"Ride like a girl"... How do you feel about that?

[malkin]

In my most humorless early twenties, all females were "women," until I worked with some of women in their 70s and 80s and they called each other 'girls' if they were close and 'ladies' if they were social, but not so close. The crowd of them had been everywhere and done everything and worked for their rights and to correct society's wrongs, and best of all they got me through my humorless phase.

RLAG doesn't stike any nerve for me.

[Irulan]

If I went into a shop and saw the RLAG merchandise, I would be less interested in that LBS. I have no negative feelings about the slogan, but I've never seen RLAG merchandise that isnt girly, adolescent or (IMHO) silly looking.

When I walk into a shop I want to see high-end performance gear that helps me kick butt as an athlete. If a shop wants to be woman-friendly, I'd rather see employees versed in womens riding issues, smaller high-end bikes, wide selections of small wheels/shifters/handlebars/etc, and a larger selection of womens technical apparel.

That RLAG merchandise just doesn't to it for me.

instead of punishing your LBS, if if you have that strong of feelings about RLAG, perhaps write a letter to Georgia Terry, founder and owner of Terry bikes. She's female obviously, and had done a tremendous job of promoting and enhancing women's cycling.

Terry builds bikes for women, and has an incredible line of clothing and accessories. I doubt that RLAG is not women friendly, it's just a perspective that doesn't appeal to you.

[DDH]

Really it just goes along with the diversity of the world. I've been reading through these post and am amazed at how differently people take things.

So I guess I have to say it all just depends on each individual and how they take things. I don't take offense to it at all. I think it's rather cute myself and I have the Rosie saddle with it on there, and if my butt didn't hang over it would display it proudly. LOL

Of course I don't mind being called a girl either.

[Deborajen]

Hasn't RLAG been around for awhile? I know I've seen it in the catalogs for at least a few years now, so somebody must like it and be buying it.

I don't find it offensive at all. I wouldn't want to be told I ride like a guy. But on the other hand, I wouldn't wear anything that says "Ride Like a Girl" or anything bright pink on a ride. I don't want to stand out from a distance as - "Woman . . . BY HERSELF!!" if I'm riding by myself or have gotten separated from the group.

I like the message. Girls can ride. Some girls are darn good at it. I'm not surprised some women like it and some don't care for it at all, but personally I'd only wear that kind of stuff for day-to-day off-the-bike.

Deb

[Bluetree]

Well, I certainly dont refer it as "punishment" as there is nothing punitive in my choice of shops. And yes, it IS a different perspective.

In my area I'm very fortunate to have about a dozen local bike shops from which to choose. Some are geared towards the bling-bling/race crowd and others are geared towards the more recreational riders... and it's easy for me to get an idea of which one according to the merchandise on the floor.

It's about perception, branding, marketing and name-recognition. If I walk in and see names like Assos, Sidi, Campagnolo, Cervelo, for instance, I get a good idea of the focus of the store. But with the limited floor space of most LBSs, if I see the womens section highlighted by an overload of pink (or RLAG stuff) my perception is that the store is not aiming at me as a customer.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that approach, and I can certainly understand why one segment of the womens population would like it (Terry's success is proof of that)...but it's not for me. I speak with my $$$ and I'd rather do my talking elsewhere.

[Bluetree]

Btw, I have no feelings one way or another about the slogan. I don't really need one to show people I'm "a girl"... Kinda obvious, you know!

Besides, it doesn't matter if you're wearing pink, riding a triple, have a ponytail, or dressed in a burlap bag... When you drop a guy, he knows darn well he's been dropped BY A GIRL!!!!

[SouthernBelle]

I do have the RLAG wool sweater that was in the catalogue last year. It is happily not pink. I got it to wear on really cold rides, but it so comfy I wear it more than that.

I don't care for Terry's pink RLAG line. I find it just too precious overall, not just the slogan.

[Jiffer]

I have some Ride Like a Girl merchandise. The picture that goes with the slogan is a girl having a blast riding her bike with her legs outstretched on either side. To me, it keeps the "fun" in cycling and, in a way, proclaiming to guys that YES I'm a girl and YES I'm a cyclist, but I can have fun with it, too.

To be honest, though, sometimes I do have mixed feelings because I DON'T want to be viewed as "less than a guy" or someone who is just goofing off with a bike instead of a serious cyclist, but I do think it's all in fun.

[shootingstar]

It never occurred to me that RLAG as a brand marketing phrase was insulting.

....BUT just last week, I commented to another woman at work, that where we work now, is the first time in many years, that men at our workplace refer to women as "girls". Not all guys, but enough. Other workplaces where I've been, less guys or hardly guys seem to use girls for "women" or ladies in the workplace.

Including my boss, who is senior manager. However ironically he has always treated me with respect, delegates management responsibities that is part of my job, has good supportive understanding of what I do.... everything one could want in a senior manager except for "girls" term. Ah well, things could a whole lot worse.

If I bought Terry apparel I probably wouldn't be wearing it at work anyway. ie. I don't wear T-shirts at work.

In all honesty, if others know you cycle alot and have for many years, to wear a LRAG item, would appear on you as a tongue in cheek statement or empowering..particularily if you know people already respect you for your long-term fitness decision.

I have 2-3 pink items...I even sewed a pink coral wrap dress that I work with black pumps and large black belt for a few years ..but always items in 1 solid colour and classic cut. I choose the colour because it can look well on those with black-hair.

[Zen]

I think I might give a pair of RLAG socks to a guy I know.

[jaydee]

Now well past my "girl" years, I would be quite chuffed to be told I ride like a girl. And working in boys' education, I know that there are so many things we "girls" do so much better than boys. If I am told I am doing anything like a girl, my response is that it is only one of many things I am doing at that particular point in time, unlike those of the opposite gender for whom multi-tasking is nigh on impossible.

Yay for girlpower!

[bounceswoosh]

It never occurred to me that RLAG as a brand marketing phrase was insulting.

....BUT just last week, I commented to another woman at work, that where we work now, is the first time in many years, that men at our workplace refer to women as "girls". Not all guys, but enough. Other workplaces where I've been, less guys or hardly guys seem to use girls for "women" or ladies in the workplace.

I don't understand why any man in a workplace would have legitimate occasion to refer to the women at the company as such. I don't say, "Here's my team lead <name>; as you can see, he's a guy." Nor would I expect him to say, "You should talk to Monique about this; she's a girl." Maybe I'm being obtuse. When would this even come up?

[Thorn]

Fascinating thread, RM. It made an interesting morning read.

If I look at it as when I was a girl, riding was all about fun, speed and daring, then I'm not offended by it--it says "capture the inner child, go out and have fun".

However, as a female in a very male dominated field, "girl" is one of those words that can rankle. Yes, bounces, clueless males will point out gender. And, yes, that rankles, too. It is the same as the news--they almost never point out "white", but they do point out minorities. Society is often too obsessed with differences, but, sadly, not in a "hey, cool we're different!", but in a "ooh, yuck, you're different". I keep pushing for the first--'cause, hey, cool, we're different!

[shootingstar]

I think part of the problem where I work is that quite a number of the women at work, on the job, refer to each other and other women as "girls".

This is why I made that comment at work to an employee who works in my dept. She does it all the time. I reminded her..she's a mother of 2 adult boys..and asked her does she think of herself as a "girl"? I let that one stew in her head.

On the other head would I wear a t-shirt or cycling jersey that overtly expressed women power.. I don't think I NEED to.

Not at my age. I do know something...

[spindizzy]

I want the shirt that says "run like a girl"

CC:

I want the shirt that says "Run like a Jamaican girl!"