Yesterday I had the absolute joy of being part of Queer Sheds’ first ever collaborative bicycle meet-up in Phibsborough, alongside the brilliant Arcane Cycling Team and Bicycle Design Centre crew. What unfolded over three hours was more than just gears and grease – it was a celebration of community, knowledge-sharing, and queer joy on two wheels.
I was invited to speak about bicycles, their components, and to share a little of my own journey – from riding as an elite Irish cyclist to now working with bikes in a very different but equally fulfilling way. It was surreal and affirming to look around the room and see so many faces – bike enthusiasts, the curious, and people who had maybe never turned a spanner on a wheel before – all united in a space that felt safe, warm, and buzzing with curiosity.
The conversations flowed as freely as the tea and chats. We had repair demos, shared advice on keeping bikes healthy, and swapped stories about cycling as both a sport and a lifestyle. What stood out most was the atmosphere: relaxed, supportive, and unapologetically queer. From discussing tyre pressures to queer histories, the afternoon wove together a tapestry of technical skill and community building.
Events like these remind me that bicycles are more than machines – they are connectors. They carry us through cities, they hold our stories, and they create spaces where we can meet each other not just as cyclists, but as people. Yesterday proved that bicycle maintenance doesn’t have to be intimidating – it can be joyful, communal, and political in the best way.
A massive thank you to Queer Sheds Dublin for hosting, and to everyone who showed up with their questions, laughter, and energy. May this be the first of many such gatherings – where queers, bikes, and open-hearted curiosity come together in Phibsborough and beyond.
See you on the road,
Sorcha Rosa
