I normally do not like swearing.
Let me clarify that statement a little bit. I normally do not like swearing in this form of media and especially on the blog site. For those who know me, know that I truly do enjoy swearing like a trucker and making sailors blush. But in this case, I have this to say:
Bullshit.
I bring up this topic because recently I overheard a conversation where a male and female were speaking with each other and I, being the nosey little bastard that I am, could hear every word spoken. In this conversation the gentleman was encouraging said lady to join their group rides when the snow finally melted away and the world turned to shades of green and brown. What irked me so much was the reaction by the female and her rejection to the offer was based on her belief that she, as a female, could not keep up with a group of men in a group ride.
While the little boy in my head puffed up his chest and began to walk around my cranial space like he owned the planet, the rational side of my mind walked up to kick him in the genitals.
As a society have we not progressed past this belief that women are unable to perform any task not put in front of them? I believe men happen to be the ones lacking and this would be due to pregnancy and breast feeding and I’m sure that science is just a short timeframe away from fixing that.
Yes, if you look at any major race event held where you directly compare COMPETITIVE male and female athletes in the same disciplines, the males do tend to be faster. But we’re not talking about in a competitive forum here. We’re talking about a group ride where I have had the joy many times to draft off the kind female ahead of me while I am wishing death upon my lungs and legs… for the record, she was holding pace just fine and was actually slowing down for my sorry self.
As for being competitive, while I may not have many good things to say about my ex-wife, I will give her all the credit in the world for her cycling abilities. She climbed hills like a Billy goat and left me in the dirt when an incline appeared ahead of us. Women are slower than men? Enlarge the picture below and notice the times and names on places 58 and 65.
Tour de Terra Cotta Results 2012 – Beginner 26km
While in the more elite categories of competitive cycling men are indeed faster than women, a group ride is always more enjoyable with more people to talk to, ride with and draft off of while the end goal is to get everyone home after having some fun. I think you’d be surprised how often the girl is at the front leading the pack.
This post makes me happy
Posted by womencyclists | February 13, 2013, 11:07 PMThe post made me happy as well… which is probably a good reason why I’ll never ride with you. Trailing far behind on a hill hurts my ego.
Posted by shampoosviews | February 16, 2013, 7:21 PMSo was this female cute? I can totally ride slow so she doesn’t feel inferior. So long as she’s cute.
Posted by Slow Rider | February 14, 2013, 2:07 AMJason, you can’t ride fast if you wanted to. Btw, your bike has to leave your apt for this to actually happen.
Posted by shampoosviews | February 14, 2013, 4:46 AMNot true. It’s a big apartment.
Posted by Slow Rider | February 14, 2013, 10:27 AMI ride with several different women in the summer months (but all alone in the winter). Under most circumstances I am faster than most of them on level ground and will smoke them on a good descent. However, most of them can drop me on a steep climb. Also, as a healthy male I’d much rather ride with women than men — and not just for aesthetic reasons. Any time I ride with another guy it turns into a race — even when we agree not to race before the ride begins.
Posted by All Seasons Cyclist | February 14, 2013, 2:29 AMThis is interesting – but over the years I have come to the conclusion that faster isn’t better. I have become a fan of the “slow cycling” school of urban exploration. Their seem to be more women that agree with this way of looking at things – ergo maybe “Women Ride Slower) – but that might be a good thing.
Posted by Bill Chance | February 16, 2013, 4:09 PMBill, I can’t disagree with your logic at all. It was more meant in a pace line type of format where I find that more often than not the ladies are right there beside me. But you’re right. All Seasons Cyclist hit on it in one of his comments, when it’s all about the guys every ride turns into a race and that’s not necessarily a good thing or what is needed/wanted every time
Posted by shampoosviews | February 16, 2013, 7:20 PM