Why a women's forum?

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm in a male dominated profession and prefer their company, for the most part. My girlfriends are the same--not what I'd call girly, girls. Why am I here? Because I'm afraid to post a question on the "other" bike forum, for fear of being made fun of. (Yes, apparently there are stupid questions)

I've also come to appreciate the unconditional support and everyone's sense of humor here.

I also believe women are inherently better teachers and more patient. I'm here to learn from others and offer a little of my own advice, if I can.

"1. I hadn't noticed until it was mentioned, but one reasons I've stuck around TE is because people use full sentences, actual words, and punctuation. I'm a fan of all of those things."

I was on AARP.com this morning (they have excellent investment advice) and an article was followed by a question posted in "text-speak?" Really?

[emily_in_nc]

I've found female cyclists to be among the most intelligent, sensitive people I know, and the sampling here has only reinforced that "stereotype".

[Cataboo]

I never really thought about the literacy aspect, but yeah, that has always been appealing about TE. And I've always been impressed by the amount of information you can get on anything, and the number of highly edcuated really smart women's cyclists there are on here.

It's also about talking to a group of women who will be supportive of even the smallest accomplishments that I know a group of men would disparage (oh, you biked 10 miles or changed your tire for the first time, big whoop)... It's about having the privacy to talk with "girlfriends" about what parts of you hurt, cause really... I'm not terribly comfortable with going into a bike shop and telling them my hoohaw hurts or got a boil, and what the heck do I do about it? I'm sure the poor bike shop guys would try to help, but I also don't ask the guys in the drug store what tampons or whatever to buy.

I know that men do get on here, and I know some of them get on to ask questions to try to help their gf's or get advice on what to do for their gf's or wives bikes... But I do find it creepy and voyeuristic when a guy hangs out here. I'm not going to tell them to leave, because it's a free country, but when you know that you're joining a forum that a large group of women have started and sought out so that they can have a female bike forum (because there are a lot of other bike forums), assuming that they want a guy around to read about their problems or whatever is a bit much... It's like the guy hanging out at the water cooler to eavesdrop when you're talking about girl stuff with a friend and trying to join in on the conversation uninvited.

I'm perfectly comfortable hanging out with men and do it a lot - and for years, I woulda said I prefer the company of males. But in the last few years, I've been making a lot more close friendships with females and it's been really nice.

[Espresso]

I'm not at all here because it's a women's forum. I'm here because in some forums you get polite, thoughtful conversation, while in others you get a bunch of rude or just plain unhelpful replies to pretty much anything you post. This is one of the former (and the only one I've come across so far for cycling), so I'm here

[pll]

I tend to come back to this forum not only because of the level of literacy (there is always something to read), but also because I enjoy the diversity: there are women of all ages, cyclists of all levels (from someone learning to ride to seriously competitive) and specific sub disciplines (cross, mountain bike, road cycling... to casual and everyday transportation).

I very much appreciate that general lack of aggression when one asks a question. I don't mind the occasional male point of view.

[Pax]

I come here because women's spaces are a pretty rare thing. A place where we can talk to other people who will see and most likely understand our point of view. And if they don't they will ask thoughtful questions to draw out more information... rather than telling me I'm stupid because they don't get it.

The internet is chock full of places where men gather and enjoy their own unique form of communication, I spend a LOT of time out there... I come here to regain that sense of peace that comes from a more familiar view of the world.

[Velocivixen]

I'm fairly new to cycling on a regular basis, and none of my real life friends or acquaintances ride bikes. I don't know other women who ride. So you're my virtual "friends".

[NbyNW]

I hang out here because you all are awesome.

And I think the forum moderators also do a great job, setting a tone for great discussions, good humor, and combatting spam.

[macski]

I agree with the general consensus that the forum is literate, supportive and encouraging and that's the main reason I enjoy it. I like following people's journeys as they get hooked by this wonderful passion of ours. And I appreciate the honesty and friendship between posters here.

I also frequent a number of other cycling forums that are 'mixed' but in reality very male dominated. There is an Australian one that I also quite enjoy but all of them are more aggressive and the posters are very quick to criticize. There is little tolerance of beginner questions or views and people are very opinionated. I visit them much less often.

[jessmarimba]

I was on AARP.com this morning (they have excellent investment advice) and an article was followed by a question posted in "text-speak?" Really?

I can't read stuff like that without expecting my head to explode - every time I see someone shorten "you" to "u" I read it as "uhh." I type gibberish with my younger sister but that's a sister thing.

I also work in a male-dominated field, both for my paycheck-job and my fun-job, and it seems that the likelihood of mass immaturity goes up the more guys you have in one place at a time. I think it's an acceptance or competition thing among them, or something, but I'll never get it.

I just know that conversation here never deteriorates to name-calling, sexual jokes, or overly aggressive competition, and I very much appreciate that.