Why would a man assume he was automatically a better cyclist?

I recently competed in the local sprint triathlon. I rode the bike portion on a woman's relay team. Several men that rode the cycling portion for their groups were shocked and even a little upset that I posted a better time. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt since I was never very athletic and weighed about 15 pounds more when we worked together. However, now they are telling me and a lot of other people that they are gunning for me for next year. Why do some men seem to assume that they should be better than a woman (granted even a 46 year old) when they don't spend the time or effort to train as hard? I know this isn't true of all men because so of my biggest supporters have been the members of the bike club who pushed me to try for longer and faster rides. I just find it perplexing.:confused:

Ego.

:cool:

Men.

You'll just have to hand it to 'em again next year :)

Well, my lippy reply would be if they didn't even train and are now "gunning for you" (who worked hard to train etc.) next year... "...glad to be of help, boys, in giving you the motivaiton to get off your a$$ and do something about it:rolleyes::p". Gheez... egos. Not just guys, I know some women this way too.

While yes, there are some physical athletic advantages men have over women as fact... but if you trained hard, then you deserved your results. That inner drive isn't something that's train-able (which they seem to be a bit lacking of)... it comes from the heart:). Good for you:cool:.

Funny, my DH and I were having the same convo recently. I've been asking him to ride and he's refused but now that I've gotten a (male) cycling buddy my DH is suddenly "into" biking. He thinks because he's a guy he can immediately start riding 30+ mile rides without having been on the bike in decades...lol

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Originally Posted by ttimes3

...my DH is suddenly "into" biking. He thinks because he's a guy he can immediately start riding 30+ mile rides without having been on the bike in decades...lol

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His *ss might have a thing or two to say about that. :D

Because he's a man. They do that, you know. :rolleyes:

... because he's a man, duh!

Recently in an Olympic distance triathlon, I passed this (very fit) 50 or 60 something guy that came in while I was exiting transition. Apparently he was chasing me that entire time. Glad to know I was his motivation. ;)

They have an uphill battle to catch you next year anyway. You keep training, they of course minimize the amount of training they have to do because a) you're a girl, and b) they are estimating based on this year's time, and you still kick butt. Win-win for you! ;)

Men, can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em. :D:D:D:D

Of course, they aren't all like that. Only those too insecure in their own masculinity to admit that a female athlete is a force to reckon with.

Not to throw a wrench into things but it may be (emphasis on MAY) that they were talking it up in admiration... like a back-handed compliment.

?? spazz ??

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

Not to throw a wrench into things but it may be (emphasis on MAY) that they were talking it up in admiration... like a back-handed compliment.

?? spazz ??

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+1.

Ever since I knew my dearie..uh..17 yrs. ago, he wasn't and still isn't like that. It's the opposite: he tells me with admiration, who rode past him..male or female. He seems to take particular interest, in describing the nerdy looking cyclists who outpower him.

Doesn't mean he isn't competitive, but genuinely is not insulted if others obviously are cycling faster in a consistent manner, than he is.

Could be trash talk. Trash back at 'em, I say.

I'm going to be doing the bike leg of a relay team for a local tri this weekend. It's a women's only race. A friend of mine is doing the whole thing. She found out what my goal was for a time for the course, and she told ME she's gunning for me, and her only (new) goal is to beat my time!
So....
It's not just men.
Yes, there is a margin of trash talk.
If a guy says he's gunning for you next year, smile and say "Yeah?? Good luck. You'll need it!" And saunter way, happy in your accomplishment!

I can often be ahead of some of the boys and I have to say that more often then not they are very supportive. When they do tell me they're "gunning" for me it's to say that A) They find me motivating and B) they are actually trying to motivate me back. The guys I ride with want nothing more than for me to kick azz and especially kick other male azz.

Now, I have to bring up another side... how many of us in a race will not chase a man if he passes us but will get spurred on if we get passed by a woman. I know that I'm guilty of that. If they aren't my competition on the podium... why should I care? On some level I think that I assume that a man should be faster than me, he has advantages after all. But isn't it just as bad to think that way as it is for a guy to assume that he should be faster?

I suspect that their smack talk was less machismo and more a form of flattery intentionally directed at you. I think you should see it as a compliment and wallow in it.:cool:

Congrats! Well Done!:D

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Originally Posted by Wahine

Now, I have to bring up another side... how many of us in a race will not chase a man if he passes us but will get spurred on if we get passed by a woman.

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I think I'm the opposite! In mass start foot races anyhow - haven't done a TT or any type of bike race in over 25 years. If a woman passes me, I just figure she's fitter than I am, and probably sort of mentally give up. If a man passes me, well, why was he behind me to begin with? If I'm paying attention to my legs and HRM and I know I didn't go out too fast (and if he's not running way faster than I am), then I ought to have enough to stay ahead of him!

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Originally Posted by nolemom

Several men that rode the cycling portion for their groups were shocked and even a little upset that I posted a better time. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt since I was never very athletic and weighed about 15 pounds more when we worked together. However, now they are telling me and a lot of other people that they are gunning for me for next year. Why do some men seem to assume that they should be better than a woman (granted even a 46 year old) when they don't spend the time or effort to train as hard?

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I don't know, it seems to me that just because they said they'd be 'gunning for you' next year- to me that doesn't mean they think that as men they should be better/faster than you....it just means they'll be trying to beat you next year as their goal. Isn't that everyone's goal in a race- to be faster than the others?
I don't see any big ego issues here unless there is more to the story that I don't know. Sounds like the usual "I'm going to beat your time next year" kidding/racing goal challenges that both men and women do all the time.

That's good going!

Just ignore the comments and enjoy your success.

I have to say that I'm surprised by Mr. Silver's response....maybe he's on to something there. ;)

After reading the responses, I am going to assume it is good-natured banter. If all goes as planned, we will be traveling in Europe next year so I will miss a rematch anyway.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

I suspect that their smack talk was less machismo and more a form of flattery intentionally directed at you. I think you should see it as a compliment and wallow in it.:cool:

Congrats! Well Done!:D

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+1

I see men do this all the time to each other. If a man feels comfortable enough to be that way with a women, it means she has earned his respect.

I have often, this season, raced in the Master's Men's category (45+ and 55+), usually as the only woman in the field. I hate to break it to you, but they don't like to be "girled" :D. But, as much as they don't like that, they are also VERY supportive of me in those races, and often will say something complimentary afterwards - even if they were someone I beat :D.

I say, take it with a grain of salt - I agree with Mr. Silver.

SheFly