Sexism endorsed by singletrackworld

When I ride with my local road club, I am the only woman, in a group of 30-40 guys. They’re all great, but it’s pretty intimidating to begin with, and even though I’m now comfortable with holding my own in the group, sometimes I feel self-conscious and that I stick out like a sore thumb.

To be honest, blokes can be quite hard on blokes too. How many newbies have been welcomed with the STW humour, it’s just blokes being socially clumsy. A few spoil it, but in general it’s just banter. That’s not an excuse, I think, on the whole it’s true. Think apprentices and ‘long stands’ or ‘left handed screwdrivers’. Doesn’t make it right, it just highlights that both blokes and birds can equally feel intimidated.

So every month I organise a ‘women’s ride’ for the club, and because they didn’t feel like they’d be the only one, quite a few women come along. To be honest, it’s great to have other girls to ride with occassionally, we talk about stuff that wouldn’t be relevant to guys, and it gives us a more level playing field to compare our relative abilities. Plus it acts as an ‘icebreaker’ for the main club.

Which is perfect.

so hopefully in the future they’ll be an equal proportion of girls taking part and there’ll be no need for women only cycling events.

Why not?
Blokes ride with blokes.
Birds ride with birds.
Blokes ride with birds.
Blokes ride alone.
Birds ride alone.
It’s all good.

I’m wondering if I should complain that there aren’t dad only playgroups for kids. I’m often the only male over the age of 5 at things I go to.

maybe you guys the OP just don’t really understand what it’s like being a woman who rides bikes (and often the only one in the group!).

FTFY – most of us get it.

don simon – Member

I’ll throw in 15p, if you don’t mind?

As you have both sets of reproductive organs, you should pay 25p.

I’m wondering if I should complain that there aren’t dad only playgroups for kids. I’m often the only male over the age of 5 at things I go to.

I seen that as a good thing.

NBPA anyone?

They’ve been refused entry for being straight? I’m sure that’s illegal! The worst I’ve had is ‘you do know it’s a gay club/pub/night, don’t you?’. Never been a problem. I can see that you might get people unwittingly stumbling into a situation they could find uncomfortable, and i can see that clubs want to avoid potential trouble, but surely no club can discriminate on grounds of sexuality? You could never have a club that banned gay people.

My boss used to work in HR for a large group of pub/club and associated eateries ,The “getout” clause/defence was that if it eliminates the risk of violence on their property this was a legitimate right to refuse entry.

Which then begs the question are straight people being discriminated against ? Or is there an inferrence of being more violent than gay people?

Like the gay nightclub analogy I doubt they could refuse your entry.

Just to reiterate – a nightclub reserves the right to deny entry to anyone for no reason. Gay clubs may turn you away if you look too straight. They may turn you away if you are part of a large group of women on a hen night. A simple ‘not tonight mate’ is all that’s required.

*Edit after a deserved ticking off from teh Mods. Wanted to make the main point again, though…*

I doubt they could refuse your entry.

Cycle Surgery would not, obviously, turn any chaps away from one of these events. As with the example above, they may well simply say, “It’s a ladies night tonight, by the way” and leave it up to said chap to decide if they want to remain in the shop.

These events are a great idea to promote women’s cycling. That in turn is promoting cycling. At a time when British cycling is on the up, both in terms of transport and sport, that simply HAS to be a good thing.

Sexist? Hardly, it’s a very positive thing. To accuse STW of endorsing sexism? Quite simply wrong.

I’m amazed at this thread. Many sports/passtimes/hobbies have womens night, Its cos men can be leary pervs, its not always our fault, sometimes its just genetic and our eyes naturally rest there… 😳

I have no problem with a once the week exclusion/bias in the other direction. Even more understandable in sport where skin tight clothing is the norm. A pity, but understandable. Damn, sorry. mind, See? keyboard interface not editing well yet. Need more coffee.

Thing that makes me and my mates uncomfortable when we get talking about the cycling community, or the mtb one, the serious one. Well, (and we tip toe round the issue cos we’re not sure how to say it and not seem, unPC for lack of a better adjective…) well. round here anyway. It really is very very white. no one says anything. we can’t work out why. but it is. There’s not much can be done about that in a positive action way without it seeming being terribly offensive. But I hope in ten years that’s no longer the case. But if you wanna get upset about the inclusiveness of our sport. get upset about that.

Its cos men can be leary pervs

You say that like it’s a bad thing. Oh…

A thread on sexism and no-one’s broken out the Spinal Tap “What’s wrong with being sexy?” quote? FOR SHAME!