"Not A Real Athlete"?!?! [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Dianyla

03-07-2006, 08:05 PM

Wow, this really blew my mind and I have to vent a little bit.

I was telling the ManFriend about the new Polar heartrate monitor that I picked up on ebay, explaining how I planned to go find the biggest hill I could get up and see if I could find my maximum heartrate. He asked how I would know if I hit the max and I said "I'll probably puke or come real close". :eek:

He didn't believe me, saying in all his years of athletic experience with baseball, basketball, etc (which, gentle reader, keep in mind that these years all took place in High School which was nearly two decades ago!) that he'd never seen anyone puke from overexertion. "Never ever?" I asked. Nope, never. I informed him that I'd seen it plenty of times with sports like swimming, cycling, and running. He finally started to acknowledge the remote possibility that this could exist when I did a quick google search terms like on "vasovagal reflex" "heart rate puking" "overexertion vomiting" and brought back thousands of results.

And here's the kicker... then he went on to say that he's a real athlete and he knows about these things. I asked him "don't you think I'm a real athlete?" and he said "No, not really". Um, hello? Last summer I did numerous centuries and a double-century, and the summer before that I went on a 500 mile backpacking trip.

I mean, WTF?!?!?! I'm not sure whether to feel upset or just laugh at him for being such an idiot. :confused:

Gals, do your traditional-manly-sport-loving partners also pull this kind of crap on you?

Grog

03-07-2006, 08:30 PM

By ManFriend, do you mean your current Significant Other?

If so, I find the comment really sad, and that's because I'm in a good mood, or I'd find it insulting.

My own SO is much, much more of an athlete than I am and will ever be (he's also more obsessive!), but he never fails to express his pride in my own achievement (like learning to swim by myself in three months and doing my first tri etc.). I'm not sure I still have the balls to claim "athlete" for myself (never considered myself a sports gal and still have identity issues surrounding that!) but he sure would argue against me if he knew that's what I think.

My core training coach keeps telling us that, in her view, we're "elite" athletes even if we're not actually "elite". (She does train pros though.) To her, there's so, so few people in the population that can do even a fraction of what we do, we should be proud of it. (Like: standing on all four on two exercise balls... how smart do you look when you do that?!?!)

SadieKate

03-07-2006, 08:39 PM

Take him to a triathlon in hot weather sometime. Folks vomiting all over the place - especially the weaker sex (aka your friend's brethren).

Dianyla

03-07-2006, 08:43 PM

By ManFriend, do you mean your current Significant Other?
Ah, yes, that's who I mean. :)

I'm not sure I still have the balls to claim "athlete" for myself (never considered myself a sports gal and still have identity issues surrounding that!) but he sure would argue against me if he knew that's what I think.
I thought about that too, whether I feel comfortable with the term athlete. I kind of do and I kind of don't. If I think in terms of Lance Armstrong, then in no way am I an athlete! But if I think in terms of the average couch potato, then maybe I am. I would definitely consider myself athletic, though. His definition of athlete that explains why he obviously is an athlete and I am clearly not an athlete is that an athlete is someone who plays "real sports" (i.e. team sports that involve a ball). Um, ok.

Grog

03-07-2006, 09:15 PM

an athlete is someone who plays "real sports" (i.e. team sports that involve a ball). Um, ok.

Frankly I don't think baseball players, by definition, qualify as "athletes". ;) Some of them do, for sure, but.........

Besides, even basketball is not a continuously all-out cardiovascular exercise. I doubt that very many people reach their max and stay there for a while, playing basket.

allabouteva

03-07-2006, 11:35 PM

Before I took up cycling, I thought I was reasonably fit, did quite a bit of gym work, and exercised regularly for over 2 years. Then I tried cycling, and found that I could only do about 20 minutes, couldn't climb for peanuts, and stayed only in granny gear. Now 6 months later, I can ride for over 2.5 hours, go up significant hills, and can ride much faster for much longer, and crank some big gears too. I'm way fitter due to cycling! My non-cycling friends think I'm a bit of a super fit athlete!:D

D, you need to explain to your ManFriend, that he's so off base in his comments to you. You're a bona fide athlete. All cyclists who can do centuries and double centuries are by definition. This is not stuff that the average person on the street can do, or even people of reasonable fitness (people who walk 30 minutes a day 5 times a week) can do. And from his comments to you about him being an athlete and you not, sounds like he's a bit of a wanker (good old Aussie term!:p do you have that term in the US?) Sorry hope you didn't take offense!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

velogirl

03-08-2006, 01:18 AM

I struggle with this question with many of my coaching clients (especially the women). Here are a sampling of some questions I ask them:

Do you schedule your training?

Is that training specific and structured?

Do you monitor your caloric intake and the ratio of macro-nutrients (aka carbs, protein, and fat)?

Do you measure the amount of fluids you drink on a daily basis?

Do you maintain your equipment and clothing so you can participate in your sport?

Do you get enough sleep so you can ride?

Have you read a book, watched a video, or taken a class to learn more about the sport of cycling?

I think you get the picture. If you answered yes to even one of these questions, I would consider you an athlete.

It's difficult for many women, especially those of us pre-Title 9, to consider ourselves athletes. As girls, we were taught to be humble. Athletes aren't humble, right? We were taught that being competitive isn't feminine. But athletes are competitive, even if our competition is a local hill or a personal best time or completing our longest ride. We were taught that a beautiful body isn't muscular. Heck, you've all got muscles, even if they might be hidden under a little more adipose tissue than an elite athlete!

You do not need to be a racer to be an athlete. But for those who ride regularly, I would encourage you to be proud of your athletic accomplishments! And if someone questions that, just smile and know that there are other beautiful women cyclists who believe in you.

Lorri

Nanci

03-08-2006, 01:46 AM

Maybe Manfriend should ride a Century with you to see if it's an athletic endeavor! Then tell him, "Now when I do these, that's the halfway point!"

He certainly has to concede that Lance et al are athletes. The difference between you and Lance is less than the difference between you and a non-cyclist.

I've puked at a race- the 5k where I set my PR for that distance. I could see the clock from 3 miles, and knew I had a shot, but it would take everything, and then when I crossed the finish, I still could have been ok if I could have kept moving, but a vol wanted my tear-off, and that was the last straw, stopping. Luckily, there was basically nothing in my stomach.

Sometimes I feel like I don't get as much respect from BF as I should, because my speeds are slow and because I'm not an Ironman...But then he's pretty quick to discuss nutrition and training strategies!

Nanci

seagrape

03-08-2006, 01:55 AM

That's funny! I've seen people throw up from exertion- come close myself. If I may be honest, he's probably just threatened by your athletic prowess and is (unconsciously) trying to negate your success... As someone else suggested, have him ride a century- or two- with you, or throw him in a pool and see if can do repeats of 100s on whatever time and see how he does!

But then, again, Freud I'm not :)

My DH knows better than to say such things- I'd bop him right in the nose!

nuthatch

03-08-2006, 02:33 AM

What a great thread! Thanks for posting your list, Lorri - it really gives a person some definition to what athlete means.

I would never have thought of myself as an athlete until my sister-in-law came along (she runs every day and raced in her youth). Now she has MS and struggles to maintain her daily fitness but she still feels she is an athlete. Isn't it amazing how a title like that can make you feel all daring and powerful!? Things I wouldn't have tried before, I do now, because in my mind I'm an athlete too.

Veronica

03-08-2006, 04:06 AM

I'm with Seagrape, bop him on the nose, after you ride a hilly centuy with him. :D

V.

Trek420

03-08-2006, 05:26 AM

I'm with Veronica, take him on a hilly ride and pass him wearing this ;)

Veronica

03-08-2006, 05:58 AM

I also want to know what's he doing now that makes him a real athlete? Or is he a former athelete who just fondly remembers his glory days? :p

V.

PS I STILL think you should bop him on the nose!

fixedgeargirl

03-08-2006, 05:59 AM

Dianyla, if your friend's definition of an *athlete* is so limited, I'd be tempted to write him off as a semantic twit ;) ! I am curious to know what he would call Lance Armstrong or my friend Mike Curiak who has won Iditabike more than once or my friend who just co-set a world record for amount of vertical gained on skis in a 24-hour period (50,000ft :eek: )?

I am now embracing the title of athlete for myself. I don't race, nor do I have a training plan. But I do get (and need) regular amounts of aerobic exercise. I engage in a few activities to achieve this. I am fit, and loving it! After years of denial, I have recognized this as a part of me. It was a long, hard time coming, but I'm glad I'm here. Thanks, Lorri, for posting your list. What an awesome way for us to regard ourselves!

I used to scoff at the idea that NASCAR drivers were "athletes". Then I saw a show about the amount of strength it takes to handle those machines and the amount of physical training those guys do. Changed my own definition of an "athlete".

SadieKate

03-08-2006, 06:58 AM

For after the ride while you're waiting for him (can be purchased at www.girlbike.com)

maillotpois

03-08-2006, 07:37 AM

AARGH!!! Of course you're an athlete. Crazy boys!

I used to get into arguments with DH about what is or is not "athletic" or a "sport". For example billiards or car racing. While I could do neither well, I would argue that these are not athletic. (Of course, I am sure both require tremendous eye hand coordination and reflexes, and car racing may even involve some endurance. But you get the point.) Anyway our arguments used to come down to anything that was a ball sport was a "sport" and thus, the person an athlete - as opposed to things I did at the time (hiking, climbing mountains) as being endurance based things that were less "athletic".

Of course now that we both cycle, he sort of sees my point and I don't think we have had one of those arguments in years!

Trekhawk

03-08-2006, 07:50 AM

This thread is very cool. Eva is right he is being a bit of a w*nker. I think taking him for a ride as the others recommend would be a very humbling experience for him, then talk about who is the athlete.

Nanci - mate if it makes any difference you have my respect. Im always reading out your Brevet posts to my husband and Im in awe you have come such a long way with your riding.:)

Pax

03-08-2006, 08:05 AM

Seems lots of folks get derailed by "definitions", some think an athlete is a paid professional, others think golfers are athletes, still others think if you don't have a sub 3% body fat level you can't be an "athlete".

I figure if I drag my voluminous butt around for 20+ miles while enduring a bike seat wedgie the entire time...I'm an ATHLETE! http://QB.smugmug.com/photos/49063420-Ti.gif

Brandi

03-08-2006, 08:15 AM

My dh would never argue this issue with me. As a matter of fact the other day when he rode with me he said that i was much stronger on hills then I used to be. And my recovery time is like nothing now. I get to the top take a minute and I am ready to go again. I almost think your bf was being rude. But he's a guy they don't always say what we want to hear like in the movies you know?

Kathi

03-08-2006, 08:42 AM

I didn't think of myself as an athlete but a guy at the gym kept calling me one. I didn't understand until I found this on the internet back in 1997. It's from gogirlmag.com and was the Go, girl! Credo.

Ask a 12-year old boy, and he'll probably say a multi-million dollar endorsement deal. A high school jock will tell you that making the game-winning touchdown or sinking that final dunk makes him an athlete. And the wise old men at Webster's explain that the word athlete is originally from the Greek athlein, meaning "to contend for a prize."

That's not what an athlete really is.

An athlete is someone who's not afraid to try something new. And keeps on trying even if she fails the first time.

An athlete is some who takes joy in movement. Who knows that she always feels better after her workout than she did before. She enjoys that first trickle of sweat because she knows that the reward of stretching won't be too far behind.

An athlete is someone who knows that you don't have to be on an organized sports team to be strong, to have enthusiasm, or to be a winner.

And most of all, an athlete is someone who enjoys the rhythm of oxygen flowing through her body, welcomes the quickened beating of her heart during a workout, and know that her efforts to make her body stronger make her mind stronger, too.

You are an athlete. You are dedicated to improving your health and ensuring that your life is not only longer, but better.

Congratulations! With your remarkable combination of emotional and physical strength, you are an athlete.

Thank you for reminding me of this. I'm 1 week post op from ACL surgery and am very limited with my activities. I've been injured since mid Jan. no biking, skiing, etc. and don't anticipate being able to ride again until early June.

I'm going to keep this posted in a visible spot so when I feel discouraged or impatient I will have a reminder of why I ride, ski, hike, etc.

kaybee

03-08-2006, 09:24 AM

This is a great thread! Thank you, Lorri, or your post. When I started running several years ago, I began to ask myself some of those questions, and decided, after a while, that I was indeed an athlete. I'll never win a race, and the only time I ever win my age group is when I'm the only one my age that shows up ;) , but I'm having a good time, and that's all that matters.

I also realized that race organizers don't organize races for just the "elite" athletes; if they did, how could they ever make any money? It's those of us "regular people" that are the bread and butter for charity rides and races. We pay our money, have a good time, and don't take home anything but good memories and feelings of accomplishment. Everyone on this board is a true athlete and a wonderful inspiration, and you should all be very proud of yourselves.

KB

bikerchick68

03-08-2006, 10:12 AM

from the dictionary:

ath·lete ( P ) Pronunciation Key (thlt)
n.
A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

oh man, this gets my goat but good! :mad: Not only do I consider myself an athlete, I consider myself an ENDURANCE athlete! I am not an "elite" athlete... that is a term I reserve for people who actually compete at their sport... whether it's cycling or triathlon or golfers! but, having ridden 10 centuries in the last 12 months... I absolutely consider myself an endurance athlete. Am I trying to be a braggart? Heck no. Am I very, very proud of what I've accomplished? Heck yeah! For me it's an "acquired trait" and I've had to work hard to get to where I'm at now.

I am really amazed at anyone who does not consider cycling atheltic... or cyclists athletes! And apparently Mr. Webster agrees... ;)

does your "real athlete" friend ride a bike? I wonder if a few rides would drastically change his perspective on this issue...

OK... that's a long way of me saying... yes you ARE an athlete! He's just wrong. :D

biker <climbing off the soapbox> chick

profàvélo

03-08-2006, 10:25 AM

(never considered myself a sports gal and still have identity issues surrounding that!)

And I thought I was the only one who had these thoughts! Of course, that's almost never the case, but it's nice to see some proof that it's not.

I don't think of myself as athletic, although I am trying to. Wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, cook, choir member, reader, intellectual (to a point)...but not athlete. Why is that?

I only recently have begun to think of myself as a cyclist. I completed 5 centuries last year, one of which was a stage of the Tour de France (and not a flat one, either!). I have recently completed my first three races ever (posted elsewhere); I always said I would never race, and don't think of myself as a 'racer type.'

This past winter I decided I should do some cross-training. (Okay, how can someone who contemplates 'cross-training' not be athletic?) In about three months I went from no running to running 5k--not fast, but doing it. And I'm signed up for a 10k on April 1.

Why can't I seem to reconcile the person who does all these things with the rest of me? Grog, is this what you mean by 'identity issues'?

Dianyla

03-08-2006, 10:31 AM

Wow, this thread has really blossomed into something amazing overnight! You gals are awesome! :D

Some person-specific replies:

And from his comments to you about him being an athlete and you not, sounds like he's a bit of a wanker (good old Aussie term! :p do you have that term in the US?)
Heh, we technically don't have that term here but my roomie is british and he has taught me well. Yeah, I would definitely call ManFriend a bit of a wanker sometimes. ;)

Do you schedule your training?

Is that training specific and structured?

Do you monitor your caloric intake and the ratio of macro-nutrients (aka carbs, protein, and fat)?

Do you measure the amount of fluids you drink on a daily basis?

Do you maintain your equipment and clothing so you can participate in your sport?

Do you get enough sleep so you can ride?

Have you read a book, watched a video, or taken a class to learn more about the sport of cycling?

velogirl, thank you for this list. I can answer yes to almost all of them (well, except for that pesky adequate sleep issue).

I also want to know what's he doing now that makes him a real athlete? Or is he a former athlete who just fondly remembers his glory days? :p
Veronica, you just hit it on the nose there. Other than the occasional tag-along on a bike ride (he drops me on very steep hills but on any other terrain I have to wait for him to catch up) and the occasional dayhike (where we're pretty evenly matched as long as I'm toting all the food) he really hasn't done much in the way of athletic endeavors since participating in team sports in high school.

still others think if you don't have a sub 3% body fat level you can't be an "athlete".

I figure if I drag my voluminous butt around for 20+ miles while enduring a bike seat wedgie the entire time...I'm an ATHLETE!
I totally agree! This is another part of the problem. He is quite slim (6'2" 150lbs) and has aged very gracefully and I think that this just reinforces his perception that an athlete (i.e. him) has low bodyfat and a non-athlete (i.e. me) looks more like a fluffy marshmallow zooming along on my bike (I'm 5'4" and 150lbs). I know I'm working much harder than he is to move the same amount of poundage down the road, and considering I can drop him that just highlights the difference in our physical fitness levels. So, yeah... :rolleyes:

Sadiekate and Trek420 - I love those jerseys. Hmmm, I think I saw the Southpark one on the clearance rack just the other day, maybe I should go back and get it? :cool:

Kathi, sorry to hear about your ACL injury, those are very slow-healing. Sending Happy Knee Thoughts your way! :)

Everyone else who has replied, thank you! I agree that a good bop on the nose is in order for this bad doggy!

Veronica

03-08-2006, 11:01 AM

....looks more like a fluffy marshmallow zooming along on my bike (I'm 5'4" and 150lbs).

Hey that's my height and weight AND I do NOT look like a fluffy marshmallow. Do I? :eek:

V.

Dianyla

03-08-2006, 11:04 AM

Hey that's my height and weight AND I do NOT look like a fluffy marshmallow. Do I? :eek:
You must have more muscle mass than I do! And here in the Pacific NW, this time of year my skin tone really does closely resemble "creamy marshmallow". :p

Grog

03-08-2006, 11:12 AM

Why can't I seem to reconcile the person who does all these things with the rest of me? Grog, is this what you mean by 'identity issues'?

Well yeah I guess that's close enough. I have mostly defined myself as an intellectual throughout my life, and I was always involved in politics. I am still involved in academic life pretty deeply (doing a PhD right now) and tried to escape politics for a while. Obviously I can't ride fast enough to leave politics far behind, and it has catched me again, so I'm trying to juggle the three together now (plus have decided to try a triathlon... speak of trinities!!). :) In my social surroundings, until recently, there were not that many people that exercised at all. To me, being chin-deep in sports was a way to escape more social and political problems, and all the sports-types I knew were totally igorant of the wider social universe around them, which bothered me.

I do feel some guilt sometimes when I go for a ride instead of sitting down to read (or do other stuff). But whatever, I guess that if I don't take care of myself, I won't be able to take care of my work.

SadieKate

03-08-2006, 11:18 AM

He is quite slim (6'2" 150lbs) and has aged very gracefully and I think that this just reinforces his perception that an athlete (i.e. him) has low bodyfat and a non-athlete . . .Slim does not equal low body fat or strong or a good cardio system. It could be an indication of an eating disorder. I know plenty of people who would be described as thin that jiggle from lack of muscle tone.

I bet he thinks NFL linebackers are athletes. I can't watch a pro football game without thinking with horror of the examples these guys are setting for our youth. Some of them appear to be paid by the pound, muscle or fat.

How about mountainbikers? Would he care to put his bod on the line with a bunch of rocks and logs? I'd say there is definitely hand/eye/foot coordination needed.

CorsairMac

03-08-2006, 11:34 AM

this puts me in mind of a once overheard conversation: a slender woman mid-20s was chatting with a friend of hers both of whom had just had body fat percentages done with a group. The young woman was very upset because her body fat was very high for a woman indicating she was out of shape. She was upset because her weight was ideal for her height. She was even More upset because another woman - who in her words was "fat" - had much lower body fat and she just couldn't understand that because the other woman was "fat"!
I'm not even going to comment on your ManFriends comment - that's between the two of you but I do have to ask: if you're calling him your Man Friend - would the acronym be MF?

(SK's gonna nail me for that one! :-D)

SadieKate

03-08-2006, 11:39 AM

(SK's gonna nail me for that one! :-D)Feeling clueless today. Maybe because no caffeine today. Huh?

SadieKate

03-08-2006, 11:50 AM

Corsair just whispered it in my ear. I get it now. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Is that enough "eeks!" for you, Corsair? :D

CorsairMac

03-08-2006, 11:54 AM

ROFLMAO!!! Hmmm I don't know - one can Never have too many eeks in their life I'm thinking! ;)

Dianyla

03-08-2006, 11:58 AM

Bwahhahaaa!!! :p

Similar to the way one can change the meaning of the D in DH to mean "Dear Husband" or "Damn Husband", I also mentally change the meaning from ManFriend to MF'er depending on his behavior. :cool:

profàvélo

03-08-2006, 12:07 PM

(doing a PhD right now)

Hmmm...so am I...interesting...

I am teaching and trying to dissertate and trying to be athletic. That's my trinity. :o

sydney_b

03-08-2006, 12:17 PM

caligurl

03-08-2006, 01:58 PM

WOW... this thread got me thinking.. i've never thought of myself as an athlete.... i ride a bike and work out every morning... but athlete????? me????? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Pax

03-08-2006, 02:23 PM

WOW... this thread got me thinking.. i've never thought of myself as an athlete.... i ride a bike and work out every morning... but athlete????? me????? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Yup! http://QB.smugmug.com/photos/49063422-Ti.gif

doc

03-08-2006, 03:14 PM

I have a friend who is a firefighter. He called me the other day to let me know the firefighter obstacle course was open to the public for one day if I wanted to try it out. He told my husband, "I know how competitive she is. She would love the challenge". He also went on to tell him it is super hard, guys sometimes have trouble finishing, but he thinks I could do it. As it turns out I was working that day so I couldn't do it but you can believe I'm planning to do it next year.

So what is my point? It is clear to most men that a woman who can ride a century is a mega athelete. I've never done a couble century. I bow down to your athletic prowess.

maillotpois

03-08-2006, 05:06 PM

Barb

03-08-2006, 05:18 PM

I am overweight and have been for about 5 years now. But I ride. Now I have begun to lift weights and track my rides. I use a heartrate monitor. I was an athlete in high school and I am an athlete now. For me it is not about how I look but how I feel about what I am doing.

I FEEL GREAT!!!!

Lise

03-08-2006, 05:21 PM

In a moment of feeling like an absolute fraud last summer, I looked up "athlete" in the dictionary. I wrote the definition I found inside my training journal: Athlete: One who takes part in activities requiring agility, endurance, or strength. Next to it I wrote: Therefore, I am an athlete. (BTW, non-athletes don't keep training journals.)

I suggest you rent "Miracle" to watch with the MF. It has a lovely scene of Olympic athletes puking their guts out after a grueling training session. It's about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team, and it shows that there's a lot more to being an athlete than just athletic ability.

I love the heart and soul of every woman on this board. I am proud to be among you.

I want to see MF keep up with Corsair on her daily commute. I'd like to see him keep going when Nanci and Dianyla hit their stride on mile 167. And if he can, great! Welcome to it! If he can't, well, do what doc does, do what I do, and bow down to their athletic prowess. L.

Duck on Wheels

03-08-2006, 06:00 PM

Of course you're an athlete! All of you gals (or am I committed enough now to say us gals?) are athletes! And shame on any man who tries to deflate your self-esteem!

That said, I'm not so sure about the advice to challenge said MF to a ride and rub it in his face that you can leave him behind on a hill. Your MF is hardly alone in being particularly competitive vis a vis women, not least in the area of physical prowess. Another area might be, say, earnings. Even my DH, who was very supportive and proud of me when I got my PhD, even though it outranks his ME academically, was a bit shaken (or at least joked about being shaken) when I made full professor and began to outearn him. It may have helped him get over it that he can still outrun me hiking or biking. And just to show how common this need to outperform women is, check what men report as their greatest biking embarrassments on this site:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=humbling

Every other one (well, I haven't counted, or even read to the end, but it seemed that way) is embarrassed that women, older men, or people with shoddier sports equipment left them in the dust. That and falling through failure to unclip -- when women are watching.

So before you brutally make MF face the truth, you might want to consider whether you're mad enough to actually want to be rid of him, or whether this is one flaw you're willing to try to tease him out of slowly and diplomatically. If so, then when you take him out on a ride and leave him behind on that hill, remember to say that you're sure he could BECOME faster than you if he trained for it. :rolleyes:

Veronica

03-08-2006, 06:39 PM

Great, now I can't see MF without thinking bad words. :eek:

V.

CyclaSutra

03-08-2006, 07:29 PM

And just to show how common this need to outperform women is, check what men report as their greatest biking embarrassments on this site:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=humbling

Every other one (well, I haven't counted, or even read to the end, but it seemed that way) is embarrassed that women, older men, or people with shoddier sports equipment left them in the dust. That and falling through failure to unclip -- when women are watching.
:rolleyes:

Bikeless, this was a hilarious thread. But I, too, was amazed at how many of them kept mentioning "fat chick" or "girl" as the MOST humiliating type of cyclist that could pass them. I mean, it's NOT a guy's forum, so I have to assume that 95 percent of them ARE men, and they just don't care how sexist they sound?

I mean, if I didn't enjoy the male energy and equipment so much, their MF attitude might send me switching teams. LOL!

Now I'm even MORE intimidated to try riding with guys. Jeez. I ride by myself 90 percent of the time, and I really have enjoyed the group rides with women, although they're sorta competitive, they're always supportive. I'm not the fastest one, but at least the ladies respect that I can keep my butt in the saddle for 10 hours...

Duck on Wheels

03-08-2006, 08:07 PM

Yep, very funny thread. Even funnier when you start seeing the sexist pattern. Poor boys. It can't be easy trying to stay ahead now that more and more women are serious about training. Remember when Grete Waitz came in ... oh, some single-digit place in the then still otherwise all-male New York marathon? Turns out that women have some advantages in endurance sports. And if it's any consolation, ladies, fat plays a part in it :eek: :p :D

But I can't take credit for finding the site. That was Salsabike. I just saw her reference to it in another thread, as an all-in-the-same-boat comfort to somebody who fell at the start of a ride.

sydney_b

03-08-2006, 09:03 PM

I love the heart and soul of every woman on this board. I am proud to be among you.

I want to see MF keep up with Corsair on her daily commute. I'd like to see him keep going when Nanci and Dianyla hit their stride on mile 167. And if he can, great! Welcome to it! If he can't, well, do what doc does, do what I do, and bow down to their athletic prowess. L.

+1

I'm with you all the way on this one Lise.

doc

03-09-2006, 02:57 AM

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=humbling

Bikeless,
can you please tell me the name of the thread and what heading it's under. When I use this link I only get the general bikeforums website and can't find this thread. Thanks

Eden

03-09-2006, 08:28 AM

Bikeless,
can you please tell me the name of the thread and what heading it's under. When I use this link I only get the general bikeforums website and can't find this thread. Thanks

most amusing - if this link doesn't work search "the humbling thread"
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=129972&highlight=embarrassing

Hah! I pass plenty of guys and I'm absolutely sure it gets to them (heck not only am I a girl I look like I'm 12 since I'm so little). My favorite was at the Apple Century - there's a fairly long climb and the guy in front of my was moaning about how he was out of gears - I had a triple - I popped out around him - said It's good to be a girl - down shifted and didn't ever see him again that day. The really funny thing is later that year at the STP I was at a stop light and the same guy comes up beside me and says I remember you - you're that girl who passed me at the Apple Century. Too funny!

I feel lucky - my husband is quite supportive. When we were in college I made him buy a bike that fit him properly and got him started touring. Last year he started to race and talked me into do doing it this year. Sure - I'm not as strong as he is by any means and probably never will be, but competeing with my peers - other cat4 women - it looks like I will be able to hold my own better than him. I can see how that might be a bit of a challenge for him to be up beat about, but he is being very gracious.

Trekhawk

03-09-2006, 08:53 AM

Thanks for posting the bikeforum link. That is so funny, Great to see that cyclists have a sense of humour.

Love the post about the Bento Box.:D

bikerchick68

03-09-2006, 09:13 AM

Eden.. too funny! On my very first century at mile 85 or so, there were 2 guys riding together just ahea of me that I had caught. They were suffering mightily and arguing (literally!) over who was gonna lead... they BOTH wanted and needed to draft... I rode up and asked them if they wanted to draft me... they were just beyond caring and so thankful for the pull... :) I wonder if they ever admit to it now... ? Ah well, at least they finished the ride!

CorsairMac

03-09-2006, 10:26 AM

I love the heart and soul of every woman on this board. I am proud to be among you.

I want to see MF keep up with Corsair on her daily commute............do what I do, and bow down to their athletic prowess. L.

Wow - thanks for the compliment. and to think I was whiney this morning because it was 20 degrees colder today then Tues.

caligurl

03-09-2006, 11:42 AM

CorsairMac

03-09-2006, 11:46 AM

corsair.. i whine when it's in the 60's!!!!!!!! what's with this stinkin' cold weather! it's march for goodness sakes!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

they are predicting COLD and rain (with snow levels down to 1500 feet) for this weekend.. we sit somewhere in the 2000 range! :eek: :mad: )

Tell me about it :( :( :( it was 73 riding home Tues, it's 43 now! I didn't want to put all those layers on again, I didn't want to have to find my lobsters - again (it was 33 this morning), I didn't want to have to pick a bike coz it could carry more stuff, whine whine whine!

PS: wind speed is 17 mph right now out of the west ------whew..at least that means a tailwind going home! LOL