lusting after women's arses is needless and immature but since it's fun
I don't know about anyone else, but as a hetrosexual male I find myself scratching my head over this strange observation.
Bike Forum
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are women who ride bikes a bit different to those women who dont ride bikes....
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Posted 2 years ago #
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As an aside, competition is very good in all walks of life at every level, especially school as it prepares you for adult life.
If not, you'll fall into the wet-liberal approach that insists that no one should fail.Cue wet-liberal school's approach:
"How about sponsoring me on our school sponsored walk Mister?"
"Sure" I said. "How far and where?"
"Several laps of the 400m running track"
"What! No thanks".Posted 2 years ago # -
IF that is the same Karin.........
I think that I went for a ride with her a few weeks back........
I was IMPRESSED
Posted 2 years ago # -
simonfbarnes - Member
and that's what I'm attacking as needless and childish
well at least you're talking from first hand knowledge on those two human traits.........
Posted 2 years ago # -
re the competetive side of things, there are different ways to look at it. I am not particularly competetive in terms of "ooh I'm faster/ better than you", but I am VERY competetive against myself - I like the challenge of riding something I haven't done before. It's one of the reasons I like the solos - I don't see them as a race, I see them as a personal challenge to do the most I can do within that 24hrs.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't knock Barnes
This country needs Barnes more than he needs it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
but I am VERY competetive against myself
I would argue that was the wrong term in that context. Perhaps 'ambitious'?
Posted 2 years ago # -
simonfbarnes - Member
simplistic. It's also human nature to be able to out think raw instinct and shape our perceptions. Only one person can be first - everyone can share the fun of getting thereJust as everyone can share the fun of competition even if they don't win...
except there's no downside
Plenty of women don't like dirty old men...
Posted 2 years ago # -
I don't think Simon's got the jist of competitiveness at all.
I personally have set times on most every ride I do and as the weather gets dryer, the fitness improves I have to be bettering those times every ride.
That's just my competitive nature.
Not coming last at a race can be just as competitive as trying for the podium.But really, this has deviated away from the OP.
Posted 2 years ago # -
No, I think competitive is right. I see it like “right last time you got up to x rock, get 5 feet past it” or “last time you were in big sprocket, move down one”. It’s a competition against myself definitely.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I personally have set times on most every ride I do and as the weather gets dryer, the fitness improves I have to be bettering those times every ride
eeeek - edges away from the scary man
I have no idea how long anything takes me, but suspect taking longer is better as it prolongs the fun :o)I don't think Simon's got the jist of competitiveness at all.
I'm content to prefer cooperation!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Which possibly makes your thoughts and ideas about competition a little pointless if you don't understand the meaning of the word!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have 4 bikes and I when I am not riding them I am thinking about them.
I have two female friends and about 15 male friends who are the same.
I got into mountain biking because I used to follow my older brother around like a little sheep, not wanting to miss out on the fun that he and his mates seemed to have and so when they all got mountain bikes, so did I.
If your lady is showing an interest in the sport, then of course, get her to have a go! But if she's only doing it because she wants to spend more time with you then she's unlikely to enjoy it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Like many others on here, I don't think it is simply an issue of gender. I'd also say that having a competetive nature and mountain biking aren't intrinsically linked. An appreciation for the outdoors is probably a bit of a prerequisite though.
For myself, (Prob relevant to add that I'm 26 and female) I've always been into the outdoors but only discovered mountain biking in the last few years. I enjoy it for its own sake, want to learn a little more about the maintenance side and improve my technical ability but never intend or expect to be more than a casual enthusiast.
P.S. Hello all, btw, I'm new
Posted 2 years ago # -
Which possibly makes your thoughts and ideas about competition a little pointless if you don't understand the meaning of the word!
I know what it means - I just don't happen to find it useful in biking
and BTW, in case you hadn't noticed, cluelessness about a subject has never been a barrier to entering the discussions on STW
Posted 2 years ago # -
To say anyone is non-competitive is complete baloney!
That day, you are the very bi-product of the very best, the strongest, the most forceful, the most competitive, simply the most able & capable sperm that your father could produce.
You started off being highly competitive, you will, without knowing it, continue to be so every day of your life, in so many ways, until your dying day.So it's a false account of your life if you believe, in error, that you are not competitive. Just being you is testament to that fact - you are a living testament, a marvel of evolution itself!
Posted 2 years ago # -
That day, you are the very bi-product of the very best, the strongest, the most forceful, the most competitive, simply the most able & capable sperm that your father could produce.
but I am not the sperm, I merely carry copies of its genes
You started off being highly competitive, you will, without knowing it, continue to be so every day of your life, in so many ways, until your dying day.
I'm not arguing that we aren't competetive creatures, only that I consider it better set aside for cooperation in mountain biking. We need not be slaves to our instincts.
So it's a false account of your life if you believe, in error, that you are not competitive.
I believe I'm better qualified than you to comment on my own motivations, and I prefer a model of activity based on personal, not relative achievement. I strive to do the best I can do, regardless of what others may.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I strive to do the best I can do
Your perception of what the best you can do is will be shaped by what you see is possible. Just look at gymnastics/all sorts of other sports where what was considered amazing even 10 years ago is now pretty standard.
Competition helps most people actually do the best they can do. Obviously you're the exception that proves the rule.
Posted 2 years ago # -
One male, one female.
Are we in fact seeing one person, two ID's here on STW?Come clean Simon & Cinamon, your cover is blown!
LOL at Ti29er
Simon and I have 'known' each other for years on here through various
argumentsdiscussions.
I do actually agree with most of what he says, dunno if it's an age thing or what.I just feel strongly that more people are not encouraged to participate in sport generally, both male and female.
Having struggled with massive self-esteem issues for most of my life, sport has been my saviour. Always felt worthless, useless, lacking in self-confidence, frightened of failure so wouldn't attempt anything - too many demons in my head.
There was someone in my head always saying "you're being stupid, you will fail" and I had to fight against that, still do sometimes.
Took up running and at the age of 40, I ran a cross-country marathon. It completely changed me as a person, I stopped feeling rubbish about myself despite not having achieved a sub-4 which I was quite capable of. Had to give up running and took up mtb'ing instead.
You don't need to be competitive to get enjoyment out of participating in a sport!
What really frustrates me now is that I have never reached my full potential. Sport can have such a a positive impact on your life. Old wounds have been reopened and tears are splattering the keyboard so will sign off.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Your perception of what the best you can do is will be shaped by what you see is possible.
but I don't confuse example with competition
Competition helps most people actually do the best they can do
I'd like to see some evidence for this as I suspect it's plain wrong. I try to do well at photography, running and participating in rides, writing reports and documenting rides and hopefully not falling off my bike too much. None of these things involves competition. I never watch competitive sport as it makes me feel inadequate and I'd rather be doing something less passive.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am glad you're not one & the same, or even twins seperated at birth as the one picture we have of you suggests a natrually very beautiful woman.
We can't have two of you competing for honours!
Besides, you're only 30 (?). (waits for a slap).Wait 'til you get the other side of 40 & are still single, then you'll either revel in your single-ness or have been consumed by self-doubt!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've worried about my earlier posts all the way home. I made myself sound like a complete arrogant ****t. I'm not, honestly, I just love bikes and cycling. I love racing, I'm not fast, I just love it. I'm not great at technical stuff, but I like to try, get a buzz from it, and would like to be better.
Further thought on the boy/girl thing. Just when I got pregnant I was learning to skateboard, and had my own motorbike - totally lost my bottle when I got pregnant. Continued as a wuss throughout my life, massive self-esteem issues etc etc. Now I am coming out of the menopause I am finding my bottle again - wondering if this is because, now I am no longer able to breed, nature has deemed me disposable and doesn't care if I smash my brains out on a rocky downhill?
Posted 2 years ago # -
CG - YGM
Posted 2 years ago # -
Apologies for my ramblings yesterday :oops:. Menopausal obviously.
Thanks to those who e-mailed offering support, much appreciated.
Karin - go girl!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yay Karinofine - I certainly didn't think you at all arrogant. In fact I'm secretly envious.
cinnamon_girl, we have so much in common it's quite spooky.
In answer to the OPs question, I have often felt different from my non-biking friends and because of this I can't talk to them about the sport I love so much, 'cos they wouldn't understand. Different in the fact I don't like shopping (well not those out of town malls anyway). I prefer to be outside regardless of the weather and feel such freedon on a bike. Also love the adrenalin buzz when conquering a certain steep section, or clearing an ascent that has always been too tricky in the past.
Oh yes and looking at all the fit blokes in their body armour doesn't do any harm to a lady.Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh yes and looking at all the fit blokes in their body armour doesn't do any harm to a lady.
surely out of it would be better ?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Depends whether they ride and are generally sporty or are actually really into bikes and happy to discuss in detail all about bikes.
I think its rare to find women who are happy to have 'bike geek' type conversations. I have several women friends who ride but none of them are likely to begin a conversation with 'how many bikes have you got and what are they? - as I (nearly 40 yr old Mum of 2 did at a drinks party last week!!)
I was very into bikes/BMX as a child I have always loved them - not as a way of exercising but for fun.
Competitiveness - I think this is just individual - blokes or girls, although I think you tend to only get the super keen women racing whereas there is more of a mix of blokes.Posted 2 years ago # -
Go to any horsey event and tell me that the ladies aren't mad-keen!
It's the blokes who do the behind the scenes stuff but they're massively out-numbered by the ladies when it comes to the actual riding (in the UK).
Two of my ex's worked with horses, so I can spot a Dandy brush at a 1000 yds!As Prince Philip wryly observed when asked by his / the pilot on the Queen's Flight if HM Queen would like to have a tour of the cockpit whilst in mid flight, his comment perhaps summs it up nicely, "She's not interested unless it can bite & fart".
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'd like to see some evidence for this as I suspect it's plain wrong
Now you suspect plain wrong too. In my youth I use to compete in Judo. And I mean very compete with all that goes around (long and hard training, dieting and weight watching). It has taught me discipline and not to give up and to push myself beyond what I thought was the limit. It strengthen your mental too, that's what makes a difference between a good one and a champion (I have anecdotal example of that). You can say all what you want on this one you are just plain wrong as if you've never compete you'll never understand it.Posted 2 years ago # -
Now you suspect plain wrong too.
well your example proves nothing, and doesn't even mention competition anyway, but what I mean is that if you average it out over everybody, competition may drive a few to dramatic limits, but I feel that many many more will be put off to the extent that they never try, so the overall effect on fitness is negative.
Posted 2 years ago # -
well your example proves nothing, and doesn't even mention competition anyway
Me think you should re-read me more correctly
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have always enjoyed riding bikes, but mostly as a means of transport - lived in a village and then chose to buy a bike instead of a years tube pass when living in London. Still it has taken me 4 years to get to a stage where me and Mr S are riding happily together at a similar level - although he is stronger and braver than me. He has put in some serious effort into getting me back into mtb - we had rigid steel mtb's before kids took over our lives. However I sought out other women to ride with - chased after a woman riding past on her mtb while I was walking the dog and then joined a womens mtb group. We have also put in a considerable amount of effort into getting the children (girls - now teenagers) to enjoy riding too.
I admit I am odd. I thought that everyone's dad taught their children (girls and boys) to mend punctures and only had this illusion shattered in the last four years..most notably by my brother in law who has a degree in astrophysics, but needed help with a puncture.
If I hadn't loved being out on a bike, I wouldn't have stuck at it, but I have and I love it and it helps keep me sane as well.Posted 2 years ago # -
Me think you should re-read me more correctly
oh yes, so you do
Not that it makes any difference to my argument.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Edited because I simply can't be arsed.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think it's about roles. Men find themselves in roles requiring competitiveness more than women so there is a greater tendency for that. But it's really not cut and dried.
As a so-called-spod, I was not not expected to be sporty and I'm not endowed with great strength and coordination. But I through a non-competitive approach, I've come to love hiking, tennis, badminton, cycling and even a bit of running. For me, these are more activities than sports because while I like and try to "win", I really don't care if I lose as long as I play well.
I think if you are competitive, then you should be pushed to win win win. But if you're not, you should be pushed to play play play. When I did sports at school, there was no joy or passion or education in it, only the crowing of winners and the ignomony of defeat; no wonder people have learned to hate sports! The mistake to make non-competitive people think that when they lose a silly game it means they are losers in life, so they shun it.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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