Should Men be allowed in a Women's Forum?

[mimitabby]

My middle finger is longer than my ring finger. I doubt it's genetic or even a measure of my potential... I think it just got that way by practice!

no, no Blue,
the comparison is between the index and the ring finger, and for some reason,
even if you're lefty, only the right hand counts.

I have long ring fingers and so does DH and my two sons. One day a few months ago, I had everyone in the bike club (at a dinner) show me their fingers. It was about 50-50 and some of the little ring fingers belonged to racers. so go figure.

[Kitsune06]

Wait, do we measure from the top or from the bottom? Er, I mean back of the hand or palm? Palmwise, I think my index looks longer...

Bluetree, I agree.... Wishful thinking and selective adaptation.

[Bikingmomof3]

Just checked my identical twins hands...index and ring finger are the same length on both hands. DH points out his are not. My index finger is longer on both hands. What the heck does that mean?

[mimitabby]

Just checked my identical twins hands...index and ring finger are the same length on both hands. DH points out his are not. My index finger is longer on both hands. What the heck does that mean?

YOU HAVE A TWIN?????

So which one of you is more competitive?

[Kitsune06]

Does it matter? We already know Jen's the evil one...

ohhhhh
I kid 'cuz I love
my sister.
ARRR!!! Nooo don't chase me!!! AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!~
.....


....

[salsabike]

Here, amuse yourselves with the whole finger measurement thing and more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbo...add_user.shtml

[Pedal Wench]

The whole debate is moot, because there is no way to police it. However, our kind and generous sponsors and hosts could easily open the forum only to TE customers. (In which case, I would have a gold-plated lifetime membership!) That might be a way of limiting access, but it's not very appealing. I think most of us like the welcoming feel of this group. Inclusionary, not exclusionary...

[Bikingmomof3]

YOU HAVE A TWIN?????

So which one of you is more competitive?

I am not a twin. I have identical twin boys. Sorry for the confusion.

[mimitabby]

I am not a twin. I have identical twin boys. Sorry for the confusion.

OH DUH!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

OH DUH!!!

Could you imagine two of me? Scary thought!

[Eden]

I participate both here and in co-ed forums. Personally I like posting and reading here more because there is a greater range of topics discussed and the discussions tend to be more thought out and civil than because it is exclusively women. Granted these things happen likely because it is a women's forum, but thoughtfullness and civility are not mutually exclusive with being a man. I can see no reason to discriminate against anyone and I can understand if a man might like this forum for the same reasons I do. (speaking as a woman married to a man who feels he doesn't understand other men all that well and what's all that macho bs about anyway...but he's not a forum reader kind of guy so I don't think you'll ever hear from him)

Plus, like others said this is a public forum - anyone who wants to can get on and read your posts, so sorry to break any illusions, but don't share things you want to keep private... If it would embarass you to discuss diva cups or hormones in a crowded noisy restaurant, well this is pretty much the same atmosphere, anyone can "overhear" you.

[Kitsune06]

Civil, yes, but I'd like to point out that although we have the term "testosterone poisoning" for the BJ/MTBR forums' knack for "You suck because of a,b,c...." and "My bike has more bling because a,b,c..." we manage to have our own ridiculous cattiness and metaphorical "My <X> is bigger/better/lighter/more expensive than yours" going on here. No real term for it, certainly not 'estrogen poisoning'... probably not even insecurity. Just stupid cattiness.

Men did not bring that here. It's our own competitive nature. Yes it runs rampant on those other forums to a much greater degree, but pressed, I betcha I could come up with several threads who have managed great wonders of b*tchiness.

I just LOVE the ones where newbies will come on and say "I'm just starting biking, but only want to spend $3k on a bike..."
...wtf? If you're just starting, entry level is fine. Better than fine. I'd encourage it. I wouldn't say anyone would be wasting their money. Why? Entry level is heavier. It does not glide like a little nimble gazelle. That's good. Why? Because then you have to work that much harder as you start out. It strengthens you while you still have that cute novice drive.
Hate to break it to anyone, too, but unless you're racing etc, it's worthless shave grams here and there and everywhere at the expense of hundreds.
You know that chick in downtown Portland wearing striped knee socks and an Invader Zim messenger bag on the rusty, hot pink singlespeed nishiki? She'll blow your doors in. Hardcore. Why? She does it every freakin' day. She's no weight weenie. She's not a wooly nut. She just does what she does every day, and then hangs with her friends for a beer and a pizza.

Another thing, You list to me the real racers on this forum, and guaranteed, you look at what they're saying, where they're posting, they are generally not the ones talking smack about who's what is lighter, whether or not their Underarmor is better than your whatever, or if entry level is a waste of time.

We cannot ban men on the basis of 'testosterone poisoning' on coed forums because we bring it right here, ladies. Right here in our own back yard.

[Eden]

Whoa Kit!
I'm not saying there is never any heated discussion or down right silly bickering here and/or that there is never anything useful said on the co-ed board I post to either - otherwise I'd quit visiting there. There's just significantly less of it here. The trend really is for less of that behavior and more really trying to answer questions and be supportive. The other forum has a lot more members too so there is a lot more repetition of people asking the same questions over and over again - and that cannot be blamed on the gender of the posters.

btw - what I really don't miss that doesn't go on here much if at all is the my favorite pro rider is better than your favorite pro rider - that's only because your favorite rider dopes -yours does too - well you suck- no you suck blah de blah de blah de that gets discussed a lot on the other forum.

[mimitabby]

btw - what I really don't miss that doesn't go on here much if at all is the my favorite pro rider is better than your favorite pro rider - that's only because your favorite rider dopes -yours does too - well you suck- no you suck blah de blah de blah de that gets discussed a lot on the other forum.

What we are spared of here is: "I rode such and such in 2 hours" to get a response of; "well, I did it in 55 minutes, with only 1 pedal!"
the constant testosterone challenge. Here, you might not be the best rider
but the better (?) riders aren't going to grind you into the dirt for sharing your achievements.

[Veronica]

Of course there is heated discussion. There are some things people are quite passionate about. I guess I've missed something because I haven't seen a lot of cattiness. I've seen questioning some one's opinion and asking for evidence to support their opinion. But not a lot of cattiness. I have not seen people putting down what others are riding. But I don't read every thread either. It may be there, but it's not rampant.

If we all agreed on every little thing, what would be the point of a forum?

We'd all be riding Rivendells and sitting on Brooks saddles because naturally that's the right thing. Only black leather bar tape is allowed.

Everyone would drink Sustain mixed with gatorade, the green flavor. Only orange and red sports beans would be allowed. Red Bull not any other energy drink and nothing with raisins. Everyone would be training to do double centuries, none of this triathlon stuff.

Oh and only friction shifters, the only carbon allowed is your brake levers and only eggbeaters for pedals. Everyone must wear ruby slippers and red and orange are the only bike colors allowed.

Every one's favorite pro rider is Danilo Diluca because his name is cool to say over and over in your head as you climb up a big freakin' mountain.

So, you're all on board right?!


V.

Please feel free to debate with me on any of those issues. But don't expect to change my mind.