[Closed] Female riders - would you enter an event that categorised you as a 'whore'?

It's obvious they're using the word "whore" with the more modern meaning of using something a lot.
Still, it's a bit silly.

They're not using it just in that context though, are they? Three of the four categories are named after terms that are used (often negatively in the case of Whore and Cougar) to describe women according to their sexuality. That's not exactly a coincidence, is it?

The fourth category really should be "enduro jailbait" or "enduro lolitas" 😈

Does cougar really mean 'over 30'? I thought that was the american version of GILF.

Does cougar really mean 'over 30'?

Does "whore" really mean "done it more than three times"?

[quote=retro83 ]Does cougar really mean 'over 30'? I thought that was the american version of GILF.

If only there was an easy way for finding out information like that on the internet...

I do get that 'whore' isn't meant in the usual sense here, it just means someone who can't get enough of racing enduro

This would be true if the categories were novice, regular and whore, not virgin, cougar and whore.

I find it all a bit sad and to be honest it does put me off. It doesn't make me feel offended as such, but it makes the event sound like it is aimed at lad/ladette market rather than the family-friendly market.

…it makes the event sound like it is aimed at lad/ladette market rather than the family-friendly market.

Yup, that was the one thing that I couldn't? get my head around back in the days of Page 1: it would probably just be an unremarkable bit of take-it-or-leave-it irreverent humour among adults, but it seems weird alongside the encouragement of 8 year olds to get involved. If my daughter was 20 and entering the event then great; at 16 (the minimum for that event) then maybe it's workable; but if I was looking for events for her to go to aged 8, then for me this naming would count these events out. Maybe the kids don't find out until the age of 16 that they're aspiring whores, I dunno. Just seems like something I'd steer clear of as a parent of a younger child. YMMV. Wrong end of the country for us to show up to anyway 😉

Bez - Member

it seems weird alongside the encouragement of 8 year olds to get involved in it.

There isn't any encouragement for 8 year olds to get involved; enduro maiden is 16s and over. Mini Maidens is a separate event run by the same people, there's no crossover.

aracer - Member
If only there was an easy way for finding out information like that on the internet...

Quite right, posting on Singletrack, which is exactly what I've done.

How is your research going retro?

There isn't any encouragement for 8 year olds to get involved; enduro maiden is 16s and over. Mini Maidens is a separate event run by the same people, there's no crossover.

Fair dos then, I guess. I figure there must be a de facto "career path" from Mini to Baby to Virgin to Whore, though, which still seems a bit creepy.

sweet jesus of baby Nazareth

Maidens is a separate event run by the same people, there's no crossover.

It's the organiser's fault for not being confident enough in their event that they've used such 'naughty' (giggle, etc...) name

or being confident enough that they don't give a toss what internerds think

[quote=Big-Bud ]sweet jesus of baby Nazareth

I think he'd actually be in the cougar category

matt_outandabout - Member

Apart from the fact that the day they do turn 16

Last I checked, that doesn't happen when they're 8.

And "the fact that the people who work with these young people hold these values"- what [i]values[/i]?

And "the fact that the people who work with these young people hold these values"- what values?

Well, getting ~70 women riding in an Enduro race.

I assume all those being negative all have done more for the female side of mountain biking than Airmaiden.

Photo of women being insulted in last year's race.

[img] [/img]

Any single speed whores cougars fancy a dabble at single speeding come and sign up but be ready for the bitchiness!
https://www.ssuk17.com

I assume all those being negative all have done more for the female side of mountain biking than Airmaiden.

Life isn't that simple. Yes, they're doing something positive for female MTBing but they're also doing something which many perceive negatively and which could be easily changed with no detriment, except to the organisers' egos.

which many perceive negatively

I'm unclear on what research proves this. There's *some* on this forum, yes. If we made all of our decisions based on how people on web forums feel, we'd be in a pretty sorry place.

I'm unclear on what research proves this. There's *some* on this forum, yes. If we made all of our decisions based on how people on web forums feel, we'd be in a pretty sorry place.

If you think it's only this forum that thinks this then you can't see the wood for the trees. It's a bad joke, misfired. Just because the event is good doesn't cancel that out.

Six pages over a day - call it what you will, their marketing works 😆

If you think it's only this forum that thinks this then you can't see the wood for the trees

Still waiting...

Yeah, like.

What would Mumsnet think?

Anyone care to link em' to this thread??

I assume all those being negative all have done more for the female side of mountain biking than Airmaiden.

That's not the point.
I don't even know why something specific has to be done for female mountain biking? I've ridden my mountain bike every week for the past 9 years (except for 6 months off for surgery), I've entered events every year, I tell everyone how brilliant it is. I don't need to be attracted into it by shit attempts at humour.

Still waiting...

Try searching on Twitter. Or probably any other online shouting facility 😉 But when I looked on Twitter it seemed to be proving about as popular as a poo bobbing in the shallow end. (A good chunk of that was in response to @EverydaySexism's tweet, so no real surprise.)

I don't even know why something specific has to be done for female mountain biking?

Because a lot of women feel intimidated by racing with men. Not having to worry about someone hooning behind you, and feeling like you need to get out of the way, ruining your time is a pretty good thing.

The atmosphere at events like Enduromaiden and Foxhunt are brilliantly different.

The atmosphere at events like Enduromaiden and Foxhunt are brilliantly different.

I'm all for women's events - they're a good thing. I don't see why the age/experience categories have to be any different - there is no benefit, only bizarre sexual and frankly inappropriate language. What are they going to call Vets and Super Vets? Old Slags and Dried Up Hags?

If you think it's only this forum that thinks this then you can't see the wood for the trees. It's a bad joke, misfired. Just because the event is good doesn't cancel that out.

True, I said something similar in reply to a giant thread on one of the women's mtb FB groups about it. Lots of women thought it was shit, a thought it was fine.

Yes, I'm doing something for female mountain biking and sport in general. Supporting my daughter by ensuring she has every opportunity to try each sport she is interested in - that we can afford.

vickypea - Member

I don't even know why something specific has to be done for female mountain biking?

60-70 people turned up for enduro maiden the last 2 years. 12 women signed up for the last Scottish Enduro Series (out of 278), not enough to make a full podium for 2 of the 3 classes...

I think what they are doing seems excellent. Just the cat names seem dumb.

[quote=bikebouy ]What would Mumsnet think?

Maybe that's it - it's actually the mumsnet market they're after rather than the ladettes.

Or maybe since they're selling out they need some way to discourage some women from taking part.

Because it's quite clear (to me as a bloke, reading the responses from women on here and reports of responses from other women) that this sort of "marketing" is offputting to some women. Honestly who cares what us blokes think about it, but if it is indeed something which puts off some of the potential customers then it's probably a bad thing, irrespective of whether they're selling out or lots of other women don't have a problem with it. I can't see any negatives for less controversial category names.

And in case I need to mention it I do understand the importance of such events and that something needs to be put on for women (and that lots of women are keen on doing women only events). It seems the organisers of these events are doing a great job, about the only thing they might have got wrong is the category naming.

Hard to believe you lot have gotten yourself so worked up about this.

I entered the event and it's one of the best days I've had on my bike. I couldn't give a flying duck what the category names were, and nobody was bothered on the day. In fact it was all quite funny. I've also entered TweedLove enduros in the past and they were nowhere near the fun that this was. I doubt I'll enter another tweedlove Enduro because of the experience of racing it as a woman and their lack of considering how to get more women into it or make it a better experience.

Air maiden does so much to help get women riding stuff they normally wouldn't ride and really enjoying every minute on the bike. Lynne really gets what women are about and how they work differently from men. I think she's got a degree in psychology, so approaches things a bit differently from your normal coach.

It's definitely not aimed at the mumsnet crowd and anyone who knew Lynne would think it's hilarious to even mention the two in the same category.

The event is very much aimed at getting women racing who wouldn't normally whilst also providing a race for more experienced people to enjoy as a majority rather than the extreme minority that you get at normal enduro races. Hence, the wide range that the categories provide.

Please take your mock feminist outrage somewhere else and leave this event alone.

Hard to believe you lot have gotten yourself so worked up about this.

I entered the event and it's one of the best days I've had on my bike. I couldn't give a flying duck what the category names were, and nobody was bothered on the day. In fact it was all quite funny. I've also entered TweedLove enduros in the past and they were nowhere near the fun that this was. I doubt I'll enter another tweedlove Enduro because of the experience of racing it as a woman and their lack of considering how to get more women into it or make it a better experience.

Air maiden does so much to help get women riding stuff they normally wouldn't ride and really enjoying every minute on the bike. Lynne really gets what women are about and how they work differently from men. I think she's got a degree in psychology, so approaches things a bit differently from your normal coach.

It's definitely not aimed at the mumsnet crowd and anyone who knew Lynne would think it's hilarious to even mention the two in the same category.

The event is very much aimed at getting women racing who wouldn't normally whilst also providing a race for more experienced people to enjoy as a majority rather than the extreme minority that you get at normal enduro races. Hence, the wide range that the categories provide.

Please take your mock feminist outrage somewhere else and leave this event alone.

No one is suggesting the event is not a good thing - it clearly is doing brilliant stuff. Our sport needs to be open to all regardless of sex or gender. Events that make that happen are much needed and someone who clearly has the enthusiasm, talent and commitment to do it is obviously a real positive.

However, please note you represent the views of one woman - not all. You are entitled to your view, as is everyone else - including several women who have varied opinions already on this thread. Feminism is not just an issue for women - so perhaps our 'mock' feminism is less 'mock' than you think.

Hard to believe you lot have gotten yourself so worked up about this.

Feminism is not just an issue for women - so perhaps our 'mock' feminism is less 'mock' than you think.

Whilst that may well be true it's definitely not your (or my) place to dictate the terms.

Anyway, my wife found it amusing and now wants to do a coaching session so all publicity is good publicity as they say.

Sample response from another woman - I asked my OH her views and she said said she'd actually be [i]more[/i] likely to enter the event due to the naming of the categories! She is Glaswegian though (and very strongly feminist), so take from that what you will about her sense of humour... 😉

Please take your mock feminist outrage somewhere else and leave this event alone.

And it isn't outrage - most of the objectors on this thread have expressed their views carefully so as to indicate that their disapproval falls somewhat short of outrage. And whatever it is, it isn't mock it is genuine, Most people expressing their views here are not trolls and I don;t believe you are either. Why do you believe people who hold views contrary to your's are not genuine?

I entered the event and it's one of the best days I've had on my bike. I couldn't give a flying duck what the category names were

That's the feeling I got from the event when I was marshalling.

Thanks for giving a participant and target market response.

[i]target market[/i]

I think this was why I started the thread.

There clearly is a target market, I really just wondered if the way it was targeted made other women who are likely to compete in that type of event feel that they were excluded because they felt the racing categories weren't appropriate.

Could they still attract their core rider group but also drag in some other people if they chose to use different class categories?

Would julzm still have entered if it had just been;

under a certain age
inxeperienced enduro racers
experienced enduro racers
over a certain age

or would that have made her feel it was too formal/traditional/mainstream?

inxeperienced enduro racers

Noobs with Boobs?

nobody was bothered on the day. In fact it was all quite funny.

People who turn up to event support event shocker....hold the front pages

IN later news racists at lynching were not upset by black mans suffering

The event is very much aimed at getting women racing

GOd I wish i had a fancy degree in psychology to let me know if using these names encouraged all women. whilst some wont be bothered its obvious some will so its just not helpful in achieving that goal as it will deter some of their target audience.

Please take your mock feminist outrage somewhere else and leave this event alone.

Could they still attract their core rider group but also drag in some other people if they chose to use different class categories?

I refer you back to Northwind's comment. 70 women sold-out Airmaiden.

12 out of 278 were women in the last Scottish Enduro Series round.

I'd say they've got the marketing spot on from those stats.

[i]am exercising my right to debate an issue of legitimate public concern on a public discussion forum.[/i]

Trouble is though - this isn't the sort of debate where anyone* is prepared to change their views based on what anyone else says. Which makes it a pointless merry-go-round of bollocks.

*someone might have but I didn't read it all.

Would julzm still have entered if it had just been;

under a certain age
inxeperienced enduro racers
experienced enduro racers
over a certain age

Of course she would have! She said, I quote - she "couldn't give a flying duck what the category names were, and nobody was bothered on the day. "