Cycling non-sexism-maybe I hang out with different guys?

[shootingstar]

I have to say I rarely experience this on the bici. Plenty on the moto.

Part of it may be that my DH doesn't bicycle, so when I go into a shop, either I'm alone, or it's obvious to the workers that I'm the only cyclist in the couple.

In my areas, there are actually more women in the fast/competitive groups than there are in the more recreational groups I ride with. So I really don't know what it's like for those women. Then the very slow groups have a pretty even mix of women and men, and I kind of know where they are - they're likely to experience snottiness based on their pace much more than their sex.

On the appearance thing, I don't know. I was raised not to care about my appearance at. all., which may sound like a positive thing to some people, but think about having to teach yourself to bathe, groom and dress yourself as a teenager through young adult, and getting to middle age without really knowing how to take care of your skin and nails. I know it *is* harder for women - when I'd take the moto to court, I had to bring along a butane curling iron so I could lose the helmet hair in a public restroom that might not have electric outlets. Never heard of a man having to do that. Men talk about putting on their Aerostich suits over business suits... can't do that when the bottom of your suit is a skirt. As far as whether it's okay to be an athlete and care about your appearance... FloJo completely changed my thinking about that. I'll never say or think it again.

At least FloJo was not stopped from trying to be an athlete (of course, other things happened later, performance-enhancing drugs, etc.). And at least you did go to court with your dress on motorcycle, etc. (Have I got that right?). It didn't stop you. Guess the helmet hair thing that I mentioned, is more why some women won't even engage in a sport for something as minor as messed up hair.

But it is their choice. So yoga might be better. Less messier but a good form of exercise while one still looks "decent", not too messy, muddy, etc.

Methinks I just probaby have gradually developed an unconscious radar over past few decades just to avoid and eliminate trying to understand and be with guys in my personal life who have problematic attitudes. Can't say the same for certain guys in some workplaces. But life is short and I want to enjoy cycling. Yes, there have been occasional guy at LBS places who are patronizing, but it is a matter of holding one's ground, reading up enough in advance to ask good questions, etc.

Back to article link: As for women in leadership roles in the cycling world, in Vancouver there a small handful of women who have taken upon this in various roles for cycling advocacy, etc. I haven't heard all their stories, but one of them was a randonneur and long distance bike tourer (she was featured on the front cover of Momentum last year, an older face photoed with some younger folks) in addition to taking on lead role in cycling advocacy for many years. Via her, one can sense, that she had to deal with certain 'attitudes'. In both Toronto (and I'm referring to the time I lived there, don't know the situation now) and Vancouver, there are less women heavily involved in leading the charge on cycling advocacy. I have to say cycling advocacy does mean getting involved in lots of meetings on often, technical matters, politics, which to me, can be abit energy-sucking. I prefer the individual soft-pedalling of cycling advocacy: walk the talk so to speak, and share the fun/culture of cycling and rides.

Or writing about it. Though it's like talking to the wind. Who reads the stuff? But I like to ponder and share.