Name: Emma Missale

Location: Now based in Copenhagen (DK)

Discipline: Trying to get ‘em all… I’ve started riding track bikes mainly for working as a bike messenger in Milan and racing alleycats and tracklocross, but also travelling. Slowly got into road, gravel and cx. Once I moved to Copenhagen three years ago I really discovered cargo and mtb as the most fun. Now I work full time at By-Expressen, but who knows whadup next.

What does riding mean to you?

Riding means so much to me. The whole spectrum of things you can do and reach with a bike is fascinating. It all started as a simple mean of transportation, to move around town and then became my full-time job, the way I spend free time, travel, discover new places, study cities and meet new people. Riding made it possible to become part of a bigger community especially within the bike messenger world, that shares the same passion and most of the time – values. But the main reason why I ride is to detach a bit from reality, following my own flow and pushing over my limits.

What is your favourite set up?

Uh tricky one… right now I’m mostly riding my steel Omnium Cargo XS. The bike has an incredible potential and flexibility, it’s my way to go for any logistics challenge, both at work, everyday life and traveling. I’m quite short – 1,67 m – and the fit is sick! The wide Ti flat bar is mainly for lever reasons and the rest of the parts are meant to ride as smooth as possible.

I do deep maintenance once a month, but with Copenhagen weather a quick check-up everyday also doesn’t hurt. Time pedals and Brooks saddle are a must for me, on this like on every other bike. For racing I’m still loyal to my Cinelli Mash Work V2 I’ve had for 7 years. 

Do you think the environment is male dominated? If yes, what are your thoughts about it?

Ya definitely, the number of non-cis male is steadily growing thought. As well as the awareness around the topic. Few activism groups (e.g. femmess.cc) are really pushing towards spreading a more inclusive cycling culture in general, but there’s still a huge gap between professional and amatorial. The messenger community has been working hard to establish worldwide guidelines for organising inclusive events, but the real step needs to be done by the cis-male, joining critical masculinity workshops and understanding the roots of the issue that lays almost among all sports.

The messenger community has been working hard to establish worldwide guidelines for organising inclusive events, but the real step needs to be done by the cis-male, joining critical masculinity workshops and understanding the roots of the issue that lays almost among all sports.

Any riding plans for the future?

Short future – Japan. I’ll be participating at SlowBurnin’ and CMWC events in Yokohama and traveling for a month after that. If everything goes smooth I will ride a Ti Omnium Minimax XS for the trip and looking forwards to building it over there. Long future – ultra cycling. I’ve been following the different events and I know I will need some extra preparation on top of the courier work I do. What concerns me is the logistics side of actually getting on loco. Flying to Japan is already pushing my inner conflict, so will try to focus on pedals and trains after that.

Ride like a girl is a series of interviews with WTNB (women trans non-binary) riders from around the world. If you would like to be contributed drop us an email.