I'm a big fan of pro cycling. I love to watch the Grand Tours on TV, and like nothing better than to dissect the tactics and the stories with friends. I'm ashamed to say it took me a while to question where the female events were, to wonder why they weren't being shown on TV. Kathryn Bertine's excellent film Half the Road opened my eyes to the world of the women's peloton and encouraged me to seek out coverage of the big events. Woefully, some of these are still not screened on TV and can only be followed on social media (see @_pigeons_) or via specialist cycling news sites. The film isn't as preachy as you'd think it might be - it has a snappy pace and is very witty. It features some excellent interviews with pro female cyclists as well as other sportswomen. What struck me is how humble the riders were, how they weren't boiling with anger (and when they were, how funny and polite they were with it)
I've always been forthcoming when standing up for equality for both genders and this film stoked my fire and made me more aware of how one of my favourite sports needed to get its act together. Since its release, some progress has been made though there is still some way to go. La Course by le Tour, and the Womens Tour of Britain are examples which have been adopted by the mainstream media.
Thanks Kathryn for showing me the way :)
I've always been forthcoming when standing up for equality for both genders and this film stoked my fire and made me more aware of how one of my favourite sports needed to get its act together. Since its release, some progress has been made though there is still some way to go. La Course by le Tour, and the Womens Tour of Britain are examples which have been adopted by the mainstream media.
Thanks Kathryn for showing me the way :)
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