Wanderlust

About the trip

15 weeks on my bicycle. 4600 miles across the country. 19 states. 2 massive dog bites. Wrong turns, dazzling vistas, bears, moose, and midwestern misadventures, plus enough stories about sex, politics and culture to tease your brain and challenge all the things you thought you knew about the politics of sexual freedom in America.

From April to July of 2007, I rode my bicycle from New York to San Francisco to meet with and listen to advocates, sexuality educators, and other folks who are working for reproductive autonomy, increased access to health care, and combating negative images of female sexuality.

The tour was supported by Good Vibrations, my favorite local feminist sex store, and sponsored by the Center for Sex and Culture, which provides sex positive sex-education throughout the Bay Area through workshops, events, and classes.

Wanderlust 1: The crew

For most of the summer I rode by myself, but I was joined for two weeks by one other intrepid adventurer – Elizabeth Sy, a close friend and fierce, fabulous woman who has been a co-conspirator in many of my incarnations of joy. She and I co-facilitated a class on Female Sexuality at the Women’s Building in San Francisco and also at UC Berkeley (more on that below) and she is the brains behind Banteay Srai, an empowerment program for young Southeast Asian women who are involved in sex work. As if that weren’t enough, she also founded a socially conscious clothing company with her mother and sister called lush orchid.

Who is Rhonda?

Rhonda is my beloved bicycle, a 2004 Bianchi Volpe. For those of you who want more details, (mainly my bike obsessed uncles, I expect), here they are: Shimano Tiagra components, except for an Ultegra STI shifter on the right because I broke my first shifter. Tiagra is one of the more “affordable” Shimano component sets, but they’ve served me fine so far. I have brand new wheels (thanks Justin!) with Alex touring rims and Tiagra hubs, a Selle Italia Ldy saddle, and fancy red and white striped handlebar tape. I ALSO have a bicycle powered ipod charger (thanks Jake!) and one of those thigamajigs that tells you how far you’ve gone. I have a triple crank in front and a 9 speed cassette, but i have no idea what the gearing ratio is. If you want to come count, let me know!