This is so 1950!!! Ugh!

I have to vent. I don't like to rock the boat or complain, but this just shocked me.

I did a road race yesterday. I race cat 4 women group. I was in shock when the official prior to our race referred to us as 'girls.' I mean, this is not really offensive to me, but then, said official proceeded to give us 'girls' a 5 minute lecture about how it was a bike race. I was confused about the official's demeanor, etc. It seemed a bit umm, unprofessional if you ask me. He went on to say that it was not time to ride slow, sit in, etc. I know about not mixing fields and I never do that or pass when it is against the rule (we have the double line rule here). So, I know this official was just doing his job and telling us what to do rule-wise, but it felt like his delivery was a bit rude to us. I noticed none of the other fields had a five minute lecture about being too "slow".

Geesh!

Ugh!

Help!

:(

Were you at the Tour of Cedar Creek? I was impressed with the number of women that showed up to race. I was a wimpy spectator--to nervous to try racing yet. Anyways, I've noticed that some of the cycling clubs around here don't treat the women riders well at all. There's been several group rides where I've been ignored or the guys have tried to drop me (did I show them!). We have a weekly women's ride now with some experienced women. Its a lot of fun. I don't go to the other group rides anymore.

This may not be any help, but I'm sure your gut reaction is accurate.

Astonishing, isn't it? Are we still pioneering at this late date?

Document, document, document!

Send a letter to the race folks letting them know the objective facts (that the other groups didn't get the lecture, much less the subjective gut-feeling stuff). You can even suggest that if his behavior was based on experience of women doing that stuff,l that he should have said so to justify his patronizing attitude.

He probably won't change his attitude, but he mihgt not get that job next time around.

I find that humorous, dry, sarcastic teasing works really well with men who are using patronizing language. Note: I say that they are using patronizing language, not that they are acting patronizing. Most of the time when I run into this kind of verbage, it's being used thoughtlessly by a man who doesn't necessarily intend to be a patronizing chauvinist.

I've been working as a female in a heavily male-dominated department for years now. I used to get upset if someone called me "young lady" or "girl" or whatever. But, letting them upset me just made the situation worse and they respected me even less. Now I just cock my head and wryly reply "yes, old man?" and it's about 50 times more effective. Or the classic "You talkin' to me? I don't see any girls here, so you must be talkin' to me!"

Having the confidence to calmly flip it right back in their face works really well, and you come off as cool and assured. :cool:

Shhh, just it was Tour of Cedar Creek ;) I have done a lot of crits, but this was my second road race ever. I am getting stronger and was able to stay with the field longer than ever. I also hit my max MPH ever on one of the downhills! So, two personal bests, but I'm deemed 'slow' :( Oh well...It is just a blessing that I can even ride my bike, let alone race. I recovered from chronic fatigue syndrome, along with some accidents, injuries, poor bike fit, and here I am :) Yay! :)

I think the part of the 'lecture' that bothered me the most was that the official said that us Cat 4 Women were given a 10 minute lead over the other fields and that if anyone in the other fields caught us, then 'shame on us' for being caught! He said we need to get faster! That just really bothered me, especially since the previous road race our first lap time was only 30 seconds slower than the Cat 1,2, 3 women's field.

It also bothered me when at the start, I was just clipping into my pedals and the same said official yelled at me and said, 'You better go faster. Faster! Faster!" Yelling right in my face :( Not the best way for me mentally to start a race, but I didn't let it bother me.

I am in my 30's so I am not a shrinking violet, but had I been younger, I don't think I would have been strong enough to maybe come back and race again. I always thought the Cat 4 Women's group is the beginner group. Aren't the beginners basically the bread and butter of our sport? I mean, if there are not beginners, how does the sport continue to flourish?

I really wish I had the guts to write USA Cycling a letter or to at least the promoter of the race :( But, the thing is that this official is a big wig in Michigan racing...I fear retaliation or worse if I were to do this. He could try to make my life hell later in races, know what I am saying? Yep, I'm a wimp! I can't even imagine sticking up for myself in the next race if something similar were to happen. I'd probably get DQ'd before the start :(

I am thankful that there are wonderful male and female friends of mine who official in a professional manner. I also am thankful for so much support of my racing by my husband's racer friends (he's a Cat 2)--they are always kind and gentlemanly towards me...

Grrr!!! What year is it again? Hello, 1950 called and they want their values back! LOL

*Bear growls*

Thanks for listening to me and for the advice...

Trying to let it go...*Breathing in and out* LOL

I want to add that I'd appreciate it if we could keep this conversation here, if you know what I mean. I'm just trying to vent and process all of this...thanks for understanding, as I realize this is a public message board, etc.

Thanks!

No problemo.