The Discovery Rides seem like a really good idea. If you include other elements into a ride, it doesn't seem such a slog.
Frequent stops and a slower pace are also excellent ideas.
Karen's article is right on the money, but will local groups digest the content in a positive way?
Something needs doing urgently, or we will indeed lose the local groups for ever.
Female Cyclists
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Mossy
Re:Female Cyclists
My wife is fairly fit , but not cycling fit. She feels intimidated by the distances local groups ride and would not feel comfortable being (possibly), the slowest rider.
If there were frequent stops to look at points of interest, and the focus of the ride wasn't speed or distance, she may not be so reluctant to participate.
At present she is convinced that there is some kudos in travelling far and fast, almost like a badge of honour.
She maybe wrong, but that is her perception. It is the perceived elitism that needs to be overcome if this problem is to be defeated.
If there were frequent stops to look at points of interest, and the focus of the ride wasn't speed or distance, she may not be so reluctant to participate.
At present she is convinced that there is some kudos in travelling far and fast, almost like a badge of honour.
She maybe wrong, but that is her perception. It is the perceived elitism that needs to be overcome if this problem is to be defeated.
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gav
Re:Female Cyclists
In Edinburgh there is the “Try cycling in Edinburgh” initiative. I helped at some of the festivals and there were always a lot of people asking about cycling.
www.trycyclinginedinburgh.org.uk/
www.trycyclinginedinburgh.org.uk/
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Gillie
Re:Female Cyclists
As a female cyclist, I would love to cycle with a group. However, I wouldn't feel comfortable with a group of hardened cyclists intent on riding distances that suited them and only them. So here is one possible recruit you will lose unless things change.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
I just don't like cycling with groups.
That is not what CTC has ever held for me.
That is not what CTC has ever held for me.
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Gillie
Re:Female Cyclists
That's not at all helpful gar.
This thread was initially for people to express their views abouit why females don't cycle with groups. So far, we have had helpful replies and we seem to be getting somewhere.
Your remarks are anything but informed, and detract from what is a serious subject.
I would love to cycle socially with a group of like minded people, not just females, but the current set-up seems to cater for mile-eaters.
I love to stop and take in the views etc., and sharing the experience is important to me.
The fact that you don't like cycling with groups negates any opinions you have on the subject as a non participant and as someone who wishes to remain a non participant.
This thread was initially for people to express their views abouit why females don't cycle with groups. So far, we have had helpful replies and we seem to be getting somewhere.
Your remarks are anything but informed, and detract from what is a serious subject.
I would love to cycle socially with a group of like minded people, not just females, but the current set-up seems to cater for mile-eaters.
I love to stop and take in the views etc., and sharing the experience is important to me.
The fact that you don't like cycling with groups negates any opinions you have on the subject as a non participant and as someone who wishes to remain a non participant.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
I would say rather, that it negates the subject and not the opinions I hold on it, such as they are.
Even so I wrote what I did with the thought that
perhaps most women share that disinterest in clubby sport, especially where machinery and precision engineering is concerned.
I have seen a group of women racing cyclists in the southampton area, who were exclusively
F and not M, probably a triathlete group of some sort.
Asking Women to mix with men cyclists for weekly outings is a bit like asking TJ to go regularly to Aerobics or Step classes, or having a session of mixed rugby.
I think Triathletics does wonders for the image
of the woman cyclist and if she is going to concentrate her attentions anywhere, it should be with that discipline..... exclusively feminine
and thoroughly sportswomanly.
Leander Cove is a cycling phenomenon! I am a big fan of hers and watch her work whenever I can, and all those other fanatastic cycling sportswomen
I wouldn't feel comfortable with a group of hardened cyclists intent on riding distances that suited them and only them.
With respect this is a comment about men's cycling and not about cycling as such, otherwise Gillie would have mentioned triathlon herself!
Even so I wrote what I did with the thought that
perhaps most women share that disinterest in clubby sport, especially where machinery and precision engineering is concerned.
I have seen a group of women racing cyclists in the southampton area, who were exclusively
F and not M, probably a triathlete group of some sort.
Asking Women to mix with men cyclists for weekly outings is a bit like asking TJ to go regularly to Aerobics or Step classes, or having a session of mixed rugby.
I think Triathletics does wonders for the image
of the woman cyclist and if she is going to concentrate her attentions anywhere, it should be with that discipline..... exclusively feminine
and thoroughly sportswomanly.
Leander Cove is a cycling phenomenon! I am a big fan of hers and watch her work whenever I can, and all those other fanatastic cycling sportswomen
I wouldn't feel comfortable with a group of hardened cyclists intent on riding distances that suited them and only them.
With respect this is a comment about men's cycling and not about cycling as such, otherwise Gillie would have mentioned triathlon herself!
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Gillie
Re:Female Cyclists
On the contrary gar, I mean any cyclist group, male, female or mixed, that are only interested in the destination of the ride, and how far it is. Distance and speed for the sake of it, is not the reason I want to cycle with a group/club, it's the shared experience and the feeling of safety in numbers.
Frankly, I find your remarks insulting.I will do whatever I like with regards to my free time, and triathlon doesn't interest me at all.
I don't think of the type of riding I am interested in as sport. It is a pastime, or would be if I could find a club that will accommodate me.
Frankly, I find your remarks insulting.I will do whatever I like with regards to my free time, and triathlon doesn't interest me at all.
I don't think of the type of riding I am interested in as sport. It is a pastime, or would be if I could find a club that will accommodate me.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
Frankly, I find your remarks insulting.
I only replied out of politeness so I will not say another word.
I only replied out of politeness so I will not say another word.
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bikerdave
Re:Female Cyclists
Gillie
Have you thought about an organized cycling holiday? CTC and plenty of companies run them here and abroad and they're a good way to meet like minded cyclists with a range of experience and ability as well as fun in there own right.
I'm lucky to have good riding friends here but recently went to america alone and had a fantastic time, i'lll be riding with some of them again in the new year and i'd do it again alone without hesitation probably in 2006.
dave
Have you thought about an organized cycling holiday? CTC and plenty of companies run them here and abroad and they're a good way to meet like minded cyclists with a range of experience and ability as well as fun in there own right.
I'm lucky to have good riding friends here but recently went to america alone and had a fantastic time, i'lll be riding with some of them again in the new year and i'd do it again alone without hesitation probably in 2006.
dave
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HumesC
Re:Female Cyclists
Hi everyone. I'm a female rider, and a beginner, and can echo what has been said about the intimidating nature of competitive, mileage-high riding.
When I first started to ride I was crippled for days after just 7 miles, something that seems incredible to me now when I look back, just 3 months later, so imagine how I will feel in a year!
I think the nature of riding style needs to be looked at too - as several people have said, it's not the getting there, but the journey that they enjoy - stopping to look at views, frequent rest breaks... it's starting to sound like a requirement for a beginner's touring club.
As for myself, I enjoy a combination of the two now - the mileage is important, but mostly the time taken to do it is not, unless I'm on a night-ride and it's freezing! During the Summer I will mooch along in a most un-sportswoman-like way, stopping to have a drink every few minutes and not generally going above 10mph.
When I first started to ride I was crippled for days after just 7 miles, something that seems incredible to me now when I look back, just 3 months later, so imagine how I will feel in a year!
I think the nature of riding style needs to be looked at too - as several people have said, it's not the getting there, but the journey that they enjoy - stopping to look at views, frequent rest breaks... it's starting to sound like a requirement for a beginner's touring club.
As for myself, I enjoy a combination of the two now - the mileage is important, but mostly the time taken to do it is not, unless I'm on a night-ride and it's freezing! During the Summer I will mooch along in a most un-sportswoman-like way, stopping to have a drink every few minutes and not generally going above 10mph.
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nella
Re:Female Cyclists
ELITISM--Now there's a word I didn't think I'd see mentioned on a CTC site. I thought that went out with the "National Cyclists's Union".
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Mossy
Re:Female Cyclists
My other half has decided that the only way forward for her is to advertise locally with the hope of setting up a social meet for like-minded ladies.
The CTC only caters for experienced cyclists it seems.
The CTC only caters for experienced cyclists it seems.
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HumesC
Re:Female Cyclists
Mossy, I do think that's probably the best bet and something that I have decided to do too, though I'm doing it through the forum here and through my own website.
Might do it through the village's community website too.
I'm having thoughts at the moment about safety and sensible (neutral) places to meet, and policy about male riders either wanting to join in, or complaining if they're not allowed.
I'm also going to look at the CTC's Group Toolkit to see if there is useful guidance there.
I would be very interested in hearing how your Missus does - good luck.
Cath
Might do it through the village's community website too.
I'm having thoughts at the moment about safety and sensible (neutral) places to meet, and policy about male riders either wanting to join in, or complaining if they're not allowed.
I'm also going to look at the CTC's Group Toolkit to see if there is useful guidance there.
I would be very interested in hearing how your Missus does - good luck.
Cath
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Karen Sutton
Re:Female Cyclists
Cath,
Please be careful if using the group toolkit. The documentation etc. provided in this is for CTC Registered groups and sections.
If you start a group you will be obliged to cover yourself with Organiser's insurance.
This isn't the same as the Third Party Liability Insurance you get with your CTC membership.
This is too involved to go into on this message board. I just wanted you to be aware that starting your own group and going for rides is not a simple as it might seem. There's a lot of "red tape" involved today.
Please be careful if using the group toolkit. The documentation etc. provided in this is for CTC Registered groups and sections.
If you start a group you will be obliged to cover yourself with Organiser's insurance.
This isn't the same as the Third Party Liability Insurance you get with your CTC membership.
This is too involved to go into on this message board. I just wanted you to be aware that starting your own group and going for rides is not a simple as it might seem. There's a lot of "red tape" involved today.