#All Bodies on Bikes#
Enjoy sports, everyone is equal. In reality, there are always some ingrained stereotypes. For example, fat girls are not always popular in outdoor sports. The size of the sports equipment seems to be designed for lightweight athletes. But in fact, fat people will also have the blood and passion for sports.
Today, let’s meet Kailey Kornhauser, a fat girl from Oregon. Her cycling story was made into the short film “All Bodies on Bikes”. Through her story, you may be able to better understand the true meaning of enjoying sports.
#A Fat Girl Cycling Story#
I’m a fat girl, but I love sports. It is undeniable that I always feel some vague discrimination when I exercise outdoors as if a fat girl like me is not suitable for outdoor activities at all.
Through the Internet, I came to the two clubs, Likely Hikers and Fat Girls Hiking, both of which are sports clubs founded in Oregon, and both are committed to making sports more enjoyable for more people. Therefore, I have a different favorable impression of Oregon.
My Biking the Road
In the fall of 2017, I moved to Corvallis for a forest ecosystems Ph.D. My luggage is very simple, except for my personal clothes, it is my favorite bicycle. She has always been my most important partner.
I adjusted to life in Corvallis very quickly. When I have nothing to do, I cycle through the dense coastal forests of Oregon. I quickly found the best cycling routes to school and to the supermarket. Occasionally, I also ride specifically to McDonald’s, 5 miles away from campus, for my academic research.
In a solo ride, every grass and tree in nature has become my most faithful companion. When I go up the mountain, I tell myself to work harder and harder; when I go down the mountain, I take a deep breath and try to control myself before the fear and the unknown. This wonderful experience gives me something new every time.
While I was still in my own little world, my classmates discovered my hobby. She invited me to join her team to explore further routes together. This is a long-distance route from Corvallis to Hiatt Farm, 23 miles long. When I received the invitation, I was really flattered. Because, for a fat girl like me, in the outdoor sports group is always regarded as a “drag bottle”. I’m afraid I can’t keep up with the team.
But in fact, this expedition made me fall in love with Oregon completely, with some of the cutest people here. As a small group of us ride through the winding Willamette Valley, the majestic wonders of nature were made even more dazzling by the breeze and the sun. When got tired, we rested in the shade and quietly enjoyed delicious cinnamon rolls and coffee. Everyone on the team was warm and lovely, and they never made me feel different as a fat girl. In their eyes, we are just a group of purest cyclists, enjoying this most wonderful riding journey together.
Bike to the Beach
I stumbled across the route Corvallis to the Sea Trail (also known as the C2C route). This is a hiking and biking trail that runs through the Oregon Coast Mountains for about 60 miles. This route is also a great bike camping route. For me, this is undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge. Before coming to Oregon, I also tried biking to camp, but never really got around to doing it.
In 2019, I started this adventure with a few friends. We set off from Corvallis on a nice Saturday morning, following 32 miles of gravel and one-way roads up and down the side of Marys Peak, finally to Big Elk camp. Along the way, the road up the mountain is endless, as if it will never end, and some of the slopes down the mountain are also very steep, and they are also covered with shrubs such as blackberries. After many difficulties, we finally arrived at the camp by the creek, where we set up camp and made a fire to cook.
The next day, we continued along the coastal forested mountains. When exhausted, we even got out of the car to push the bike and keep going. Finally, we finally saw the sea and beach. When we actually sat on Ona Beach, I had a dream-like feeling. It turns out that I actually accomplished such a thing, and I am proud of myself.
Enjoy Sports
I have bike the C2C several times and every trip is the best experience. Cycling through the forest with friends is a great way to enjoy the exercise and strengthen friendship. My friends and I have enjoyed this ride so much that it can be said that every cycling trip is an indispensable nutrient in our long daily life.
I’m also trying to get more people to join our team. Enjoy sports, everyone is equal. Don’t be ashamed of yourself because of your different body shape. We hope that through our story, we can infect more people and enjoy the fun of sports together.
We have also created the Facebook and Instagram accounts of All Bodies on Bikes, so you are welcome to share your cycling stories with us.
Although Kailey Kornhauser’s story is not as eloquent as that of a champion Olympic athlete, it is more touching for each of us ordinary people.
I hope everyone can find strength in the story of this fat girl, no longer have to worry and be afraid, go out bravely and enjoy the fun of sports.
Get moving, you can too, everyone can!
