What do you think?
Rate this book
Stand: A memoir on activism. A manual for progress. What really happens when we stand on the front lines of change.
What really happens when we stand on the front lines of change? For Bertine, former ESPN columnist and professional cyclist, activism wasn't even on her radar in 2008. She was busy trying to get to the Beijing Olympic Games. When her ESPN assignment ended, advocacy took hold. Why aren't women allowed at the Tour de France? she wondered. In 2009, wonder turned to action. Then action became something bigger than bicycles. The next decade brought global petitions, documentary films, secret meetings, bullying managers, benched careers, personal demons, brain injuries, devastating depression, inner peace and historic victories for equal opportunity. With unabashed honesty, irreverence, vulnerability, history, humor and authenticity, Bertine's memoir-turned-manual on activism takes us behind the scenes of what really happens when we stand up and fight for what we believe. And why we must.
STAND delivers a poignant message to readers from all walks of We all have the power to create change. When we do it right, the struggle is worth the journey.
STAND delivers a poignant message to readers from all walks of We all have the power to create change. When we do it right, the struggle is worth the journey.
- GenresNonfictionCycling
410 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2021
11 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Bertine
9 books12 followers Kathryn Bertine is an author, athlete, activist and documentary filmmaker. She retired from professional bike racing in 2017 but remains active in advancing equity for women’s pro cycling.
Off the bike, Bertine is a filmmaker, activist, journalist and author of four nonfiction books, All the Sundays Yet to Come, As Good As Gold, The Road Less Taken and STAND.
From 2006 through 2012, Bertine was a columnist, author and senior editor for ESPN. When she pitched a documentary film on women’s pro cycling to ESPN in 2012, they rejected the proposal. So Bertine decided she would make it herself. After a two-year labor of love and crowdsourcing adventures, in 2014, HALF THE ROAD: The passion, pitfalls and power of women’s professional cycling was released. It won five film festivals, debuted in 16 nations, scored international distribution and successfully brought the hammer down on the corruption and sexism in sports. Half the Road is now available on iTunes, Vimeo, Amazon Prime and DVD. Five years later, she continues to receive royalties on a film ESPN said no one would watch.
As an advocate for equality in women’s sports, Bertine then started the social activism movement Le Tour Entier in an effort to bring parity to women’s professional road cycling, starting with the Tour de France. She and her team succeeded, and women’s field was included in 2014 with the addition of La Course by Tour de France. In 2017, she founded (and currently serves as CEO for) Homestretch Foundation, which provides free housing to female professional athletes struggling with the gender pay gap. Bertine was featured on the cover of Bicycling Magazine and profiled in Outside Magazine for her platforms of implementing change in the world.
As an activist, Bertine continues to serve as a public speaker/lecturer on equality and advocacy. She shares her journey and her message—that through passion, disruption, opportunity and focus, anything is possible and we’re all capable of effecting change—with corporations, universities and other professional outlets.
A native of Bronxville, NY she lives in Tucson, AZ. She holds a BA from Colgate University and an MFA from the University of Arizona and a PhD from The School of Hard Knocks. You can follow her on Twitter: @kathrynbertine @halftheroad @letourentier @HomestretchFdn FB: @KathrynBertine Insta:@Kathryn_Bertine and www.kathrynbertine.com
Off the bike, Bertine is a filmmaker, activist, journalist and author of four nonfiction books, All the Sundays Yet to Come, As Good As Gold, The Road Less Taken and STAND.
From 2006 through 2012, Bertine was a columnist, author and senior editor for ESPN. When she pitched a documentary film on women’s pro cycling to ESPN in 2012, they rejected the proposal. So Bertine decided she would make it herself. After a two-year labor of love and crowdsourcing adventures, in 2014, HALF THE ROAD: The passion, pitfalls and power of women’s professional cycling was released. It won five film festivals, debuted in 16 nations, scored international distribution and successfully brought the hammer down on the corruption and sexism in sports. Half the Road is now available on iTunes, Vimeo, Amazon Prime and DVD. Five years later, she continues to receive royalties on a film ESPN said no one would watch.
As an advocate for equality in women’s sports, Bertine then started the social activism movement Le Tour Entier in an effort to bring parity to women’s professional road cycling, starting with the Tour de France. She and her team succeeded, and women’s field was included in 2014 with the addition of La Course by Tour de France. In 2017, she founded (and currently serves as CEO for) Homestretch Foundation, which provides free housing to female professional athletes struggling with the gender pay gap. Bertine was featured on the cover of Bicycling Magazine and profiled in Outside Magazine for her platforms of implementing change in the world.
As an activist, Bertine continues to serve as a public speaker/lecturer on equality and advocacy. She shares her journey and her message—that through passion, disruption, opportunity and focus, anything is possible and we’re all capable of effecting change—with corporations, universities and other professional outlets.
A native of Bronxville, NY she lives in Tucson, AZ. She holds a BA from Colgate University and an MFA from the University of Arizona and a PhD from The School of Hard Knocks. You can follow her on Twitter: @kathrynbertine @halftheroad @letourentier @HomestretchFdn FB: @KathrynBertine Insta:@Kathryn_Bertine and www.kathrynbertine.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2021
This book was much more than I expected and I highly recommend. It isn't just a guide to activism or a fascinating history of women's cycling, but also a personal story of one woman's quest to make a difference and the impact it has on all areas of her life. This compelling read is inspiring, while at times, heartbreaking. Read it, you won't be disappointed.
March 13, 2021
I believe I first became "introduced" to Kathryn Bertine when her book "As Good as Gold" came out. I read it, loved it, and had emailed with her a few times. I also asked her for some advice on a bike course for a 70.3 triathlon I was doing. I'm sure she doesn't remember that. I also tried to pitch her a story from the synchronized swimming national championships that were happening in Buffalo for ESPNW. She was kind, but I didn't have a tangible story to pitch her, so there wasn't much there. I'm sure she doesn't remember that at all, either.
All this is to say that I've been a fan of Kathryn's since reading one of her previous books, following her on social media, and having a few interactions which were kind and supportive.
So of course I could NOT wait to read this book.
And it is everything you want to know about what it's really like for women to get anything in the sports world.
It's a reminder that while I tried my best to advance women's sports opportunities through my past life as a sportswriter, it's no wonder there were times when I was just like, "Screw it. I'm tired. It's easier to write that Jack Eichel story for the 100th time than fight about covering the amazing women on the UB women's basketball team." I'd like to think I did SOMETHING to help advance women in sports media in the Buffalo market and women's sports coverage as well. Most of the time I doubt I had any impact. But to hear Kathryn say she, too, doubted her impact (she helped create a women's race at the Tour de France for crying out loud!) I realized that maybe I did have an impact in a much smaller way.
So as you can see, this book gave me PLENTY to think about.
Personally, I would have loved more about the personal stuff -- the marriage breakup and how the person she thought was her biggest supporter so easily left her, the depression and her climb out of it. But that's selfish of me. Kathryn has already opened up a vein to talk about this at all. And her vulnerability shows as strength. And I know how difficult it is to tell those stories, to be vulnerable. Perhaps my desire for more, more, more vulnerability is because we have so little of it in available and celebrated in life in general and sports in particular. So thank you, Kathryn, for bearing so much of yourself to us to help us feel not so alone and to better help others around us.
All this is to say that I've been a fan of Kathryn's since reading one of her previous books, following her on social media, and having a few interactions which were kind and supportive.
So of course I could NOT wait to read this book.
And it is everything you want to know about what it's really like for women to get anything in the sports world.
It's a reminder that while I tried my best to advance women's sports opportunities through my past life as a sportswriter, it's no wonder there were times when I was just like, "Screw it. I'm tired. It's easier to write that Jack Eichel story for the 100th time than fight about covering the amazing women on the UB women's basketball team." I'd like to think I did SOMETHING to help advance women in sports media in the Buffalo market and women's sports coverage as well. Most of the time I doubt I had any impact. But to hear Kathryn say she, too, doubted her impact (she helped create a women's race at the Tour de France for crying out loud!) I realized that maybe I did have an impact in a much smaller way.
So as you can see, this book gave me PLENTY to think about.
Personally, I would have loved more about the personal stuff -- the marriage breakup and how the person she thought was her biggest supporter so easily left her, the depression and her climb out of it. But that's selfish of me. Kathryn has already opened up a vein to talk about this at all. And her vulnerability shows as strength. And I know how difficult it is to tell those stories, to be vulnerable. Perhaps my desire for more, more, more vulnerability is because we have so little of it in available and celebrated in life in general and sports in particular. So thank you, Kathryn, for bearing so much of yourself to us to help us feel not so alone and to better help others around us.
February 6, 2022
Kathryn Bertine details her activism for equality with women’s cycling in Stand. It’s a memoir detailing the ups and down in her professional life, and the ups and down in her personal life. All those ups and downs are framed in the story of her efforts to get a women’s version of the Tour de France and move towards equality between women’s professional cycling and men’s professional cycling.
Kathryn is a bad ass athlete and a fantastic writer. I first came across her writing in As Good as Gold. She worked for ESPN documenting her quest to make the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. She tried lots of sports: triathlon, modern pentathlon, team handball, luge, rowing, open water swimming, racewalking, track cycling, and road cycling. She was unsuccessful in most of those. She was a competitive triathlete, but not at an Olympic level. Turns out she was excellent at cycling and that experience led to her pro career.
It was the vast difference in treatment of the men’s and women’s professional cycling that lead to Stand. She encountered clear discrimination and dismissive treatment by those running the professional cycling organizations. Sponsors were not there for women’s cycling because there was so much less coverage of women’s cycling. There was so much less coverage because the cycling organizations were not promoting the races and therefore there were fewer sponsors. I view it as a terrible circle of passing the blame.
It took someone like Kathryn to stand up and push for equality. Stand is her story in this push for equality.
Kathryn is a bad ass athlete and a fantastic writer. I first came across her writing in As Good as Gold. She worked for ESPN documenting her quest to make the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. She tried lots of sports: triathlon, modern pentathlon, team handball, luge, rowing, open water swimming, racewalking, track cycling, and road cycling. She was unsuccessful in most of those. She was a competitive triathlete, but not at an Olympic level. Turns out she was excellent at cycling and that experience led to her pro career.
It was the vast difference in treatment of the men’s and women’s professional cycling that lead to Stand. She encountered clear discrimination and dismissive treatment by those running the professional cycling organizations. Sponsors were not there for women’s cycling because there was so much less coverage of women’s cycling. There was so much less coverage because the cycling organizations were not promoting the races and therefore there were fewer sponsors. I view it as a terrible circle of passing the blame.
It took someone like Kathryn to stand up and push for equality. Stand is her story in this push for equality.
July 12, 2022
This should stand as a blueprint for activism, but also as a cautionary tale for what could happen when you devote your life to service and uplifting others. That life requires a certain type of person, and Kathryn Bertine has the minerals to do it. Again, every activist, potential or current, should read this book if for no other reason than to realize how not alone-they are, and to sharpen their activism.
Some highlights:
• Track cyclists getting behind the idea of Tour de France for women, without actually wanting to race. "My races are three minutes, I have no desire whatsoever to race for three weeks, but I'm all for a women's Tour!" That cracked me up. This illustrates Bertine's lively and versatile sense of humor, and I'm insanely jealous of anyone who can write funny, even over such a heavy topic. This was also some fun insight from within the sport; track cyclists and road cyclists (to say nothing of mountain cyclists and cyclocrossers and so forth) are different breeds.
• UCI head Brian Cookson would be right at home in our Democratic party — campaigning on a platform of change, getting elected/appointed to the big chair, then giving up because change is too hard and the status quo too comfortable—and lucrative. He deserves every bit of smoke.
• Along with her humor, Bertine's courage and vulnerability in telling *every* part of her story are impressive. This makes the book a bit of a cautionary tale, but well worth the telling.
One single lowlight:
• It needed another edit. The narrative remained straightforward from Point A to Point B, no holes in the plot or anything like that, but I found typos throughout, though I'm willing to consider she left them in as evidence of humanity in the face of TBI. The editor in me never sleeps, for better or worse. This keeps it from the coveted (hah) Dave S. five-star ranking.
Highly recommended, though.
Some highlights:
• Track cyclists getting behind the idea of Tour de France for women, without actually wanting to race. "My races are three minutes, I have no desire whatsoever to race for three weeks, but I'm all for a women's Tour!" That cracked me up. This illustrates Bertine's lively and versatile sense of humor, and I'm insanely jealous of anyone who can write funny, even over such a heavy topic. This was also some fun insight from within the sport; track cyclists and road cyclists (to say nothing of mountain cyclists and cyclocrossers and so forth) are different breeds.
• UCI head Brian Cookson would be right at home in our Democratic party — campaigning on a platform of change, getting elected/appointed to the big chair, then giving up because change is too hard and the status quo too comfortable—and lucrative. He deserves every bit of smoke.
• Along with her humor, Bertine's courage and vulnerability in telling *every* part of her story are impressive. This makes the book a bit of a cautionary tale, but well worth the telling.
One single lowlight:
• It needed another edit. The narrative remained straightforward from Point A to Point B, no holes in the plot or anything like that, but I found typos throughout, though I'm willing to consider she left them in as evidence of humanity in the face of TBI. The editor in me never sleeps, for better or worse. This keeps it from the coveted (hah) Dave S. five-star ranking.
Highly recommended, though.
April 3, 2022
This book was a rollercoaster. I laughed. I cried. I laughed. I cried some more. I laughed and cried at the same time. There was also a whole lot of eye-rolling when it came down to the amount of sexism in cycling that I learned (spoiler it's BAD! but it's getting better with activists like Bertine).
This book was engaging and funny and heartbreaking and real. I really don't know how to put into words what this book means to me. I think it's so important and it goes beyond cycling. You don't need to be any kind of cyclist to enjoy this book.
The only problem I had was some of the typos that became a bit distracting throughout the book. These can be forgiven because the reader will know what she means when they happen but they did slow down my reading a bit.
Other than that it was truly a great read! I learned a lot. And I'm glad I read this book for research for my own article. I'm not sure I would have picked it up otherwise... and boy would I be missing out! Highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
This book was engaging and funny and heartbreaking and real. I really don't know how to put into words what this book means to me. I think it's so important and it goes beyond cycling. You don't need to be any kind of cyclist to enjoy this book.
The only problem I had was some of the typos that became a bit distracting throughout the book. These can be forgiven because the reader will know what she means when they happen but they did slow down my reading a bit.
Other than that it was truly a great read! I learned a lot. And I'm glad I read this book for research for my own article. I'm not sure I would have picked it up otherwise... and boy would I be missing out! Highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
March 27, 2021
I knew Kathryn was a professional cyclist, outspoken on issues of gender equity in sports, and an activist. I had the sense that she was successful. As this book started, I was exhausted by the activity and optimism. She's a great writer and you really feel her energy. But I didn't expect the bad things - the things that happen in real life - to be so dramatic. There's no middle ground in her journey. Her book takes you on the wild ride, with very high highs and very low lows.
I've also read Phil Gaimon's books (also a former professional cyclist) so I was prepared to read about the poverty-level salaries that all but the top few make. And I expected to read that women make far less than men, but I was still shocked at her story from only a few years ago. So, she took a stand. And she learned some lessons that she shares openly.
It's an emotional book.
I've also read Phil Gaimon's books (also a former professional cyclist) so I was prepared to read about the poverty-level salaries that all but the top few make. And I expected to read that women make far less than men, but I was still shocked at her story from only a few years ago. So, she took a stand. And she learned some lessons that she shares openly.
It's an emotional book.
December 13, 2021
A full history of Bertine's activism to get women into the Tour de France, and her learnings about the ways professional road cycling women athletes are deeply underpaid. This is an all truths bared kind of book, which made parts uncomfortable: Bertine shares the way in which others tried to exclude her for being so forward with her activism and how it made her feel, her relationships, and the details of accidents on the road. But, it is refreshingly honest and a helpful read for anyone who's thought, "It's ridiculous that _____ is still happening in the 21st Century. Let's change that."
August 18, 2022
A wonderful roadmap on what it takes personally to stand up for what’s right. I was introduced to this book via my bookclub with the Ironwomen podcast. As an officer in the military who works on breaking barriers for women I understand first hand that change doesn’t happen overnight and takes a lot more than knocking on doors and signing petitions. Kathryn doesn’t hold back in the pain, frustration, and internal dialogue that fans the flames of activism. Looking forward to checking out her other books.
July 18, 2025
Impact
While the author wanted the book to have an impact on others, I was distracted by the author's lack of awareness of her impact on others. She childishly ranted and raved whenever anyone criticized her. She did not see how her tantrums impacted others. She pushed others away, both professionally and personally. Claiming the moral high ground as an excuse to be deaf and blind towards others. The whole book felt like a dramatic monologue of hurts.
While the author wanted the book to have an impact on others, I was distracted by the author's lack of awareness of her impact on others. She childishly ranted and raved whenever anyone criticized her. She did not see how her tantrums impacted others. She pushed others away, both professionally and personally. Claiming the moral high ground as an excuse to be deaf and blind towards others. The whole book felt like a dramatic monologue of hurts.
February 11, 2021
As a father of four daughters, I love this book. I thought I learned all there is to know over the past 17 years of being married and raising 4 daughters but Kathryn has further enlightened me through her open and honest recount of her journey. The book is a great mix of hard core activism and raw unfiltered humor. Thank you.
March 14, 2021
This book is an authentic, personal, heart-wrenching, heart-warming, and, of course, at times humorous look inside the fight for what it takes to make change, especially in women’s cycling, and the fight to know we make a difference in this world!
This book is packed with so much more. You will be awed by Kathryn’s incredible journey.
This book is packed with so much more. You will be awed by Kathryn’s incredible journey.
March 26, 2021
Well written, beautiful and inspiring. This book was so much more than I expected - even if you're not a cyclist, or an activist this book is a great tale about one woman's journey to make a difference. If you're a fan of authentic memoirs and empowerment then I totally recommend this novel.
February 18, 2021
Well written, moving, and inspiring
March 14, 2021
Best book I've read in a long time! Even if you don't see yourself as an activist or care about cycling, this is a book for anyone who wonders what happens when you decide to try.
April 8, 2021
Powerful
Great read, I was glued to this book from the start. Your journey is enlightening and uplifting at the same time, thanks for sharing.
Great read, I was glued to this book from the start. Your journey is enlightening and uplifting at the same time, thanks for sharing.
April 10, 2021
A must read book for road cycling fans, gender equality activists, and fans of well-written books.
May 16, 2021
Creating change is never easy and Kathryn's story holds lessons for everyone who has, is or will be on that journey.
May 22, 2022
Very interesting read about topics that are important to me.
April 22, 2023
Enjoyable read, and an insight into what makes people great. Not for everyone but a pleasure to know that people that Kathryn fight.
June 9, 2024
rated more for the life and the cost of it, rather than the prose or structure of it.
there is some great introspection, but a lot of repetition.
there is some great introspection, but a lot of repetition.
August 28, 2023
I loved this book. I have followed Kathryn since her days at ESPN and always enjoyed her frank view of life. I also remember her article in Bicycling magazine and her willingness to be vulnerable and write about the hard things.
This book is a fantastic read. It does focus around women's cycling but it is really more than just about a single sport. For me it was about how we women need to bond together and the power that comes when we do. It is also about how a single voice with an idea can start a change in the world that can positively effect people far beyond what they thought it would. It is also about the cost that comes with you put yourself and your ideas out there. Yes positive things happen but sometimes that comes with a personal cost. Kathryn is brave and vulnerable as she explores all of these things in a way that every women can relate to no matter where she is in her lives. It is also a fantastic read for the men out there who I don't think often realize our struggle but who are often on board when they see it.
I would highly recommend this book
I just finished the audiobook and it is worth the listen. The author is the narrator and is the perfect person to read this book. She is able to convey the emotion of the book brilliantly
This book is a fantastic read. It does focus around women's cycling but it is really more than just about a single sport. For me it was about how we women need to bond together and the power that comes when we do. It is also about how a single voice with an idea can start a change in the world that can positively effect people far beyond what they thought it would. It is also about the cost that comes with you put yourself and your ideas out there. Yes positive things happen but sometimes that comes with a personal cost. Kathryn is brave and vulnerable as she explores all of these things in a way that every women can relate to no matter where she is in her lives. It is also a fantastic read for the men out there who I don't think often realize our struggle but who are often on board when they see it.
I would highly recommend this book
I just finished the audiobook and it is worth the listen. The author is the narrator and is the perfect person to read this book. She is able to convey the emotion of the book brilliantly
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews