There is a women’s cycling community here in Fayetteville that I have stumbled across while trying to branch out from running so much.  I’ve been following @thefinncycle on Instagram and saw that she was with The Bike Route, hosting a beginner’s bike ride on Monday nights at 6pm.  I’ve known Finn for maybe 10 or 12 years and we keep running into each other as seems to be the custom here in Fayetteville.

I usually work as a nurse on Mondays, but I had a couple of weeks off this summer for staycation so I was able to go.  My friend Gildah was getting ready to buy a bicycle because she felt like she needed to exercise more.

Gildah had never ridden a bike that had gears.

But this group was great for her.  Finn was able to take time to teach her along the way and helped her gain confidence in her cycling.  We didn’t get left in the dust, which would have been okay, but it was great for community building.

Since I started this post we have been to that group a couple of times, and another one of our co-workers, Chassie, who has been an avid cyclist for about 5 years, joined us for the ride.  I was surprised she had only been cycling 5 years because she looks like a badass on her bike.

She said as a nurse she felt like a hypocrite because she was lecturing patients about getting out there and getting exercise and she was just naturally thin with a fast metabolism.  So she decided to take up cycling.

The first couple of times out she and her husband thought she was going to kill herself on the bike.  They rode tandem for a couple of years after that.  She didn’t even have her own bike for several years.  When she finally did get her own bike she started racing because that was what everybody around her was doing.  Right now she is on a cycling trip in Ireland.  She inspires me.

I love running, but right now cycling feels so easy.  I don’t love having to keep up with all the gear, but I do love zipping along on the trail.

Props to Finn for community building at the Bike Route.  Much love.  And go check it out if you are looking for a women’s cycling community.

Wendy Finn is the mother of 4 boys, former owner of I.M. Spa, registered nurse at a local hospital, Raw Food Enthusiast and educator, runner, world traveler in pursuit of superior massage education, a Master Massage Therapist of 25 plus years, a massage therapy educator, and a gardener.  She’s passionate about touching people and sharing health.  

To Schedule an Appointment for a Massage go to: Integrated Massage and click the “Book Now” button. Or email Wendy at [email protected]