getting dropped

[Mr. Bloom]

Men always get very competitive when a woman can keep up with them.

I always say, "If you want to see a man ride faster... let a woman pass him."

I hear ya'...but I also think men get competitive when anyone passes them...

Depending on the guy, they may be racing to catch up as a form of "playing the field" because they found a woman with impressive abilities.

Yes, some guys are shallow...but others will be very impressed by an athletic woman...others are attracted to intellect...etc

[Starfish]

Yes, some guys are shallow...but others will be very impressed by an athletic woman...others are attracted to intellect...etc

Mr., you know I love you and I'm happy you're here. But give me a break...we know this (well, I guess I shouldn't speak for everyone here...I know this).

[Geonz]

SOmebody had to defend the dudes

There is a different chemistry.
Have you considered growing yhour own? There's a reasonably good chance that there honestly are women who *would* ride if there were a supportive community. I am *always* running into the "I wish I did it more" crowd, and while a mess of 'em are just whining and don't really have any intention of changing, others... welp, others have come out on that Saturday Saunter ride that I lead... on the Gazelle or the Xtra cycle, going ouit for half an hour or 45 minutes of "peppier" riding before the ride... then the odd intervals and pushing the heavy bike along mean I'm getting further training on the Saunter.
We also have a really neat women's ride that's fast... but simply not testosterone-driven. It ain't that that's a bad thing - it's just different. (and this town's got about 100,000 people and about 200 of 'em are in the bike club... but there's been years of effort to make the club welcome at the entry level.)

[indysteel]

SOmebody had to defend the dudes

I may get totally shot down for this, but I've really had more issues with competitive women than with men. The men I ride with are generally very supportive. In contrast, I've had a number of incidents with the stronger women that I ride with who act like they have something to prove, not just to the men in the group, but to the women as well. And I stopped riding with a friend who never failed to remind me that she was faster than me. I got sick of hearing it.

That said, I actually don't think it's a male or female thing. The truth is that some people make better riding buddies than others. For me, gender isn't necessarily the issue. I don't mind riding with a strong group if I know they will have my back if I start to peter out, and I avoid riding with people who'd rather outdo me than stay together.

At training rides, I have no expectation that anybody will stay with me because it's not a "no-drop" ride. If I get dropped, I get dropped. I don't always like it, but I also see it as a challenge to be proud of myself even when I don't perform as well as I'd like. When I first started doing the trainer, I got really frustrated because I couldn't always keep up, but I then tried to change my attitude about what success and failure means with respect to my biking and overall fitness. Any day I take care of myself--even if taking care of myself means riding easy or resting--is a success. Even if I can't keep up, I'm still working harder than the millions of people sitting on their couch!

That said, there are days where I'm not in the mood to go out hard, so I skip the trainer and ride with a kinder, gentler group.

[Tuckervill]

I just volunteered to be the Women's Riding Development coordinator for the new club that's starting.

I hope to get my man Max, who has so eloquently taught me the basics of group riding, to get involved with the newbie riders I hope to attract.

I also hope to sponge off all you ladies who have done this before. I'm a pretty good leader in general--good at herding people, hearing people, and keeping the momentum going forward. Hopefully those skills will transfer to this new endeavor.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

Oh, and I am SO going to steal that name--Saturday Saunter! It just says it all. We live far enough apart as to avoid stepping on toes, don't we?

Karen

[Pax]

Way to go Tuck!!

I hope your friend will help out, my memory of the slooow ride was Geonz going back and forth the length of the group encouraging/chatting/answering questions, while a very experienced rider in the club set a 12mph pace. It was an excellent way to learn pacing (I tend to go 18mph...then10...then20...then 10, it was great having someone hold the pace at a perfect speed), he was like a metronome!

[shootingstar]

I may get totally shot down for this, but I've really had more issues with competitive women than with men. The men I ride with are generally very supportive. In contrast, I've had a number of incidents with the stronger women that I ride with who act like they have something to prove, not just to the men in the group, but to the women as well. And I stopped riding with a friend who never failed to remind me that she was faster than me. I got sick of hearing it.

That said, I actually don't think it's a male or female thing. The truth is that some people make better riding buddies than others. For me, gender isn't necessarily the issue. I don't mind riding with a strong group if I know they will have my back if I start to peter out, and I avoid riding with people who'd rather outdo me than stay together.

At training rides, I have no expectation that anybody will stay with me because it's not a "no-drop" ride. If I get dropped, I get dropped. I don't always like it, but I also see it as a challenge to be proud of myself even when I don't perform as well as I'd like. When I first started doing the trainer, I got really frustrated because I couldn't always keep up, but I then tried to change my attitude about what success and failure means with respect to my biking and overall fitness. Any day I take care of myself--even if taking care of myself means riding easy or resting--is a success. Even if I can't keep up, I'm still working harder than the millions of people sitting on their couch!

That said, there are days where I'm not in the mood to go out hard, so I skip the trainer and ride with a kinder, gentler group.

Well said, indy. Some people personality-wise are just better riding buddies...meaning at least they stay in your sightline, if it isn't paceline.

You are so right, about taking care of yourself and being proud of one's own achievements to keep on riding...to keep fit and happy!