It takes all kinds to make up a sport. Some days I get my tail kicked and some days I come out of the woods so far ahead I wonder if I missed a turn. On the days I am riding with the "Mr. Testosterone" type..I play up the 'I am just a little girl image' until I have a good feel for who's tail I can leave in the dust.... then I do some dusting. The key is to come up all the hills faster than they can, I don't care who can descend faster, but out climbing them is sooo hard on their delicate egos! The guys who cheer and congradulate you for a nice climb as you go by...those are the ones I like to go back out with again, they respect you for your skill and don't care if your a girl or a guy.--Karen