What’s stopping women cycling?

[BoldonLad]

Change a car tyre? dont you have to have a special machine to get it off the rim? Do you mean change a wheel?
No I've never seen a woman change a car wheel outside. I have seen them on their mobiles when the car has broken down.
Theres absolutely no chance any of the women I know would change a car wheel, not a hope in hell.

I have four daughters, three of whom drive.

When each of them passed their driving test, and acquired a car, I showed them:

- how to put fuel in
- how to check oil level
- how to top up oil
- how to check water level in radiator and screen wash
- how to top up water in radiator and screen was
- how to change a wheel

One of them was particularly keen, and asked to be shown how to change a bulb, which I did.

I am pleased to say they are all capable and self reliant women, but, I suspect, they often delegate some of the tasks to their partners.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

I thought a lot of new cars didn't have a spare wheel, so it would be a pointless exercise trying to change something that isn't there, I imagine this isn't a very constructive post.

Why would you not want a reliable way to get home if you get a flat? That is just ridiculous! What if you are out in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception to call a tow?

On a related note: My car is 7 years old and I do not consider that an 'older' car. Apparently car makers think that people who want brand new are inept and unable/have no desire to take care of themselves in a roadside emergency?

 

[mjr]

Why would you not want a reliable way to get home if you get a flat? That is just ridiculous! What if you are out in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception to call a tow?

You walk to somewhere with signal. We used to have to walk to somewhere with a phone...

On a related note: My car is 7 years old and I do not consider that an 'older' car. Apparently car makers think that people who want brand new are inept and unable/have no desire to take care of themselves in a roadside emergency?

No, they just want you to buy their partner breakdown service so they keep getting some of your money.

 

[Maenchi]

Just to ask has anyone on here ever seen a woman fixing her bike on the pavement like mending a puncture etc. I can honestly say that I have never seen one ever.

yes.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

You walk to somewhere with signal. We used to have to walk to somewhere with a phone...

...or you learn to use a jack and a lug wrench so you don't have to rely on someone bailing you out for something simple. When I go down to visit my family south of here you can drive for 20 minutes before you get reception, that would be a long walk (especially in snow or rain, or with a small child.) And you do not stop to ask someone for a hand or to use their phone, some of the farm folk down there would shoot you for even stepping on their property and then ask questions later.

 

[mjr]

...or you learn to use a jack and a lug wrench so you don't have to rely on someone bailing you out for something simple

Well yes, if it's just a wheel change, but I can think of stuff you ain't going to fix.

When I go down to visit my family south of here you can drive for 20 minutes before you get reception, that would be a long walk (especially in snow or rain, or with a small child.) And you do not stop to ask someone for a hand or to use their phone, some of the farm folk down there would shoot you for even stepping on their property and then ask questions later.

The USA, making the fens seem positively refined!

 

[Cuchilo]

...or you learn to use a jack and a lug wrench so you don't have to rely on someone bailing you out for something simple When I go down to visit my family south of here you can drive for 20 minutes before you get reception, that would be a long walk (especially in snow or rain, or with a small child.) And you do not stop to ask someone for a hand or to use their phone, some of the farm folk down there would shoot you for even stepping on their property and then ask questions later.

Darn hillbillys !

 

[Slick]

Darn hillbillys !

Is this what were about?

 

[ADarkDraconis]

Well yes, if it's just a wheel change, but I can think of stuff you ain't going to fix.


The USA, making the fens seem positively refined!

Hence the "something simple" bit. There is not much I won't fix unless it's computerized, but you are right in that it is not all necessarily by the side of the road. However, I would rather not drag/carry a small child through the snow for an hour to call and be told it is a two-hour wait time for a tow truck when it is a *simple* solution to fix. It also teaches said small child the value in being able to do things for yourself (which not many people bother with these days), and you can be surprised at what you can do with a basic toolkit!. Do you pay someone to fix your flat bike tire for you?

Also it greatly depends on the part of the USA.

 

[Slick]

Hence the "something simple" bit. There is not much I won't fix unless it's computerized, but you are right in that it is not all necessarily by the side of the road. However, I would rather not drag/carry a small child through the snow for an hour to call and be told it is a two-hour wait time for a tow truck when it is a *simple* solution to fix. It also teaches said small child the value in being able to do things for yourself (which not many people bother with these days), and you can be surprised at what you can do with a basic toolkit!. Do you pay someone to fix your flat bike tire for you?

Also it greatly depends on the part of the USA.

Last time I was over there, the news was full of a story about a guy who drew up in a layby to fix a flat and was shot. Not sure of the details but it was somewhere near Mertle beach Florida.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

Last time I was over there, the news was full of a story about a guy who drew up in a layby to fix a flat and was shot. Not sure of the details but it was somewhere near Mertle beach Florida.

Doesn't surprise me, people these days are crazy! And just because I am fussy even though I know probably no one cares Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina (about an 11 hour car drive south from me) and Florida is another state entirely about 3 or so hours south of that.

 

[Slick]

Doesn't surprise me, people these days are crazy! And just because I am fussy even though I know probably no one cares Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina (about an 11 hour car drive south from me) and Florida is another state entirely about 3 or so hours south of that.

My sister lives in Jacksonville but we met at Myrtle beach for a large family holiday. We flew into Orlando and drove probably a couple of hours south.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/romantic-getaways-myrtle-beach-florida-62908.html

 

[derrick]

Well yes, if it's just a wheel change, but I can think of stuff you ain't going to fix.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

My sister lives in Jacksonville but we met at Myrtle beach for a large family holiday. We flew into Orlando and drove probably a couple of hours south.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/romantic-getaways-myrtle-beach-florida-62908.html

The site's title says Florida, but the site descriptions, article, and weather say South Carolina That's the internet for ya, lol! You probably drove north, as Florida is the southernmost state on that coast and past that you end up in Mexico or the ocean. We are getting a little off topic, but see how easy it is to get lost if you don't know the area and potentially get shot by hillbillies? That's what stops people cycling, haha!

 

[Slick]

The site's title says Florida, but the site descriptions, article, and weather say South Carolina That's the internet for ya, lol! You probably drove north, as Florida is the southernmost state on that coast and past that you end up in Mexico or the ocean. We are getting a little off topic, but see how easy it is to get lost if you don't know the area and potentially get shot by hillbillies? That's what stops people cycling, haha!

Good point.