New Biker, Was recently shunned!

[quint41]

Late getting into this thread, but just wanted to say ...

1) the vast majority of cyclists are fantastic people. Which leads me to believe those women you encountered are not "real" cyclists.

2) I agree with the very first comment -- they probably are not capable of riding any farther than 25. My very first thought was, "if you're such a great cyclist yourself, why aren't you out on the century?"

3) I heard of a guy on a group ride (and this guy was apparently all man), who rides one of those pretty pastel teal green Bianchi's. He had the green bike, water bottle, bar tape and even the helmet to match! I'd like to hear them comment on his pastel ride!

4) Someday I'm going to have MY frame powder coated like this:

[sundial]

Personally, I would be honored to be smoked by a chick on a pink bike.

[LadyInMotion]

I know this is a late response, hadn't been online in awhile but I also had a similiar experience as a new rider. I winced as I read this because I know how it feels when you want to fit in and some are determined that you are not.

No they did not attack the color of my bike and no, its not pink. I brought up the end of a group (both F and M)ride and two of the front female riders made a comment they didn't think the big girl was going to make it - in not so nice tones and both laughed. Others nearby looked very uncomfortable and obviously did not know what to say. Yes, I know I am a big girl trying to lose the weight and I know my face was red and sweaty but by-gosh I did it and I was not going to let these two diminish my accomplishment. The adult thing to have done would have been to ignore them but I just couldn't. I just smiled and said "I'm sorry {long pause}...exercise usually helps PMS." and then went over to fountain and refilled my water bottle. I did notice after that others made a point to smile or encourage me on the ride.

There are some like this in all groups, not just cyclists, and they will ridicule anything and it really wasn't about the color of your bike or my size they had a problem with.

[indigoiis]

When I first rode with the local bike shop, I was riding my mountain bike.
The owner told me to leave early with the fat bottom girls.

I couldn't believe what he said. I looked at him askance. "Tha whaaat?"

What he really said was "The flat-bar'd girls" meaning, the girls on mountain or fitness bikes who were leaving early because of having fatter tires / slower bikes.

His accent really threw me off.

[KnottedYet]

"Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go 'round.... ....Get on your bikes and RIDE!" (Queen)

Dang, I wanna start a "Fat Bottomed Girls" ride! We could have so much fun! Extra points if your saddle has springs! (mine does )

I think I'll post one up for November, and see if anyone wants to join me!

[elk]

I would LOVE to come along...with my springs and my brick house bottom...;-)
but you're far....

e

[KnottedYet]

Not THAT far! A mere 3 1/2 hrs away!

[sundial]

Extra points if your saddle has springs! (mine does )

What about bicycle bells? Any extra points?

[KnottedYet]

Oh, yeah, bike bells are also extra points! (each of my bikes have springs and bells, so of course I'm gonna go for extra points!)

Still got reflectors in your spokes and on your platform pedals? More points! (I like to be seen in Seattle's gray low-light days, bring on the reflectors!)

I think I'll try to do up a Fat Bottomed Girls ride in November. It'll probably rain, but who cares!

[teigyr]

"Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go 'round.... ....Get on your bikes and RIDE!" (Queen)

Dang, I wanna start a "Fat Bottomed Girls" ride! We could have so much fun! Extra points if your saddle has springs! (mine does )

I think I'll post one up for November, and see if anyone wants to join me!

ME ME ME!!! That would be fantastic. No springs, alas, but I match some of the other criteria

[bicyclulz]

To LadyinMotion/Pam: Wow, that was a very sheisty thing for those "ladies" to say and I applaud you for getting a comeback in! So jealous, wish i had a chance to shun them right back.

And to everyone else who has had similar experiences, I am so grateful to hear so much encouragement and similar stories. I know for me its made me a bit hesitant to meet up and go on a group ride because I don't want to not be able to keep up (I am a self-proclaimed slug). But I did go on my own little mini 14+ mile ride around this neighborhood while my daughter and BF were out on a mountain biking group ride:-)

So cheers to us ladies who keep riding:-)

xxoo Bicyclulz

[sundial]

Aw man, why do you guys have all the fun?

Guess I'll have to stick to my backroads solo rides.