauren Mehl