Episode 25 - Kristen Bonkoski - Femme Cyclist

In this episode of That's Her Problem, we talk with cycling coach, bike educator, and Femme Cyclist creator Kristen Bonkoski about what it means to build confidence on two wheels and live a more bike-centered life. Kristen shares her origin story, from childhood rides and a life-changing 60-mile Yellowstone ride to leaving a corporate job to build a career around biking, coaching, and helping women feel welcome in cycling spaces.The conversation covers women’s bike fit, fueling properly on the bike, safety, mental health, mountain biking, and why bikes can be both a form of freedom and a tool for resistance. Kristen also discusses motherhood, raising a son with feminist values, the challenges of online backlash, and how joy and political awareness can coexist. If you’re looking for motivation to ride more, fuel better, or feel stronger and more included in cycling, this episode is for you. Kristen Bonkoski: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femme_cyclist/ YouTube: Femme Cyclist - https://www.youtube.com/femmecyclist Patty Wiens: Website: pattybikes.com Podcast: That's Her Problem Support Patty on Patreon to help keep the show going at https://www.patreon.com/c/herproblem Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kristen Bonkowski and her cycling background 02:21 Kristen's childhood bike experiences and early influences 06:32 Transition from corporate job to full-time cycling coach 11:10 Kristen's coaching focus on women and her program goals 17:15 Fueling strategies and nutrition for long rides 22:01 Bike fit essentials for women and equipment tips 24:07 Addressing safety concerns and roadside repair skills 28:53 Encouraging girls and women in mountain biking and downhill riding 33:05 The mental health benefits of cycling and community support 44:25 Kristen's advice for starting a passion-based business 45:53 Balancing activism, joy, and mental health through cycling Links Support my podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcast Order my book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1 and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=t Sign up for my newsletter at www.pattybikes.com ZM98RY4IBPALUCVB Keywords #podcast #urbanplanning #transportation #womeninleadership #communitybuilding #Journalism #Advocacy #SustainableCities #BikeLife #ActiveTransport #WomenWhoRide #WomenInMedia #SafeStreets #Urbanism #PublicTransport #EmpoweredWomen #GirlsEducation #AuthorLife #MentalHealthAwareness #UrbanForests #ClimateResilience #CommunityAction #WomenInLeadership #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #TreeConservation #GreenSpaces #Winnipeg #ErnaBuffie #CityPlanning