The Tour de France Femmes wrapped last Sunday, but hot cycling summer is still going strong thanks to social media phenom Laini Bones, aka Laini Ritsch Multer. Bones is gracing FYPs left and right with her iconic “Taking Men’s Strava Crowns” series.

• Bones chooses a segment — fitness tracker Strava allows users to name and “win” stretches of road — then races to take down the leader on that segment, all with her signature grit and humor.

• We chatted with Bones about going viral, the backstory behind the unintentionally empowering series, women in cycling, and so much more. Smashing the patriarchy, one segment at a time.

• Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The Laini Bones account is relatively new, born as a response to the defensive social media activity of fragile men. “Back in March I posted a few satirical videos of taking women’s crowns,” Bones said. “The comment section was filled with dudes saying I’d never be able to smoke the men’s times, so I thought to myself, ‘Perfect! That’s exactly what I’ll do.’”

• She’s been crushing men’s spirits records ever since, selecting stretches of road where she can best the times of unsuspecting crown-owners. No matter how obscure or inconsequential the segment (see: this 0.8-mile flat neighborhood loop), the indomitable trash talk is always out in full force.

Surprise, surprise — many men on the internet do not like this. Most of Bones’ videos have dudes in the comments criticizing or otherwise undermining her, usually missing the entire point, which is comedy. Hey fellas, intensity over irrelevant segments is the whole gag.

• Just how defensive do these dudes get? “I cannot say who, but one of the men’s egos was so fragile that he sent me a cease and desist after I posted his Strava crown video,” Bones said. “I did not cease nor desist.” Speechless.

Laini bones on, gaining a wider and more devoted online audience with each new release. People don’t just love these videos for the cycling or one-ups-manship — Bones is seriously funny, with her videos featuring far more chirping and post-crown cellies than actual riding.

• She told us, “What surprised me the most about going viral…is that people seem stoked that I’m just being myself. …I don’t have to look put together, change my appearance, or edit out clips when I’m being weird. I’m so astounded that I get to just be myself, not overthink what I’m posting, and just have fun with it.”

In the months since she started posting, Bones has of course encountered some very annoying men online, but going viral has also created some unexpectedly uplifting community. “I’m so excited to receive messages from women about how they just bought a bike and are getting into cycling. I never thought I’d be the instigator of someone’s cycling journey, but it’s the coolest thing ever.”

• Bones spoke fondly of the women’s competitive cycling community, which she is now helping grow through her videos: “Women who ride bikes are amazing. This year I started road racing in the U.S. and joined an amazing community of women who are badass competitors and also friends.

• “Even across teams, there are so many long-lasting friendships among women who ride bikes. I think this is because there are not a ton of women who ride (though it’s growing!), and the fact that we suffer side by side for hours at a time naturally leads to bonding.”

And that’s not even including the online vigilantes: “I often get ex-wives or ex-girlfriends in my DMs giving me additional dirt on the man I just boned,” Bones said. Now that’s a community we’d ride with.