Get ready to ride with Pride! 🌈 June is Pride Month, a vibrant celebration that honors the LGBTQ+ community and commemorates the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village back in 1969. This historic event ignited a movement to challenge discriminatory laws and uplift LGBTQ+ voices. Today, Pride Month is a global phenomenon, with parades, festivals, and other events celebrating love and identity in all its forms.
But why “Pride”? Well, you can thank Brenda Howard, a bisexual New York activist known as the “Mother of Pride.” She organized the first Pride parade in 1970 to mark the first anniversary of Stonewall, and the tradition has only grown since. And let’s not forget the iconic rainbow flag, designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker. Its six colorful stripes—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet—symbolize diversity and inclusion.
As cycling instructors, you can embrace this spirit with a high-energy Pride-themed ride. We’ve put together a killer bucket playlist of 220 songs to keep the energy up and the spirits high. You’ll find disco classics like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Sylvester and “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, along with ’90s anthems like George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” and Madonna’s “Vogue.” And for a modern twist, add “Heavy Cross” by Gossip and “Let’s Have a Kiki” by Scissor Sisters. These tracks are sure to get your riders pumped and proud.
Speaking of “kiki,” it’s a term from Black American gay culture, meaning a fun gathering with friends for gossip and chit-chat. So, while you spin those wheels, why not create a mini-kiki atmosphere in your class? Encourage your riders to dress in their brightest colors and bring their best vibes. It’s all about community, love, and, of course, having a blast. Let’s ride with pride!
Try our brand-new Pride Ride by Fern!
Introducing “The Rainbow Ride,” an invigorating cycling profile created by Fern Stancer. While originally designed to commemorate Pride Month, this ride transcends specific themes, inviting participants to embrace the power of music every day of the year. Featuring an electrifying mix of high-energy anthems from our bucket playlist by iconic artists beloved by the LGBTQ community and beyond such as George Michael, ABBA, Bronski Beat, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Lil Nas X, and many more, “The Rainbow Ride” promises an unforgettable experience for riders of all backgrounds. Remember, enjoy this ride in June for sure, but make sure to schedule it for next fall as well!
Thanks for all of the great song selections. I have one to add that I’m using as my stretching song, it’s “Boys in the Street” by Greg Holden.
just added it, thank you! Listening to the words now, amazing, bringing tears to my eyes.
Thanks for this! I have been planning a pride ride, but there is so much great music ill probably have to sprinkle some songs in all month! I also found ‘Bold’ by Mary Lambert-beat translates to 75 RPM and I use it as part of a warm up ramp. One of my participants also recommended “to The Limit’ by Joan Armatrading. The beat is 107, so I use it when I’m letting them choose their preferred cadence for a flat road effort. Looking forward to checking out the rest of your list!