From a "woman's persepctive" . . .

[smilingcat]

Bwaaa-haaa-haaa

Re stereotypes about women, riders or not. I live in one of the countries lucky enough to be furthest on the road to full equality between the sexes. Still, I would like to be able to be good at wrenching my bike without guys being gobsmacked that I know how to change my own chain. I would like bike shop owners to assume that I know what I'm talking about without my having to wear full lycra, be muddy and assertive and talk about intricate details to "deserve their respect". I would like to tell people how much fun I had that morning chasing other commuters and catching up to them, without them viewing me like this super-aggressive racer who can't possibly ever relax and enjoy the ride. Basically I do things that male riders do all the time, and get a sort of "wow, she's an obsessive nutcase"-reaction from people. Which is sometimes cute, sometimes flattering, but mostly just annoying.

For that matter, I would like to come to work with messy hair or go to the pool without shaving my legs, and not be thought of as being butch or macho or stating some kind of point. Please folks, I'm just lazy every now and then.

Pardon the rant. This is small stuff, I know.

Just say Thank you very much and smile!! I think some men have lot of appreciation and lust for women who are capable.

We all march to our own drummer. so stop fretting about fitting in.
I've learned that when others are going boing---- boing---- boing---- I'm going bamBAM BAM!!! If they scowl at me then I just return Huh? what's up doc look.

[lph]

Just say Thank you very much and smile!! I think some men have lot of appreciation and lust for women who are capable.

We all march to our own drummer. so stop fretting about fitting in.

Heh, thanks smilingcat. I rarely fret about fitting in. I just do what I do. But every now and then it grates on me how very narrow a squeeze "fitting in" is.