God, I sound like such a boring nerd!

Sorry :)

I had analysed the data, and neither income nor social class are statistically signficant variables that effect differences in participation in mtb’ing and road cycling. The strongest determinants of differences in participation are gender a d age, ethnicity and disability have a lesser effect but stronger than education which has a negligable impact.

Maybe time for some facts rather than anecdotal evidence? :)

Both road cycling and mountain biking have the greatest gender difference of all active outdoor pursuits, with a ratio of approximate 2:1 (male to female) in relation to occasional participation. The gender difference extends to 3:1 (m:f) for regular road cycling and an even greater 4:1 for regular mtb’ing.

This is a much greater difference between male and female participants than other outdoor pursuits. There are equal numbers of men and women taking part in Snowsports (eg skiing etc), outdoor swimming, and hiking, and a mucher lesser difference in gender participation levels in running, climbing, and kayaking / sailing. The only active outdoor pursuit when the number of women exceeds men is horseriding.

The data and research that I specialise in indicates that getting dirty, not wanting to exercise etc are not the main reasons why women don’t participate more in cycling (although overall lower participation rates in all active pursuits are linked to lower levels of autonomous leisure time). One of the most intersting findings that I am currently researching is that latent demand for road cycling is greater for women, which bucking the standard user demographic profile and is very unusual.

Certainly, qualitative research is indicating that there is an ‘image issue’ associated with women’s response to participating in mtb’ing. The role of current mtb’ers and the media / biking industry undoubtably has a role in that image.

‘Go naked’ … I’ll have you know we have standards here in Wales :)

Good effort CiS! Although I fully support Mrs CiS’s right to be extremely annoyed about the cheese shortage.

Glad to report that last night’s wine consumption did not lead to an inability to get out on the hills this morning – top ride! Given that it worked last night, am repeating the wine and cheese combo tonight :)

Waves back at Ambrose from the patio in Conwy on the basis that he would have been on the top of Snowdon far earlier than the time I managed to get my lazy arse up onto the Carneddi.

Snowdonia rocks when the weather’s like this, doesn’t it :)

Too hot even in the summery-ist of summer dresses … shouldn’t have cooked a hot dinner – salad would have been a much better idea.

Elf – check out the Oxford cycle co-op’s Alley Cat Races/Rides: http://www.cycleoxford.com/headington_art_ride

I’ve done a couple – an ‘art attack’ one (ride aroud in white paper boiler suit being spraypainted!), and a hallowen one dressed as a mummy. Great fun and sort of like a trailquest (map and checkpoints) but with clues to find the checkpoints, lots of dressing up, taking part in groups, and BBQ and beer afterwards :)

if you do one I’ll come (but I’m afraid my derriere can’t compete with that of Ms Rice)

spev – that sounds bad :( maybe a visit to the doctor would be wise?

Yup, have some pretty good cycling tan lines as well … although I’ve just showered and pulled on a dress and I’m not sure the glove / socks / t-shirt lines really suit it!

And Scaredypants – fortunately live on my own so no nagging OH to make dinner for … although if someone fancies coming round and cooking for me that would be great, and I can then continue to chill out on the patio with a cold drink watching the boats sail past :)

Technically crap, reasonably fit, 100% enthusiastic …

… kinda like other areas of my life!

Ciderinsport – damn you for mentioning wine AND cheese … my willpower has now crumpled.

Hi Kev! Did you make it out onto the hills today?

Trying to avoid a repeat of last night’s wine drinking followed by this morning’s failure to get out of bed in time to meet friends for a ride. Am meant to be riding on Conwy mountain tomorrow and it’s even going to be sunny :)

Mind you, I’m sure just a small drink won’t hurt …

mmm … have just checked the Acerims website and it gives an ERTRA for the ace-19 as 622 x 17. Based on the Sheldon Brown table (thanks for the link!), then the ’17’ would mean that the smallest tyre width would be 25c.

Think I’ll give the 25c gatorskins a go … and this is the most ‘bike nerdy’ coversation I’ve ever had!

Cheers chaps :)

Thanks guys! Looks as though I’ll need some 28c one’s instead.

‘Girls on bikes’ weekend in Snowdonia (a Shecycles get-together). Should be out tomorrow round Elin’s Revenge but just got back from working in London and I’m now knackered and drinking wine, so the chance of an early start is somewhat slim!

Definately out on Sunday – up on Conwy mountain and the Carneddi – my favouristist place to ride in Snowdonia :)

mmm … now want Nicky’s dinner (sorry but minus the steak … no need to ruin a good vegetable selection with having dead things on the plate)

and want to listen to Ry Cooder … not heard that for years

I’ll stick with the wine I’ve got here though – although it’ll not help with my ability to get out of bed to go biking tomorrow

Just got home – far too long a day and don’t want to have to read another research report til at least Monday! Settling down with a well-deserved:

Drinking: Chilled glass of chardonnay
Eating: Crackers and smoked cheese
Listening: Billy Bragg

Look out for an old skoda fabia – fits bikes easily and skoda have an excellent reputation for reliabilty so should be a good option if you’re looking for an older car

awww … man hugs … :)

Must have been the result of all that pink jersey wearing …

Great! (well … depending on whether you appreciate the psycho / nutter look which I hear is so ‘in’ this season …)

But you’re going to have to smile more now to fully compliment the the ‘pink jersey / mohican’ combination :)

Good on you for doing it.

Road spin up the Conwy valley to Betws y Coed and backin the sun :)

Legs a bit tired after spending yesterday hiking in the mountains … wish weekends were longer!

Emma82:
+1 for suggestions re waxing, I’ll offer to do the legs but I aint going higher than that.

Proper LOL! (which was embarrasing as I’m currently sitting in a restaurant on my own and have spluttered over my dinner in a manner that makes me look like a loon …)

Unfortunately taking a bike with me isn’t really an option :(

Elfin – yey! But I thought you had despaired of me :)

OMG … I can now hear Take That belting out over the roofs of Cardiff … Think I might need to turn the TV up!

I’ve got a similar pair, but just paclite no stretch panels (maybe an earlier version?)

They’re great – very light / breathable / not restrictive / very waterproof. Quite a close fit so only room for lycra shorts underneath. I’m a size 8, and have to xs size – fine for hips / thighs, but the elastic in the waist band is quite strong so can feel a bit tight

DD – don’t think I’m really what the average punter on Grindr is interested in!

Do have a book (No Way Down: Life and Death on K2 … maybe I need more of a feelgood story!), but like to idea of a Kindle that could be read whilst eating.

Anyone got any idea what’s on in Cardiff at the moment? (apart from Take That!)

Have got swimming stuff so will probably head for the Sport Wales centre tomorrow.

Going out tonight in Cardiff wouldn’t be great as it’s heaving with Take That fans!

Forgot about the theatre … will check out what’s on for tomorrow

Nicky +1

MTFU :)

Hey … I didn’t so much stand you up as got caught up in work stuff!

Anyway, I’m down in that big London place again next week if you fancy a giving me a second chance :)

… and stop changing the subject from your prospective haircut …

Well I quite like the young chap, but donated as the amusement factor is likely to be very high …

C’mon Elfin’ – I had my head shaved once for charidee at a Leeds barber’s – straight through the centre of what was at the time long blonde hair … mind you I liked the shaved look so much I kept it like that for several years! So beware, this might be your future style :)

A brave programme to make and much respect to all involved. Really reflected the importance of honesty, trust, love, and empathy for others – I was crying at the end. Surely a topic which we as a societyshould be brave enough to discuss openly?

Kev – good to see you this evening – must catch up for a ride soon. Maybe Sunday?

Strangely I’m an absolute mincer when it comes to descents off-road, but absolutely love the brakes-off moments descending on my road bike. It’s odd cos rationally I know that given the speed I’m doing it will probably hurt more if I came off on a road descent, but I don’t seem to get ‘the fear’ in the same way as I do on my mountain bike.

Road riding’s fab :)

Progressed to wrestling with my road bike trying to take a stuck pedal off whilst contemplating how to change a gear cable.

Going to have a break and take the dog out for a wet and windy run-around on the beach

Just been for a wet run over the hills with the dog, hoped it would be enough to tire both of us out, but I don’t think it’s worked!

About to make some fresh coffee and contemplate whether to sign up to one of those dating website things – wet Sundays surely being one of the reasons to have an OH :) any recommendations for one’s where people’s idea of being active extends beyond ‘country walks’ ???

mmm … I thought the Plensa work was better than the couple of Goldsworthy’s I saw today (although ‘outclosure’ made me smile). But I have always really liked Goldsworthy’s stuff so would love to see more of it.

And John_Drummer – you really should go. I’m already planning on a repeat trip from north Wales

To get slightly back on track ….

I don’t see how people can have a ‘type’ / demographic group that they find either attractive or unattractive. For me, it’s all about the individual, so I find certain people attractive regardless of race, hair colour, build, height, gender etc Actually having read that, it makes me sound like a floozy … it’s not that I find everyone attractive, but more that I couldn’t ever specify a particular ‘type’ in even the broadest terms.

Oh, and might be around on thurs eve as well, if those London places are open after 5pm … :)

Hey Elf! If you have a few hours to spare on Friday pm and don’t mind showing a bumbling country bumpkin around, then that would be great :) I’m afraid I’ll be in boring corporate mode as I’ll have been stuck in work meetings all morning, and I have a date with a big mountain in Wales on sat so have to head back on Friday evening.

I’ll ask Kev if you can be considered safe enough …

Don’t you just love it when someone posts something that you wanted to know as well, thus saving you the effort of having to ask the question yourself – cheers Plum :)

Now just have to try to fit all of those things into the time that I’ll have free on Friday afternoon …