Wow. I'm puzzled.

[SadieKate]

"MP, Jr.!" Hee hee!!!

PetitePois!

There are so many male-only opportunities it makes my head spin. Wasn't the history of the Cinderella that the men started it as payback for all the support from the women at all the other rides?

Title 9 - The girls' HS tennis team had to use used balls from the boys team. We only got new balls for matches, not for practice. The boys teams for all sports had priority use of the school van. In 1977, my college tennis team got its first shoe sponsor while the men, of course, had had one for years.

[SadieKate]

Susan, thanks for relating your letter. I may lift portions of it for my response. Hope that is OK.

I just have to post my own response so I can sleep tonight. I'm rather curious at the few men who have posted support, but then we know they are the cream of the crop. I'm wondering what the silent ones are thinking.

[Trek420]

SadieKate "I'm wondering what the silent ones are thinking."

probably something like (picture biker guy with thought bubble here)

"ok,so if I come out in support of the women the guys'll tease me. But on the other hand the gals will dig it. Hmmm, ribbing from the guys vs. chicks digging me....hmmmm"

But seriously I don't think of the Cindy as an easy century anymore, and it sounds like they think "womens ride = easy". I mean it's not my training goal of the year, more of an early season dust the cobwebs off thang, see where I am kinda thing. You gals know I'm not fast or good at climbing but I suppose I'm no newbie anymore. I don't get a real idea of where I am with a group of men riders. Sure they pass me, they all will. But with a group of gals I can see like last year, big improvement, could tell I was being "spit out the back of the fast pack" as opposed to just finishing, and felt good. This year, well showing up was good enough for me, I did not time it.

[Tater]

Wow. I too, was shocked at some of the posts on bj. It makes me sad just to read them. (As well as pi$$ed!) I don't see many female bikers in my neck of the woods, I don't see many female runners either, for that matter. I wish I did. So when I see an all female event, I am all for it. As for an all male event, meh, go ahead. But in that respect. I also agree with SadieKate, in that there are so many male-only oportunities, it isn't even funny.

[SadieKate]

Whew. I posted. Really long but I needed to get it off my chest. Someone needs to get TsPoet over here, or is she under another name? TsPoet, you lurking?

I give CrazyMike credit for re-thunking his comments.

[bikerz]

Hey SK - what a thoughtful and heartfelt post on BJ - nicely said.

[SadieKate]

Thank you, BZ. That means a lot to me.

[SadieKate]

Hey, yellow and PZip. The guy in the middle of the picture in the yellow helmet is Guide Scott, soon to be met in person.

[pkq]

Having worked with men for 17 years, many resent the strides women have made. Sex discrimination knows no age boundaries either so young and old resent strides of women. Makes me glad I am single.

[snapdragen]

Makes me glad I am single.

Amen sister!