Marley and Ellen sit down with Ashley Rankin, founder of Shredly, to discuss how her brand is redefining women's mountain bike and activewear apparel through inclusive sizing, vibrant designs, and a commitment to sustainability.

We explore Shredly's mission, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the impact of creating a welcoming community for all women in cycling.

Note! While Marley is sponsored by Shredly, this episode is not! Shredly aligns with our mission of creating and fostering an inclusive bike community—and that is super cool.

Highlights:

(02:28) Ashley's journey from high-end couture to high-function cycling fashion

(05:21) Why Ashley founded Shredly

(09:17) Challenges and triumphs when building a business

(12:49) Sustainability and size inclusivity

(21:12) When Marley met Shredly

(24:05) Empowerment through representation

(31:34) Building a community and a movement

You may be sitting there asking, "Marley and Ellen, do you really need a whole dang episode devoted to inclusive rides? In the ABOB, we all fam!"

But the answer is YES! The more people who understand the work behind the scenes to create, foster, and protect these inclusive spaces should be shared. So we brought on two resident experts, Eli Kosko and Jacob Sheppard-Saidel, to talk through how they've created purposefully inclusive groups. They share their tips, experiences, and spreadsheets to help the next generation of organizers open their spaces to all.

Jacob Sheppard-Saidel is our All Bodies on Bikes chapter leader for Western Massachusetts. Follow @abob_westernmass (which also has details to join their Sugar Shack ride on Sunday, March 9!)

Eli Kosko is our All Bodies on Bikes chapter leader for Albuquerque. Follow @abob_abq to join up, and for details about their upcoming onramp series.

All Bodies on Bikes events, rides, and information for our 15 nationwide chapters can be found on our website, https://www.allbodiesonbikes.com/events

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