Why a women's forum?

[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.

[Jen12]

Good topic!
I'm new to the forum and new to serious biking in general. While I just happened to find the forum without necessarily looking for a female-centered group, I'm quite pleased with the friendliness and lack of ego here. I've also noticed that cycling magazines are definitely male-centered. With the exception of a few ads, the last issue of Bicycling magazine featured only articles and photos centered on men. I think that says a lot about the need for a forum like this.

[Catrin]

I am here because all of you are awesome and so very supportive. When I started cycling 17 months ago I only knew one person who rode, and I really needed advice. It is great to be able to bring my little accomplishments, to (hopefully) say something that might help someone else, and just participate as I can. I am on a couple of other mixed forums, and they have their place, but they are nothing like TE!

[Miranda]

I love TE so much. If I had not found this web site I would not have survived some things to be a cyclists today.

Thinking back, I believe how I came across TE was through the SheBeest brand. A female staff at the lbs had told me about the brand. Of course the women's clothing at the shop was so limited I went searching the net. Then the TE web site came up.

I was so discouraged with my lbs experiences and lack of help. My too large bike caused me much pain and also in my womanhood. Trying to discuss this with the shop was a sad joke. After reading a bit on the forum I saw it really didn't what your issues were. People were here to help. So, I got brave enough to post for help.

The advice I have received here has been awesome. I don't ever make a cycling decision about something (gear, training, etc) without checking/searching this forum.

As far as BikeForums goes, I agree. When you post a question there normally it goes like this.... 1) first few responses "uh, use the search function dumb a**"... hmm, if no one ever discussed anything would you have material to search? If no discussions wouldn't your forum go stagnent and your advertisers leave etc.? dhrrrr, 2) one person half way answers of help, 3) next few posts people fight over the answer, and 4) wait... what were we chatting about... oh yea... lol. UGH!

As far as literacy goes... I still speak in text somewhat... only because I use it a lot for both work and personal matters... it's not all bad as long as you can still actually type a full sentance when you need to.

Thanks, TE.

[Mr. Bloom]

Since I am the primary source of controversy here, I'll weigh in a bit...again. I really appreciate that lph is posing this question in the positive sense of the discussion; that is, why are YOU here?

For me, the primary issue is safety...not in the physical sense though. Safety in that this is a well moderated forum where one isn't exposed to the nastiness that exists on others. While I've tried others, they lack the general sense of productive collaboration and commaraderie that you find here.

Second, I've made many friends here. As recently as yesterday, I rode with Indysteel and her husband. A couple weeks ago, I had a fun breakfast with Melavai and three generations of her family (including her father who proudly displayed his cycling jersey tan line). While I've riden with many of you, I consider many more of you to be "online friends". I frankly bristle at the characterization that my presence would be voyeuristic or unwholesome...there are many threads that I don't go to because I know I'll have nothing to offer

Third, the members of this group are generally well educated, intelligent, thought provoking, from many different backgrounds and with a broad diversity of perspectives to offer.

So, although I am male (and gender access has been a point of controversy ever since the supreme court ruled on the issue decades ago), and I have been attacked and called many names, I remain here because it is safe, generally friendly, and populated by intelligent members from multiple places and disciplines...in short, this is a good place.