Biking with Men --- Mad never again

[owlice]

This week is bike to work week. So at my job the bike commuter club I am in had a bike at lunch program to get more people involved. As always I am the only female in the group. I have taken classes with the same instructor and have rode with him before. This time was the worse ride ever, we rode the same route as in the past. I had to stop several times, and at one point I didnt go with the men, I turned around. So he of course came back to me and helped with my gears and going up hills, it was awful. Anyway once the ride ended, he said I was planning on going hard on you today, but I guess i pushed it. I was so mad at him. Push me for what? I told him I will never ride with them again, they are way to fast.

Kind of Mad...
Rina

What is wrong with riding the same route? I don't understand why that is a bad thing. I would think that for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience, riding a familiar route would be good: you know what to expect, know where any trouble spots are, and can adjust accordingly.

Also, why did you have to stop several times?

I'm with others: this doesn't sound like a gender issue. It seems there were different expectations as to what this lunchtime ride was for. Sounds as though the others were treating it as a fitness ride, that it wasn't -- or they weren't treating it as -- a "learn how to commute" ride.

[Irulan]

Sounds like communication problems!!

[Rina]

What is wrong with riding the same route? I don't understand why that is a bad thing. I would think that for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience, riding a familiar route would be good: you know what to expect, know where any trouble spots are, and can adjust accordingly.

Also, why did you have to stop several times?

I'm with others: this doesn't sound like a gender issue. It seems there were different expectations as to what this lunchtime ride was for. Sounds as though the others were treating it as a fitness ride, that it wasn't -- or they weren't treating it as -- a "learn how to commute" ride.

I didnt mind riding the same route, i just felt the ride was for commuting not for racing.

[Irulan]

Why not have the discussion with the ride leader/instructor: Is this a fitness ride? A training ride? A recreational ride? Some clarity on what the ride is for (I'm confused) might help pinpoint where the issues are.

[hebe]

Why not have the discussion with the ride leader/instructor: Is this a fitness ride? A training ride? A recreational ride? Some clarity on what the ride is for (I'm confused) might help pinpoint where the issues are.

+1. Unless you have other local led rides that are as convenient, I'd be inclined to sit down with the leader and have a constructive discussion on how it didn't meet your needs, and how it might be improved. He might even welcome the feedback. If not, you haven't lost much and at least you tried.

[Dogmama]

Why not have the discussion with the ride leader/instructor: Is this a fitness ride? A training ride? A recreational ride? Some clarity on what the ride is for (I'm confused) might help pinpoint where the issues are.

Precisely. Some clubs wait, others don't. That needs to be clarified in advance, if you don't feel comfortable riding by yourself.

I was on a ride with a friend who was dropped along the route. When we met up she was really angry & thought somebody should have dropped back & stayed with her. We had no idea.