"Women of color making their mark in cycling's Tour de France Femmes, preceding the professionals - Interview with a trailblazing cyclist"
Ayesha McGowan, an inspirational figure in the world of cycling, is embarking on an extraordinary journey - the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift challenge. This ambitious endeavour aims to raise $30,000 for Thee Abundance Project, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering opportunities for women of colour in competitive road cycling.
McGowan, a Boston-based cyclist, first discovered her love for cycling as a means of commuting to music school. Her passion for the sport has since grown exponentially, leading her to take on this challenging fundraising mission.
During stages 2 to 9 of the Tour de France Femmes, McGowan will be joined by ultra-endurance cyclist Emily Chappell, cycling mostly self-supported. Each kilometre ridden serves as a powerful symbol, signifying that women of colour belong in the sport of cycling.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift challenge is not just a physical test for McGowan; it is also an essential advocacy and fundraising effort. The funds raised will support Thee Abundance Project, an initiative that McGowan started in 2021. The project has already made strides in promoting inclusivity, such as sending women of colour to compete at the Tour of America's Dairyland criterium race in Wisconsin.
McGowan's ultimate goal is to eliminate barriers for women of colour to participate in cycling racing. She aims to provide support for housing, transportation, food, and people, enabling more women to experience the joy of competitive cycling.
In addition to the Tour de France Femmes challenge, McGowan has initiated other projects to promote diversity in cycling. For instance, she created the Abundance Summit, a virtual conference focusing on Black and BIPOC joy in cycling and the outdoors.
McGowan's dedication to promoting inclusivity and representation extends beyond cycling. She aspires to inspire other women and girls who may feel underrepresented in bike races. However, she feels that the interest in Black and BIPOC initiatives has waned since 2020, making it harder to reach a larger audience.
To support McGowan's cause, donations can be made through the provided link. By contributing, you're not only helping to fund an important mission but also sending a powerful message that women of colour belong in the world of cycling.
As McGowan prepares for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift challenge, she emphasises the importance of finding joy in a chaotic world and caring about more than one thing. She will complete the route four days before the peloton sets off from Lille, demonstrating that with determination, passion, and a dash of joy, anything is possible.
[1] Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift challenge: https://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2022/fr/race/le-tour-de-france-femmes-avec-zwift.html [2] Thee Abundance Project: https://www.theeabundanceproject.com/
- Ayesha McGowan's journey in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift challenge is not only a demonstration of her passion for cycling, but also an essential advocacy and fundraising effort for Thee Abundance Project, an initiative dedicated to fostering opportunities for women of color in competitive road cycling.
- In addition to her cycling endeavors, Ayesha McGowan has initiated projects such as the Abundance Summit, focusing on Black and BIPOC joy in cycling and the outdoors, and she aspires to inspire other underrepresented women and girls to participate in cycling races and sports.
- By supporting Ayesha McGowan's cause through donations, individuals can help to fund an important mission promoting diversity and inclusion in the world of cycling, and ultimately send a powerful message asserting that women of color belong in the sport.
