"Chicked"

If you aren't familiar with the term, it is used to describe when a woman catches or passes a man on single track.

I have girlfriends who are all about "chicking" guys. Every ride they do they sum up by quoting the number of guys they Chicked.

Personally, I think this is kind of lame. It. Promotes the men vs. women atmosphere. But at the same time I don't think its that big a deal. So what if you pass some guys on the trail?

Anyways, I used the phrase in an article awhile back. I did not use in the literal context, I was joking that I was passing guys while driving to a MTB event. DH was really ticked off that I used that phrase.

Turns out some of his guy friends have now said something to him about it making them mad as well.

I kind of feel like they are being hyper sensitive.

I am curious what my friends on TE think about the term "chicking" someone? Do you think it's negative or all in fun?

As a joke, to use chicked once or twice. That's it. But not every time when passing a guy or keeping score after ride.

That's how these women measure success after every ride??
It's a bit tiring and becomes unfunny. No different, than some men boast how much they beat (and I didn't mean it like that in a violent way) a woman ...on anything.

Can you imagine if you mentioned a person's colour? Oh, I passed this white guy/gal...and keeping score?

According to a recent Singletracks post on facebook, guys supposedly LOVE IT when women pass them on the trails. As long as they're hot.

Ughhhh...the whole thing drives me nuts. But I'd personally rather that no one notice I was a female when I was riding. And I think in your situation the guys are being a little sensitive.

Guys that react to being "chicked" have an ego problem. I suspect that gals who are into forcing the issue do to.

I once chicked a guy who is a big shot downhiller around here, on a spring on an xc ride. He was a really good sport... I mean, he's a downhiller and we all know how good thier cardio usually is, right? It was a moment of fun to remember. And I'm not a racer, not competitive at all. This one time it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up... it was real sprint and all.

It is tiring. I don't ride with these particular women much anymore. But their FB updates regularly refer to "chicking."

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Originally Posted by Irulan

Guys that react to being "chicked" have an ego problem. I suspect that gals who are into forcing the issue do to.

I once chicked a guy who is a big shot downhiller around here, on a spring on an xc ride. He was a really good sport... I mean, he's a downhiller and we all know how good thier cardio usually is, right? It was a moment of fun to remember. And I'm not a racer, not competitive at all. This one time it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up... it was real sprint and all.

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Awesome story!

And I know DH has a bit of an ego issue. His "confidence" was one of the characteristics that first attracted me.

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Originally Posted by Irulan

Guys that react to being "chicked" have an ego problem. I suspect that gals who are into forcing the issue do to.

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Yep. It's rare that I ever chick anyone...at least anyone not old enough to be my dad or young enough to be my kid (and that isn't going to happen for much longer, since my kid is 11 and a lot of boys his age are starting to really hit their athletic stride, literally and figuratively). The few times I have chicked guys my age I wait until I get home and then crow about it to my hubby, but that's it. Bragging about beating anyone out in public is bad form. We have no way of knowing their level of experience, potential health/injury issues, or whether they might be having a really bad workout/race and weren't able to bring their A-game.

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Originally Posted by limewave

If you aren't familiar with the term, it is used to describe when a woman catches or passes a man on single track.

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Does the term refer only on single track or on the trail?
I always pass guys because I race and I have to ride fast: this is what a race is about, right? And since I don't have much competition in my country (when the other girls arrive, I had already taken a shower and sometimes even nap), I have to compare with men. But I do it as long as I have to measure MY progress. It's not about them, it's about me.
It often happens that if I ride with a guy and I don't see my 1st place threatened, I slow down at the final so that the guy (especially if it's a young boy) can finish before me. I know it can hurt their ego so it's not a problem for me to wait and finish a second slower.
Sometimes men whom I'd chicked, came and congratulated me, shook my hand and were happy that lady passed them. But maybe these people are not really competitive, they go just for fun.

This term is used on the road, too.
I don't know. My DH is usually in awe of anyone who passes him, male or female. Especially the older guys, in non cycling clothes, riding a heavy mountain bike.

Well, for the term to mean anything or give any ego points, you have to assume that any man should at all times be stronger and fitter than any woman. Which is a bit defeatist, if you ask me.

I didn't realize it was a road term too, but makes sense. I don't do group road rides anymore so I'm kind of out of the loop.

I think I am a bit sensitive to this because of a more personal reason. DH, when we first met, really wanted a partner he could ride MTB with. And then I finally got a little stronger and lost a bit of weight and I could suddenly hold my own. I don't want to bash DH, because he is a great guy and partner in almost every aspect. However, my mtbing, I can tell, bothers him! I can see he struggles with this. He knows he's being a jerk about it, but can't stop himself. He's just not supportive of it anymore and he's resentful :(

It's really taking a toll on me. This season has been tough. I'm not all that motivated to go out and train because I know it bothers DH when I do well. I've also put on a bit of weight.

I keep telling myself this is DH's issue. I shouldn't let him hold me back. but it's tough! I don't want to create a wedge between us. :(

Ugh.

There are men (racers even) that have no problem with it and even think it is pretty dang awesome. Sure their egos make them push harder but they have said they are more bothered when they get blown away on the trail by a man they feel they could beat. My husband is in awe of a couple ladies in our series because they are able to pass him, he just appreciates athletic skill no matter the gender.

I do get a bit of joy out of chicking guys if they react negatively. Nothing like seeing them seeth a bit and try to chase you, in my mind it is race practice. My friend loves to do it for that reason so I will text her if I go to this trail I routinely chick guys at, just for a laugh between friends. Usually something like "great ride tonight, chicking boys left and right, you'd be so proud of me." She taught me a lot of my skills so she usually replies with "I taught you well."

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

I do get a bit of joy out of chicking guys if they react negatively. Nothing like seeing them seeth a bit and try to chase you, in my mind it is race practice. My friend loves to do it for that reason so I will text her if I go to this trail I routinely chick guys at, just for a laugh between friends. Usually something like "great ride tonight, chicking boys left and right, you'd be so proud of me." She taught me a lot of my skills so she usually replies with "I taught you well."

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Last week I was riding on the bike path, a training ride for my endurance race. This couple pulled out about 100 feet in front of me. They were in leisure clothes, obviously out for a nice afternoon of togetherness. The guy glances back and sees me. All of a sudden I notice his muscles tense and he takes off, leaving his wife in the dust without a word or explanation! He didn't want me to pass him! I felt so bad for his wife. I have never wanted to chick someone as badly as I did in that moment. It felt awesome to breeze pass him.

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Originally Posted by limewave

I keep telling myself this is DH's issue. I shouldn't let him hold me back. but it's tough! I don't want to create a wedge between us. :(

Ugh.

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You're not creating the wedge, he is.

You work hard to get the results you're getting. He needs to get over it, maybe couples counseling?

My DH's response - how could he not be proud of you and supportive?

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

You're not creating the wedge, he is.

You work hard to get the results you're getting. He needs to get over it, maybe couples counseling?

My DH's response - how could he not be proud of you and supportive?

Veronica

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This. I don't think the long-term answer to your DH's insecurities is to simply give into them. I agree that counseling could help, but in the meantime, keep doing what you want to do as it relates to fitness and mtbing. Your husband's issue is his issue to fix.

I also strongly recommend Harriet Lerner's The Dance of Anger. It's very helpful in learning how to reapproach a recurring issue or argument in a relationship. I hear Lerner's voice in my head anytime I'm dealing with someone who wants me to feel guilty or responsible for a problem that isn't really my problem to fix.

As for "chicking," I understand the desire to gloat every now and again when passing a man, but it's not the mindset that I what to be in most of the time I'm on the road. But if I guy can't take the comment as something intended to be a bit tongue in cheek, they're taking themselves too seriously.

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Originally Posted by limewave

I didn't realize it was a road term too, but makes sense. I don't do group road rides anymore so I'm kind of out of the loop.

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I didn't really realize it was used in the cycling world until recently. Chicking is definitely a concept in running. If a woman passes a guy while wearing a skirt it's sometimes viewed as an even bigger deal. :p

I'm sorry that your DH is struggling with things. I have to say as a spouse that is sort of in his position that I will be REALLY thankful when Lumberjack is over--not because I really envy my DH's mountain bike abilities (I can't expect to keep up with him--he's been riding for years and is just naturally a really athletic guy--I don't have any natural athletic ability and have crap-fer-lungs on top of it), but because it takes a lot of his time and when he is home is is always super tired. I mean, what healthy 40 year old guy says no to a nekkid wife in his bed?! :confused: I really hope he doesn't decide to do it again next year. Between his week+ trip out west for mountain biking and general Lumberjack training I sort of feel like my husband has been hijacked.

We had plans of redoing our upstairs and having it done by Summer. I got one "attic" room done by myself and as much as I could get moved into it. Now the room we want to renovate for DS is still full of DH's boxes of books and crap and I can't get any more done until he tackles that--but he has no time or energy for it. I'm desperate to get this house sellable (as is he, most of the time), but it's taking a backseat to his fun, which really kinda p!sses me off. His little midlife crisis (he turned 40 in Feb.) would have been easier if he'd just gone out and bought a sports car. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by lph

Well, for the term to mean anything or give any ego points, you have to assume that any man should at all times be stronger and fitter than any woman. Which is a bit defeatist, if you ask me.

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chiming in, unless racing, biking should be about things other than competition but I realize I am in the minority :p

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

I do get a bit of joy out of chicking guys if they react negatively. Nothing like seeing them seeth a bit and try to chase you, in my mind it is race practice.

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This.
I'd never be able to "chick" my DH - either on the road or trail. He's just too fast for me. But we ride together a fair bit, and I'll take turns at the front. Last week, DH and I were out on our TT bikes. We passed a guy who didn't like being passed - most especially it seems by a couple of lycra wearing folks (even a woman!) on a time trial bike. He was gonna show us - and got on my wheel and wouldn't give up. He was quite the sketchy rider - the sort who blows stop signs and red lights to get ahead only for us to catch him again. We were riding at our pace and actually groaned when we caught him again, only to have him hop on my wheel again. By the time we got to a long gradual hill out of the park - DH took off, I was recovering from a long ride the day before and a long run that morning. But I was sick of this guy on my wheel, so I put the hammer down. I rocketed up that hill at 18 mph (NEVER did that before) and dropped him like a stone. So happy we left the park - and him - not long after that. I told DH at the top of the hill "Yeah, I had to chick him, he was annoying."

So that's about the only "chicking" I ever do. Annoy me...and I'll put the hammer down. For pete's sake get over it if someone - a woman - passes you.

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Originally Posted by 7rider

This.
I'd never be able to "chick" my DH - either on the road or trail. He's just too fast for me. But we ride together a fair bit, and I'll take turns at the front. Last week, DH and I were out on our TT bikes. We passed a guy who didn't like being passed - most especially it seems by a couple of lycra wearing folks (even a woman!) on a time trial bike. He was gonna show us - and got on my wheel and wouldn't give up. He was quite the sketchy rider - the sort who blows stop signs and red lights to get ahead only for us to catch him again. We were riding at our pace and actually groaned when we caught him again, only to have him hop on my wheel again. By the time we got to a long gradual hill out of the park - DH took off, I was recovering from a long ride the day before and a long run that morning. But I was sick of this guy on my wheel, so I put the hammer down. I rocketed up that hill at 18 mph (NEVER did that before) and dropped him like a stone. So happy we left the park - and him - not long after that. I told DH at the top of the hill "Yeah, I had to chick him, he was annoying."

So that's about the only "chicking" I ever do. Annoy me...and I'll put the hammer down. For pete's sake get over it if someone - a woman - passes you.

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Wait lemme guess, the park in question was Rock Creek. I used to encounter many guys on Beach Drive who could not abide being passed by a woman. Sometimes I would just stop and give them a chance to get up the road to get them out of my ride.

Since I have never been athletic in my life, I'm happy to pass ANYONE!
_______________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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Originally Posted by TigerMom

Since I have never been athletic in my life, I'm happy to pass ANYONE!

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+1 My "chicking" tally is a massive 3 :cool: and I suspect one doesn't count as it was a mum with a childseat (though I was pulling B in a trailer at the time), the second is dubious as it was a much older gentleman with a laden backpack. The third was my dh, just a few yards from the top of a hill, and I have to say that passing him was the icing on the cake as that was the first time I'd managed to ride the whole hill in one go. He took it in very good form, as indeed I do every time he passes me. :D

The term is an interesting one, and it does seem to often have an edge to it. I think I prefer "dropping", though that term would probably bother some anyway. Regardless, I've not done it often, but I've done it a few times. Generally the other rider has been very new or only rides once a year, far more out of shape, and/or on a bike without many gears. There isn't much of a chance for an ego boost when I've done it. This is a good thing!

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

I do get a bit of joy out of chicking guys if they react negatively.

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That. I passed a guy in his 40s last summer on the trail. He freaked out, then blew past me, giving me a dirty look in the process. I later passed him, sprawled out in the grass trying to catch his breath.:rolleyes:

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I think I am a bit sensitive to this because of a more personal reason. DH, when we first met, really wanted a partner he could ride MTB with. And then I finally got a little stronger and lost a bit of weight and I could suddenly hold my own. I don't want to bash DH, because he is a great guy and partner in almost every aspect. However, my mtbing, I can tell, bothers him! I can see he struggles with this. He knows he's being a jerk about it, but can't stop himself. He's just not supportive of it anymore and he's resentful

It's really taking a toll on me. This season has been tough. I'm not all that motivated to go out and train because I know it bothers DH when I do well. I've also put on a bit of weight.

I keep telling myself this is DH's issue. I shouldn't let him hold me back. but it's tough! I don't want to create a wedge between us.

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Hope you find a solution with hubby, limewave. But I hope you also have a female, good mtbiking friend to chat about cycling in general. Indy's suggestion "Dance of Anger" is a good book for all sorts of relationships.

I have never really heard that term used. With co-workers who bike and commute we like to talk about our cat 6 (category 6) racing. Cat 6 is the act of riding/commuting with the idea that everyone else is "racing" you/them. We get some great stories. I don't tend to base it on gender though as I see this on both sides. :)

I don't care who passes me: I just want to enjoy my ride and not be forced to walk my bike....but I will walk my bike if there's something I can't accomplish on bike.

So until I joined TE forums, I had never heard of the term "chicked". I don't hang out with any cycling group/friends who train regularily together or compete. So not surprisingly after cycling regularily for last 20 yrs., I am not familiar with certain cycling 'subcultures', particularily on intensive /racing side.

Over the years, my partner tells me, with admiration and respect of other cyclists who may have passed him, male or female. I think it's important for any woman or guy who is an experienced cyclist, that over time they will not be always as strong cycling-wise. It doesn't get easier as you get beyond 50, 60 years old.

Cycling for a long time in your lifetime..requires being patient with oneself as one's physical abilities changes. We just have to enjoy the ride..no matter what speed. And forget about other cyclists around us and their speed.

Oh, yea, my partner..is 69. I would be concerned if he felt his ego was battered, but it's not. Because he was never oriented to be always "better", "faster" than the next guy/gal.

I really don't have a problem with people passing me, or passing other people (doesn't happen very often), but if they're going to be jerks about it, well...

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Originally Posted by Owlie

I really don't have a problem with people passing me, or passing other people (doesn't happen very often), but if they're going to be jerks about it, well...

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That's kind of how I feel about it . . . and I race :p It's more about doing my own ride.

Every once in a while I'll be stopped at a red light or stop sign on the way home and someone - usually male, but not always - will push past me and plonk their bike down right in front of me. Because of course they're going to be faster than some plump grey-haired lady. :rolleyes:
Trouble is, they frequently aren't. And I have to find a way to pass them in traffic. Luckily, traffic on my present commuting route isn't heavy, but if they're going to get huffy about it, I remind myself that they asked for it. Same as the people who push off the wall at the same time as me in the pool and "race" me... and then shoot me filthy looks for the rest of the swim session because I had the audacity to swim faster than them and then keep going for 10 more lengths while they gasped for breath at the wall after two.
Moral of the story: never race anyone that your ego can't bear to lose to.

I've told this story before, but I once passed 3 guys on road bikes, and one of them said to the others, "you gonna let that girl pass you?" The other guys said "yup," then they all laughed. It was pretty funny.

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Originally Posted by nuliajuk

Every once in a while I'll be stopped at a red light or stop sign on the way home and someone - usually male, but not always - will push past me and plonk their bike down right in front of me. Because of course they're going to be faster than some plump grey-haired lady. :rolleyes:
Trouble is, they frequently aren't. And I have to find a way to pass them in traffic. Luckily, traffic on my present commuting route isn't heavy, but if they're going to get huffy about it, I remind myself that they asked for it. Same as the people who push off the wall at the same time as me in the pool and "race" me... and then shoot me filthy looks for the rest of the swim session because I had the audacity to swim faster than them and then keep going for 10 more lengths while they gasped for breath at the wall after two.
Moral of the story: never race anyone that your ego can't bear to lose to.

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I love this post. You rock!

I just found an interesting blog post about being chicked. The author totally had me, aside from her snide comment about anyone who runs >8:50 pace (seriously, lady...?! :rolleyes: ).

Eh, I didn't think it was that snide. Seriously, if a guy runs an 8:50 mile and really believes that he's not going to be passed by women? That's problematic. I liked her article though, especially what she says at the start about the assumption that men are always physically superior. Eyeball Gouge.

Occasionally when I go to group rides, some guy will race to get ahead of me at the start of the ride. Often I will end up passing him and staying ahead for the rest of the ride. I don't make a point to pass him, I am just faster. If he catches up and passes me, not a problem with me.
There was this one guy that I remember tho, he started the ride just that way, racing to get on the trail before I did. Sure enough, I pass him & keep ahead. But at every stop & re-group, he pushes ahead of me - only to have me pass him on the trail a few minutes later. After the third time of pushing past me, I did make a point to get right up on his back wheel for a ways and made him fight to keep ahead before I passed him again. Snarky, but fun.

The other day I was out doing an endurance ride. There was a mass showing of a local team there, probably about 15-20 guys. I was doing lap after lap and I kept seeing the guys. I never passed them, but they never got too far ahead that I didn't see them here and there. Getting into the parking lot at the end of the night, a couple of the guys were complimenting me on my riding. I thought that was really nice, that rarely happens.

I've also noticed the following happening frequently: I've been doing a lot of riding by myself. I show up at a trail head and there just happens to be some guys I know. Guys that aren't super fast, I imagine I would be able to keep pace without blowing a lung ;) They chit-chat in the parking lot and ask if I'm riding alone. Yup, I am. And then they say "have a nice ride" and take off. They never offer to ride together.

Some of the time I catch them and go on by, sometimes they stay just 100 feet ahead of me. I've not been in a racing mood lately--in other words, I'm out there doing my own ride at a steady pace, no desire to try and chase anyone down.

Anyways, just thought it was kind of odd they never invite me a long :rolleyes: It makes me wonder if their afeared of riding with a girl.

had to add my funny experience to this- in the past two years I have been mountain biking- everyone is friendly at trailheads- but no one has ever asked me to join them before. I just have recently gotten back into road and this A.M. THREE different groups of riders (two all male) asked me to join them when we met at intersections! Richmond must have the friendliest bikers ever! (: (and back to the whole "chicked" theme...yes, I had passed two of the groups... politely of course)

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Originally Posted by tealtreak

had to add my funny experience to this- in the past two years I have been mountain biking- everyone is friendly at trailheads- but no one has ever asked me to join them before. I just have recently gotten back into road and this A.M. THREE different groups of riders (two all male) asked me to join them when we met at intersections! Richmond must have the friendliest bikers ever! (: (and back to the whole "chicked" theme...yes, I had passed two of the groups... politely of course)

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Richmond is really catching the cycling bug; all the talk of the Road World Championship in 2015 is having an impact. I see a lot more cyclists than I did when I first moved here.

Let me know if you ever want to ride! I have been just recently loving the road again- but Pocahontas, Poor Farm and Dogwood Dell/Belle Isle are my favorites when I have time to drive to trails (:
Also- you are right about Richmond- Cap to Cap was so well attended this year they had to close registration- no day of at all.........

I've never actually heard this term before, but I think it's silly. Why assume a guy can/should be better than me? Why assume he can't? Gender has nothing to do with it.

On the ERock ride I did this weekend, on an uphill, I passed a tall, fit man on an uphill. Apparently he looked a little annoyed by it. Well, that's what happens on a big ride, buddy. Total riders that day was about 7500 between the different lengths.

At the same time, I usually ride with two guys. I constantly, routinely, lead and set the pace. If I drag behind, I usually can catch up and pass too. No one cares. We're all going to the same place.

In my experience, men who are very offended at being passed by a woman are actually quite rare. They tend to stick out in your mind, but most guys are relieved if you can keep up, as they don't have to keep stopping to wait for you. The rare obnoxious ones tend not to join clubs, because in a club they'd find a lot of people they can't bear to be passed by - older riders, kids, etc..