convenient childcare option for mothers who might otherwise be on “ kid duty ” and unable to participate in the race .
This year , The Mid South also introduced a registration category for nonbinary cyclists , providing a space of belonging so participants aren ’ t limited to “ male ” or “ female ” categories that might not reflect their identities .
With these steps , The Mid South is supporting not only women , but also other groups that have historically faced exclusion and discrimination in athletic settings . On the surface , it might appear that biking is for individuals often regarded as “ able-bodied ,” Turner said , but in reality , the sport is accessible for most people with the right equipment . Turner said The Mid South has attracted multiple participants who have physical disabilities and use adaptive bikes or tandem bikes .
Decked out in Valentine ’ s Day attire , Clare Paniccia ( left , in red and black ) and Sally Turner take in the scenery at The Truffle Shuffle . Turner and Paniccia , two Stillwater women , collaborated to make the event happen .
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“ You don ’ t have to be a skinny , 100-pound skeleton with skin on it to ride bikes ,” Turner said . “ You can be short , you can be tall , you can be big , you can be little , you can be a man , you can be a woman . You can be whatever you want . Everybody can ride bikes .”
The Truffle Shuffle , a collaborative effort between
Turner and Paniccia , takes this philosophy and puts a quirky spin on it . If The Mid South is analogous to a sleek , sturdy , built-for-speed bike , then The Truffle Shuffle is a bike decked out with bells and whistles and streamers on the handlebars . Paniccia likened it to a younger sibling of The Mid South . The Truffle Shuffle is a spoof of more serious races — costume-wearing participants ride in a loop and are selected for elimination at random times — which means it ’ s a fun way for people to ease into competitive cycling with no pressure .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE