Velo de Femmes Returns: Empowering Women One Ride at a Time

The Westchester Cycle Club is holding an event in Armonk on Sunday, June 1, to encourage more women to participate in recreational cycling, an activity in which females are outnumbered 3-to-1 by males nationally, according to estimates.

The event, called Velo de Femmes, will feature rides of 14, 25, 35, and 50 miles and are free to join. A catered lunch supplied by DeCicco's will be available for $25.

“We want women to know that there’s a connection out there for those who are interested in riding,” said Christine Schopen, immediate past -president of the WCC, whose almost 800 members are about one-third female.

All the rides will be "no-drop," meaning no one will be left behind. Groups may be split into faster/slower speeds to make sure everyone’s riding at a comfortable pace.

With last year’s Velo De Femmes, we saw, firsthand, that when women riders feel comfortable, they are more likely to come out, ride, and socialize with other like-minded or like-skilled women. "I started with the WCC club as a new rider many years ago, says longtime club member Amy Goldman. " I had never ridden in a group, but taking that first step is so important, and now I regularly lead WCC club rides," says Goldman.

Reflecting on her first Velo de Femmes ride, WCC member Dara Less says: "I had never been on an all-women's ride before, and it was empowering. The Velo de Femmes ride is a truly unique opportunity- don't miss it!"

Rides will begin between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at Armonk Sports Center, located at 205 Business Park Drive in Armonk's Community Park, which is at the intersection of Route 22 and I-684, Exit 3.

Riders must sign up in advance, be at least 18 years of age, wear a helmet and arrive with a bicycle in good working condition.

Register at https://www.westchestercycleclub.org/Velodefemmes.

The Westchester Cycle Club is a nonprofit that promotes bicycle use for transportation and educates the public about bicycle safety and the benefits of riding.