Teamwork
Together with the team at The Female Explorer, we’ve created a gravel bike that’s more than just a means of getting from A to B on two wheels.
It’s a statement for FLINTA* people, who are often overlooked in the cycling world – and who nevertheless (or perhaps precisely because of this) are taking their place in the saddle. A gravel bike for greater visibility. Greater self-determination. More “I can do this.” For snow, gravel, Sunday rides and spontaneous trips into the great outdoors.
And above all for one thing: courage. Simply setting off, just as you are, without the pressure to perform.
The interview with Leo from Female Explorer
In this interview, Leo from The Female Explorer talks about how the idea came about, what feminist design has to do with graphic design – and why a “little bit more” visibility is sometimes the greatest adventure of all.
Do you remember that moment when you the first time you had the idea of a shared bike with veloheld? What went through your mind at that moment?
It wasn't that long ago that I started gravel biking. Three years ago, inspired by my colleague Nic, I went on my first little bikepacking tour. Since then, as ordinary folks with little expertise, we’ve embarked on crazy adventures that repeatedly pushed us to our limits—from our first local experiences to more ambitious tours through the deserts of Arizona and Andalusia. We learned something new on every tour. And every time, I was on a different bike. That wasn’t so easy for me, and I felt it firsthand: not all bikes are created equal. We learned so much and grew a little more each time. Eventually, I felt a strong need for a bike of my own, but I didn’t want it just for myself—I knew there were plenty of people out there like me. At that point, it was clear to me that I wanted to make it easier for other women to get started. When veloheld approached me, the idea of a “veloheldin” was right there in the air. In my mind, I thought: “Together, we can make a statement.”
Why was the partnership with veloheld particularly important to you?
With its steel frames, veloheld embodies both a more sustainable approach to cycling and a spirit of genuine adventure. These are values that really resonate with us. What’s more, as smaller companies based in Leipzig and Dresden, we share similar roots, and we both love to lose ourselves in product development. We also felt it was important to give the ‘veloheld’ a female counterpart.
How did the collaboration with us go? Was there a moment that you particularly remember well ?
The best moment was, of course, when the bike stood before me for the very first time after months of work, and when we were able to officially unveil it at our first Female Rideout. I was filled with a strong sense of collective achievement, which was met with a tremendous response. The collaboration didn’t always run smoothly, because we couldn’t rely on existing processes and systems for our ideas, but had to tackle them from scratch. Something we’ve encountered time and again in our journey with The Female Explorer.
You took care of the graphics on the frame: How did you go about it? What was particularly important to you?
We quickly came up with the idea of applying an all-over print to the frame, inspired by our adventures. Hand-drawn scribbles that capture exactly that spirit. We wanted to make a statement that contrasts with the performance-oriented approach in the cycling world. We wanted to express that anyone out there can be out in nature with mud on their frame, that it’s all about the experience and not what the speedometer says.
When designing the bike, what was more important to you: function, feel or style?
The function and the feeling of riding a bike are of course essential to create an experience that is based on genuine needs. A bike that looks nice, but doesn’t suit my body type, which holds me back, instead of helping me move forward. For this reason, it made sense our desire for an adventure bike for women to be transformed hands to hand over and together to develop something, that has value and stands for something .
What does ‘Female Explorer’ on the bike actually mean to you? And how does the bike reflect that?
The “Female Explorer” scribble on the bike is inspired by our “The Female Explorer” logo. We deliberately left out the “The” because we didn’t want it to be a simple logo print, but rather something you can personally identify with and want to wear proudly. In a way, being a Female Explorer is also political. Looking back, it wasn’t so long ago that women weren’t accepted in the mountains, on expeditions or when travelling.
Many FLINTA* people don’t really feel seen in the cycling world. What needs to change?
Barriers to entry must be lowered – not just technical ones, but mental ones too. The diverse bodies, life experiences and needs of FLINTA people must be taken into account. A wide variety of narratives and personas should play a role here, so that clichés and outdated stereotypes are broken down and space is made for greater diversity. FLINTA people, or mothers, should not be judged for pursuing a passion that lies far from ‘typical’ gender roles. Unfortunately, I have experienced this myself on many occasions. A shift in mindset would be welcome here. We need more spaces where FLINTA people can experiment, learn and have fun – without being judged or ridiculed. Workshops, test rides, ride-outs or even communities can ensure that experiences are shared and questions are taken seriously. Most importantly, however, brands, shops and manufacturers need to really listen to what the needs are and take them into account. More FLINTA perspectives in product development and decision-making roles would also ensure that bikes, gear and offerings are better tailored to the diversity of users.
Why do you not need personal bests or wattage readings to get on your bike and set off and set off? What is important to you personally when it comes to adventure on the bike ?
The great outdoors is there for everyone! And anyone who fancies giving it a go shouldn’t be held back by preconceived notions. The limitations we impose on ourselves can also play a part, such as thinking, “I’m not good enough for this” or “I shouldn’t be doing this”. For me, being adventurous means freeing myself from those thoughts and following my curiosity. Personally, what matters to me are the experiences that ground me, that show me what it means to truly be in the moment. The combination of nature, my bike and me, with only the bare essentials, gives me a sense of self-efficacy. And that should be possible for everyone.
How did the launch go? Was there a moment when you thought, “Right, this is for real now!”?
The launch was a real catalyst for me – a moment that showed what we can achieve when we work together. Of course, it was incredible to finally be sitting in the saddle of my own gravel bike, which is tailored exactly to me. But even more than that was the realisation that, with this bike, we’re creating an opportunity for more people to experience the freedom and joy of gravel biking – that’s exactly what made the moment so special for me!
What do you hope it will this bike will trigger in other FLINTA* people?
I hope that this bike inspires one thing above all else: courage. The courage to get on a bike, to be curious and to embark on your own adventures – without gender, height or experience standing in your way. I want FLINTA people to feel that they belong in the cycling world, that they’re allowed to give it a go, that they’re allowed to test their limits – and that they don’t have to conform to do so. My hope is that everyone who sees or tries out this bike will realise: Yes, I can do that too – and yes, I have the space and freedom to express myself fully.
Imagine that someone, there is someone who doesn’t yet dare to set off and you can say a sentence to help a19> the way off – what would you you all say?
When you’re out cycling, it’s not about perfection, but about the experience, the freedom and the joy of finding your own way. It doesn’t matter how far you get – the only thing that counts is that you’re on the move!
Conclusion: This bike is making way
This gravel bike doesn’t want to sell anything. It wants something completely different: You out there out and about. On the bike. At your own pace. With your story. On your adventure. The Female Explorer Edition is for FLINTA people who prefer to leave traces in a28> snow than following set guidelines. For everyone who fancies it being outdoors, but can’t be bothered with “You have to first …”, and for everyone who doesn’t let their sense of adventure be denied – just because they don’t look like them in the catalogue.
We haven’t just fine-tuned the technology, but the attitude too. This is a “Sure you can do it!” gravel bike. A “Do your own thing” gravel bike. A “Perfectly imperfect” gravel bike. You can find all the details about the limited Female Explorer Edition in the shop. Or get in touch with us directly – we look forward to hearing from you.
