The Big Heat Cycling

Last Wednesday, Philadelphia’s 20th annual Ride of Silence took place to remember and honor the cyclists whose lives were lost to the violence of car culture. This year’s ride was especially difficult in light of losing our dear friend and team mate, Andrea Gonzalez, last October.

TBH team mates, fellow .philadelphia and members, friends from the .bike , Andrea’s partner and their pups, as well as others in Andrea’s wide network of community organizing attended the ride to honor her memory and legacy.

We rode our bikes adorned with the 🇲🇽 Mexican flag, as a tribute: Andrea was always seen proudly repping the flag of her culture and heritage on her person (a patch she sewed onto her kits) when she road in bike events and races.

Andrea’s sister, Michelle (an honorary member of ) joined the San Diego Ride of Silence for her sister and in solidarity repped team kit in Andrea’s honor. ❤️

Big thank you to for organizing the event and highlighting her life and the brightness that Andrea continues to shine. ⚡️✨

The Big Heat invites friends, loved ones, and community members of Andrea Gonzalez to join us for the Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 15th, to remember and honor our teammate.
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Please gather at 6:15 PM, 30 minutes prior to beginning of the event, at the start location of ride (City Hall - North entrance, Broad & JFK Blvd). We encourage you to 💐🌷🌼decorate your bikes colorfully🪻🌸🌻 in Andrea’s spirit and will have Mexican flags for you to attach to your bags/handlebars/etc.
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More info about the Ride of Silence and RSVP at bicyclecoalition.org/events/ride-of-silence-24/
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Last Sunday, Andy traveled up to Pittston, PA for his third annual Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo. After conquering the full hundred miles and 9,500+ ft of climbing in 2023, he opted for the slightly less brutal metric century this year, but still enjoyed nine major climbs with 5,400 ft of elevation gain.

Beautiful views, ripping descents, and countless friends always make this event one to look forward to each Spring, and this year was no different! Thanks to for always putting on a fantastic (albeit somewhat sadistic) event and for the great photos. See y’all next April! 🌼

A small but mighty TBH crew enjoyed cookies, high fives, and several thousand feet of elevation gain at this weekend’s annual “A Dozen Rose Glens” event. Thanks to for the good vibes and panda stickers. We’ll see you in 2025. 💘

This past Saturday, teammates and joined the (rescheduled) Solidarity Ride for Palestine, a nation-wide fundraiser ride event supporting and and organized by .

The Philadelphia ride was organized and co-led by and (hugeshout out!!), who both took the group on a chill 10 mile ride around the city, where we stopped for coffee and snacks at the Palestinian-owned .

It was a beautiful warm winter morning that brought out so many of us from our outdoor cycling hibernation! What an important and meaningful way to get us back in the saddle!
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To learn more about and donate to the amazing paracycling team, please check out their IG account and follow the link in their bio! More about their campaign in their links too!

‼️ New teammate alert - Meet Kel (they/them) ‼️

Add one part break up and two parts pandemic and what do you get? One human in a committed relationship with their bike.

From morning zoomies around FDR to Delco deep dives, Kel and their steed, Bangarang Rufio, are here for the zippy road rides, the long randonneur rides, and above all else, the rides with kindred bike weirdos.

When not on a bike, they can be found shaking a fist, cooking velveeta-and-jello-based dishes for friends, lost in a crossword, or cuddling with their pup TumTum Geraldine.

Some of y’all may have peeped Kel on a TBH ride already, as they joined us back in October. Please help us make it *Instagram official* by welcoming them to our motley crew.

We can’t wait for all of our adventures together, Kel.

🖤❤️🧡💛

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Wowweeee! What a blast this weekend at !!! Corrie, Andrea, Andy, and Ellie went on an adventure with our RAR pals Malisa, Alicia, Caroline, and Casey! This weekend had everything: rain, cows, views, pierogies, a bear, roller coaster descents, a warm fire, a whole pizza, a big ass double rainbow, and about 10k feet of climbing. We’re pooped! Thanks always for putting on a great event, can’t wait for next year!

It’s spooky szn! Let’s get weird and ride in costume! Join us on October 28th at 4pm- meet at Logan Square (the one with the fountain). Route will be posted the week before the ride.

Teamwork makes the dream work! ✨

Our crew was happy to support the amazing .ndrea at yesterday’s Rock n Ride crit in Ardmore. ⚡️🇲🇽🔥

A lot of bikepacking magic this weekend for the .champlainvalley / trip from Burlington, VT to Willsboro, NY.

Screenprinting, ferry rides, hammock hangs, sharing meals and beautiful weather made this one to remember.

Still sobbing about the older women who passed our sweet group and screamed “you look like me!”

Thanks for an amazing time
🖤kel

We are deeply, unequivocally opposed to the recent announcement by the UCI banning trans women from racing. Trans women are women. Trans women deserve to be at the starting line. Trans women deserve to race without harassment.

We mourn the seasons and potential careers cut short by this policy. To the trans athletes who have been racing, we see you and we celebrate not only your wins, but all efforts you put into racing. You inspire us with your dedication and your love of the sport. We’re honored to ride alongside you.

The explicit attack on trans women is rooted in misogyny and xenophobia. For those in the back: s*x and gender are not valid determinants of athletic performance. Not only that, but the policy applying to trans women who transition after first puberty goes hand in hand with numerous bans in conservative states and countries that restrict access to gender affirming care for those under the age of 18.

And yes-this is fu***ng personal.

From our incredible teammate, Morgan:
“I’ve been struggling to find the words to properly express how disgusted I am with the UCI and USAC decision. Cycling and the race scene was something I loved before my transition, but it took on a whole new meaning for me after transitioning. I was so scared of what the reaction might be when I lined up for my very first women’s race. What I found, though, was an incredible community of welcoming and affirming women who made it very clear that my presence was welcomed and appreciated. The local cycling community became my refuge when other areas of my life were unstable. Other trans women should have that same opportunity.”


**ktheuci

Fall back Friday! Last month, teammate participated in the Race Ave Criterium in Lancaster.
From Claire’s reflections: “This was a special race for me in my hometown of Lancaster, PA with family spectating (including my dad, a member of and Lancaster Bicycle Club). put on a great event with a gorgeous course (hill included). Another great day of biking and another 4th place finish! 😅 congrats to fellow Philly cyclist of for their first podium!!”