After losing her job as a film buyer last year, Costa Mesa resident Lisa Kanno took a leap and opened her own bike shop specifically for women.

The Unlikely Cyclist, her one-woman store, is tucked into a strip center near Irvine Avenue and 17th Street. It opened in October and offers gear and apparel designed with the woman rider in mind.

Why did you decide to open this shop?

One of things I was always so frustrated with was walking into local bike shops – they’re so male-centric. There are hardly ever women’s products on the floor. Especially as a plus-size rider, a larger-size rider, there was really nothing available, and I had to shop online. You’d go into a bike store and they wouldn’t even have a fitting room. All of a sudden you’d be trying on clothes in some disgusting bathroom that guys had been using and hadn’t cleaned in a year. So I really wanted to create something that would service women.

How are women’s needs in cycling different from men?

Well, obviously physiologically we just have differences. We have different parts. You need a smaller frame, and the female anatomy is different when it comes to the three points that hit your bike: your hands, your saddle, and your feet. Once upon a time, the industry used to just “shrink-it and pink-it.” Essentially they’d take a men’s jersey and they would make it female coloring. You used to see a lot of jerseys that had flowers and butterflies…bikes that were bright pink or lavender. We’ve moved away from that.

What’s the biggest complaint you get from women about bike shops?

Women always complain that when they go into them, they’re intimidating. You tend to get bike shops that are run by guys who are a little egotistical about their riding and a little bit less willing to help a beginner.

There have been two cycling deaths in Newport recently. What would you say to women who are scared to get on the road?

First off, I would say you have to accept that cycling is a dangerous sport. The biggest thing is you have to be prepared and be mindful of what is going on around you. And then, just get out there, and get the experience before you get out on the road. I always recommend to beginners to stay on the bike paths, get stable on your bike. Don’t go out and clip in when you’re unsure of yourself on the bike. That was one of the deaths that happened. She actually was clipped in and fell over.

What’s your favorite local ride?

It’s the Back Bay, for sure. I am very lucky in that I live really close to it. I live over by Santa Ana (Avenue) and Irvine (Avenue). It’s the first place I started riding. It is still somewhere that when I ride every time, it is just beautiful to me. I love the solitude – getting out there first thing in the morning, with just a couple of runners. It’s not exactly a challenging ride, but it’s just as beautiful and fun.

Why did you decide to get into cycling?

I am actually a two-time cancer survivor, so when I got cancer the first time, I just decided to change my lifestyle, and get out of the fact that I was working 60 hours a week, and take some time for myself. It was a New Year’s resolution. I lost a lot of weight. Riding for me has always been about fixing myself one way or another.

Why open in this location, here in Costa Mesa?

This is kind of a funky little strip mall. I go to the nail salon next door, I go to the tailor, I go to the shoe guy. I was able to make a great deal on my lease that gave me the opportunity to take time to establish my business and not worry about high overhead. It wasn’t – dare I say – an Irvine Co. building. I wanted to get into a place like this – a little funky, beachy strip mall. This to me is quintessential Costa Mesa.

Contact the writer: This interview has been edited and condensed.