“One year, neither of us could find jobs here,” Sprout said. Photo by Alexis Valtenbergs | Sage (left) and Sprout (right) inside Moon Cycles in Arcata on Jan. After facing gender discrimination in the hiring process and being looked over in lieu of men, they decided to open their own shop instead.

Sage and Sprout met in Humboldt County while trying to find jobs at other bike shops, to no avail. “We’re not looking down on anyone for not knowing correct terminology or what the names of parts are or stuff like that.” “I’ve seen that especially with men but like most people, if they come in and they don’t know the words for things, they’ll feel apologetic,” Sprout said. Moon Cycles an accepting space for everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. Just that they’re great people, and they’re queer-friendly.”Īlthough Moon Cycles is queer-owned, it’s not just for queer people. “I loved the idea since I’m a big bike rider. “My friend Susan did an article for the L-Word, so once I heard about it I started going,” Hilton said. Hilton first caught wind of the shop in the L-Word, a lesbian newsletter based in Humboldt County. Sue Hilton, a 71-year-old lifelong bicyclist, is a regular customer at Moon Cycles. “Even if we don’t feel like women, the moon is a signal to our queerness and difference.” “It’s a play on words, the moon being associated with femininity and the menstrual cycle,” Sage said. Photo by Alexis Valtenbergs | Sprout standing in the doorway of their store Moon Cycles in Arcata on Jan.

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