Is it my imagination?

[LushGoddess]

I am a road rider, and have been loving it for over 10 years now. I am also a plus sized woman, carrying 190 on my 5'6" frame. I am strong, tackle hills with abandon, have the strength and stamina to ride centuries (not setting any records, but who cares?). I have been nosing about to join a riding club, but once they see me I get the cold shoulder. One gal came right out and said that they don't like having 'large' women ride with them, that it ruins their image! If I am doomed to ride by myself or with just my hubby and our riding buddy so be it...but why is there such size discrimination going on out there? I could understand it if I was sloppy and unable to keep up....but that is not the case. Am I alone in this?

[Trixiee]

Man, that women ought to be tarred and feathered! How narrow-minded. I too, am a larger woman, 5' 3", and 155 lbs. I'm going to try my first duathlon this year! As with you, I'm not out to set any records, basically, will be very happy just to finish! I say, join the club anyhow!

[han-grrl]

Hello Ladies

i can't believe that someone in a riding club would make that kind of comment. I have several "larger" women friends, and you know what...they are in amazing shape. They can kick the butts of many skinny bony types.

Han

[TriGirl]

Sometimes it seems like we can get hurt so easily. Just let it roll off your shoulders, your a good person not to have punched her out, she was nasty. I am new to riding a 2nd year, and found it hard to find anyone to ride with in my first year. I hope this spring will be different. It can be difficult finding the right group to ride with. Be happy you have at least some partners.....and stay positive and up and they will all be calling you to hit the rode with them, once they know you!!!

[marys]

I just want to encourage you to keep looking. That woman with the bad attitude does NOT represent most bike clubs. I was at my local shop last week, discussing my own return after a layoff of 9 years. The extremely fit male who happened to be working at the time invited me to ride with the group. When I pointed out how out of shape I was, he kept on, saying that there are certain points along the usual routes where the fast riders wait for the slower (slowest, in my case) ones.

So, for every idiot out there, I think there are probably 10 times as many supportive cyclists willing to share their expertise and fellowship. Keep looking for another group, and good luck.

[Sammy]

I'm appaulled at the way you were treated by fellow riders. I too am new to Club rides. I have seen plenty of plus size women in our club. Cyclists are cyclists, forget about that one in particular. There's no accounting for taste. I'm sorry to say that not all like minded people have class. Join a club and ride like the wind.

[roadie gal]

I'm appalled at that woman. You don't have to be emaciated looking to be fit. Please ignore her and continue to look for a club. Most people are not that ignorant.

[LushGoddess]

I appreciate your thoughts!

[dana]

Some people are so shallow, press on and do your own thing. You go girl!

[Roxy]

Skinny does not equal fit!

And we're here to prove it, girlfriend!!

[MountainGirl]

Sorry this is a little late but some good support is NEVER too late!! I agree with all of you that skinny does not equal fit. I am also a bigger rider, I'm over 5'9 and at about 190, I carry a lot of muscle weight. But, that's what powers me up those hills. I ride with a group of guys (and usually riding right up front.) Sometimes they bring their girlfriends to join us - thinking because they look thin and fit they can keep up. HA

I do have some advice...maybe that particular club with that narrowed-minded woman (which you know most of us would kick her a...) isn't the right one for you. Pick a club where you feel good about yourself, comfortable and accepted. If you don't find a club, start your own!!

I would be happy to ride with you anyday.

Cheers and happy riding!!

____________________________________________

"Ride hard or stay in the car." SK

[LushGoddess]

I found a group that favors those of us who tend to get passed over by some of the elitist groups in my area. They welcome with open arms newbies, seniors, families...and plus sized men and women. We do casual, friendly rides a few evenings a week, and I still ride with my hubby and our buddy on weekends. Yea, it is good to live life to it's fullest in the grand skin I was given by my Goddess. Life is too short to fixate on looks and elitism.

[debict]

I hope you don't mind this late posting. I'm 5'5" and 187 (I've lost 30 lbs in the last 6 months that I've been riding) so I'm right in there too. I too have joined a club with many seniors and all sizes. There are some younger folks as well and they have all types of rides. My husband and I joined together and we have a wonderful time. I love my bike and I love doing something healthy. I'm not dieting, but eating healthy and riding as often as I can. My body will decide what my final weight will be.

I'm so glad that you found a good club. Good luck and good riding.

[love2bike2]

I can't believe some people can be so shallow. I am 5'4", 187 lbs., and I ride with friends. We are all different shapes and sizes and we average 30-50 mile bike rides 3 x's per week. We are able to keep an average of 18-20 miles per hour. I am by far the "biggest" woman in the group, but have never received any negative comments about my size. When it comes to riding, you should be with people that appreciate the ride, and mostly appreciate you. It is not about looks or size, but about having fun. Shame to that woman that gave you a hard time!

[pennys]

I had an experince riding the other day that made me wonder why some women are such B*****S. I showed up for a group/club mb ride, I was the only new person. There were three women and a bunch of guys. Two of the women were so unfriendly that I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong with me... avoiding eye contact, not talking to me, truning thier backs to me and so on. The third gal was the group leader for the group I was riding in, and she was great, but I was in her group for only the second half of the ride. I'm a strong person and I don't take these things personally, but you gotta wonder.

The only thing I could figure out is that maybe as a new person, I was seen as potential competition for the men????? My ring was under my glove.



penny