TE rocks (inspired by Queer Eye thread)

[KnottedYet]

no dust, just mold.

[Flybye]

I think we are so wonderful here because we have proven everything that we need to prove already.

No need to flame someone else into tiny bits - we know we are all fantastically beautiful, wonderful, and confident.............

No need to beat someone to death with words to feel good about ourselves..........

[Trek420]

no dust, just mold.

no mold, just moss

[MM_QFC!]

no mold, just moss

but no worries...we grow webbed feet and get special cycling shoes too!

[susiej]

I think it's that everyone sets a good example. Disagreements really are differences of opinion; there are no ad hominem attacks. Posters are unfailingly polite and make sure to write so that they aren't misinterpreted. There's no attitude of superiority over non-bikers, or different bikers.

On other forums I read (one 99.9% women, one 100% women), posters disparage people with different opinions or practices, both other posters and "outsiders." For example, one woman justified her sneering at mothers who don't breastfeed by saying she had done a lot of research to determine that breastfeeding was the best choice, and that anyone who didn't breastfeed wasn't doing her best. It was that attitude of what's best for me is best for you that horrified me.

TE posters make an effort to write well. It's a personal peeve, and I probably miss some great things, but I can't read anything without standard capitalization, unless it's by e.e. cummings. Thank you for that from the bottom of my uptight heart!

[Grog]

but no worries...we grow webbed feet and get special cycling shoes too!

I just screw the cleats directly into my palmed feet.

[Veronica]

I salute my TE sisters & brothers with a toast of my morning coffee.

Why did you put your toast in your coffee? Why bother to toast it at all? You're wasting electricity if you're just going to let it get soggy. Starving people in the UK could have used that electricity.

V.

[vmax]

I've been on this site for a couple of months and don't post very often . . but I've learned TONS about biking while reading the many topics online.

In my experience, please no slams, but I've found that predominantly female sites have much more bickering as compared to men. One site in particular, not related to biking, is very volatile, even when discussions go off-topic. Should anyone disagree with the "queen bees", then you are subject to all kinds of nasty notes.

Anyhoo, my thoughts are that this board seems to be composed of very dedicated, confident, disciplined women who bike in addition to other sports. I think that the dedication to biking (or any specific subject) makes all the difference, again, my opinion. And, perhaps it is just the overall makeup of the women who visit this site. Irregardless, for my short time visiting here, I am appreciative of the support and knowledge that is shared among many . . . kudos to all

- Vivian, MN

[bmccasland]

Why did you put your toast in your coffee? Why bother to toast it at all? You're wasting electricity if you're just going to let it get soggy. Starving people in the UK could have used that electricity.

V.

<SNORF> This is what I get for trying to engage fingers and brain at the same time too early in the morning.

I take my bread, toasted on one side, with butter and jam, and NOT in my coffee, thank you very much. Soggy bread is icky.

I'll still raise a cup of cheer to all of you! Here here!

[IFjane]

I admit I'm a TE forum junkie. MUST have my daily fix. MUST HAVE IT.

I like that we can have a difference of opinion, but for the most part we respect the fact that we're allowed to have a difference, discuss it, and move / ride / on.

I salute my TE sisters & brothers with a toast of my morning coffee.

Like you, Beth, I am a TE junkie as well. I may not post each time I am here, but I check in at least once a day (usually once here at the office and once after I get home).

I, too, toast all my TE sisters & brothers! (green tea this time )

[shootingstar]

In my experience, please no slams, but I've found that predominantly female sites have much more bickering as compared to men. One site in particular, not related to biking, is very volatile, even when discussions go off-topic. Should anyone disagree with the "queen bees", then you are subject to all kinds of nasty notes.

Anyhoo, my thoughts are that this board seems to be composed of very dedicated, confident, disciplined women who bike in addition to other sports. I think that the dedication to biking (or any specific subject) makes all the difference, again, my opinion. And, perhaps it is just the overall makeup of the women who visit this site. - Vivian, MN

I dropped out of another women's cycling internet listserv several yrs. ago when it appeared (to me) the moderator was abit too heavy-handed in terms of control/content/how we should communicate. And none of us cursed.

I am on another all-women's internet forum which is completely different and non-cycling where the so-called 'bickering' and queen bee stuff doesn't occur hardly at all. Not sure if it makes a difference, but the forum is aimed exclusively to women born in the boomer years and beyond. Not sure, but to me, the more experienced women are, in terms of living through major life experiences/crises..and finding their own identity and strength as a woman, there MIGHT be less of need to slam/put-down other people online.

My perception of female cyclists, who are consistently ride for several consecutive years, seems to share a common characteristic of: down-to-earth pragmatism and a dogged dedication.

I perceive men as more willing to horse around and insult each other in a playful way that they don't take so personally ...compared to women...both on the Internet and in their own face-to-face group communication. I have worked for 4 different organizations where men dominated 80% of the workforce..and see this consistently over and over...and this among men who are literate/educated/professionals.

[Running Mommy]

I love TE for all of the reasons mentioned above.
And I'm very proud to say I have a friend in Perth, a Friend in England, a couple if canada, and one from just about every state in the union!!

Tho explaining that some of them are "internet buddies" and that I haven't met them in person can be a bit hard...
The lady at the post office thinks I have friends from all over the world after I sent out my Christmas cards this year.

[mimitabby]

Yeah, What runningmommy said.

I have friends all over the world, partially from TE.
I have gotten packages from all over. I have sent get well gifts to more than one person and my life has been enriched as well in many ways.

[latelatebloomer]

Don't know why, but I don't always get along so well with other women. Sometimes I feel like I was raised by wolves and didn't learn the secret handshake or something. But time and time again I come to TE for some positive conversation, mutual support of all kinds of goals, and coffee-snorting humor. Whether it's a face plant, a flat tire, a goal met or an ego needing a bandaid, some of you will take the time to help. And every once in a while, I can do something for someone else.

I think it has something to do with us being women who keep setting goals for ourselves, who want to keep moving forward in life. Thanks for being there. I don't think I would have achieved so much transformation without TE.

[firenze11]

I haven't really participated in forums very much. Actually, I think I've only participated very shortly in one other forum. I found TE when I started bike shopping and lurked for quite awhile. First it was for some information, but then I began to notice how vibrant, open, supportive, inspirational, respectful and helpful the people (mostly women of course, but the handful of men, also) were/are. I'm so happy I joined and have felt comfortable asking questions even when I worry about sounding silly. Sure, there are differing opinions and sometime topics or postings can be contentious, but it seems like there is an underlying respect that runs through the threads. Coming here is now a daily addiction.

And now because of TE I want to try a tri. So the community at TE is helping me push beyond my comfy little walls. I have to thank you for that. (annnnd now I'm going to stop sounds like a commerical )

In short - I agree, TE Rocks!