purplepolly
New Member
- Location
- my house
Wheeledweenie said:
I can understand that but I think it actually makes things easier when asking for help
Women on cycling, give me your views....
- Thread starter Wheeledweenie
- Start date
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I can understand that but I think it actually makes things easier when asking for help
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Each person is different and there are the Auntie Helen's of this world who do massive mileages to the opposite extreme.
I seem to be stuck trying to find the time and company do longer rides - don't want to do it on my own. But set a goal (a realistic one) and go for it. I'm aiming for 3000 miles this year which was going fine until the summer holidays struck, but hopefully when they go back to school and me back to work I will try and catch up.
On the technical side - you gradually by osmosis pick up little bits - but I'm never going to be a really techy person - I've got the wrong type of mind - give me a map anyday instead.
I seem to be stuck trying to find the time and company do longer rides - don't want to do it on my own. But set a goal (a realistic one) and go for it. I'm aiming for 3000 miles this year which was going fine until the summer holidays struck, but hopefully when they go back to school and me back to work I will try and catch up.
On the technical side - you gradually by osmosis pick up little bits - but I'm never going to be a really techy person - I've got the wrong type of mind - give me a map anyday instead.
OP
OP
Wheeledweenie
Über Member
- Location
- Hanwell, west London
Alright ladies, I'm off home (no internet at home). Thanks for all your comments, feel free to keep posting with suggestions etc and I'll let you know if and when anything happens!
ladyrider100
Active Member
- Location
- Narnia most of the time
At the mo I am only doing about 60 miles a week on my commute. Sometimes think of going somehwere on a saturday as OH is in bed (works nights) but where would I go on my own type of thing
OMG I am deffo sounding like a real saddo now hehehe
OMG I am deffo sounding like a real saddo now hehehe
Auntie Helen
Ich bin Powerfrau!
- Location
- 47906 Kempen, Germany
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
product reviews
features
peer support
...thing is, the products may well not be specific to my type of bike (a trike), but I find it interesting keeping up to date with what's going on with my chums' bikes. The other aspects are also important, but less so for me.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
...it's become a challenge to do my 12,000 miles on the bike this year (I'm almost on track) and sort-of feeds itself as I now eat masses of food per day and if I reduced my cycle mileage I'd undoubtedly balloon in weight.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
My local bike shop and the trike distributor
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
About the same
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Nope
News
product reviews
features
peer support
...thing is, the products may well not be specific to my type of bike (a trike), but I find it interesting keeping up to date with what's going on with my chums' bikes. The other aspects are also important, but less so for me.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
...it's become a challenge to do my 12,000 miles on the bike this year (I'm almost on track) and sort-of feeds itself as I now eat masses of food per day and if I reduced my cycle mileage I'd undoubtedly balloon in weight.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
My local bike shop and the trike distributor
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
About the same
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Nope
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Hmm its my turn to surrender the computer the the other half (for a start he needs to fix it - caused by me upgrading something this morning). See I'm not technical with computers either. However I'm more knowledgeable than him about cycling in general even if he beats me on speed and mechanical side of cycling.
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
Yes. Although I'm beginning to doubt the existence of clothes like that...
And I'm picky on top of it all (regarding fabrics & ethical production, more than fashion).
And I'm picky on top of it all (regarding fabrics & ethical production, more than fashion).
ttcycle
Cycling Excusiast
Sorry to miss you WheeledWeenie!
Good luck with the website - for me I have the need for speed and do like that competitive element in racing and love cycling for leisure and commuting- bit of an obsession having accumulated four bikes. Was a slow convert to lycra but easily one of those that will sit in lycra in the pub so suppose transferrable clothes isn't necessary for me- though have been known to wear shorts and jeans on top of padded shorts.
I like the option of leisure rides but for me I would also be interested in training rides, long distance rides (in fact trying to set one up right now) and racing -suppose I'm not overly concerned about male dominated environments and wouldn't necessarily need a women's specific website myself however, I reckon it would appeal to many...in fact many on CC probably make the assumption I am a middle aged man...how very wrong!
1. What do you rate most highly:
3.News
2.product reviews
4.features
1.peer support
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Everything - get resentful when I have to get places by other means! Also for competitive reasons and convenience I suppose. You could say I've got the bug!
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
LBS and muddled along- cyclechat was great
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes, probably - lots of commuters in general though - bit thin on the ground competition wise still.
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Vaguely see that there is a larger range but not often to my taste as I've mentioned before a preponderence of ridiculous pastel colours and pink. The other extreme of topshop style ranges seem to then not necessarily have the technical elements and seem to be too fashion orientated.
Best of luck!
Good luck with the website - for me I have the need for speed and do like that competitive element in racing and love cycling for leisure and commuting- bit of an obsession having accumulated four bikes. Was a slow convert to lycra but easily one of those that will sit in lycra in the pub so suppose transferrable clothes isn't necessary for me- though have been known to wear shorts and jeans on top of padded shorts.
I like the option of leisure rides but for me I would also be interested in training rides, long distance rides (in fact trying to set one up right now) and racing -suppose I'm not overly concerned about male dominated environments and wouldn't necessarily need a women's specific website myself however, I reckon it would appeal to many...in fact many on CC probably make the assumption I am a middle aged man...how very wrong!
1. What do you rate most highly:
3.News
2.product reviews
4.features
1.peer support
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Everything - get resentful when I have to get places by other means! Also for competitive reasons and convenience I suppose. You could say I've got the bug!
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
LBS and muddled along- cyclechat was great
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes, probably - lots of commuters in general though - bit thin on the ground competition wise still.
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Vaguely see that there is a larger range but not often to my taste as I've mentioned before a preponderence of ridiculous pastel colours and pink. The other extreme of topshop style ranges seem to then not necessarily have the technical elements and seem to be too fashion orientated.
Best of luck!
Corvette chic
Guest
- Location
- Accrington
Sorry I've just got in from my ride today (24 miles a bit ambitious but that's another story)
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
peer support
2. Why do you cycle:
Leisure
Keeping fit/getting weight off
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Well I've cycled on and off for about 40 years but as I've just started after a gap of about 15 years I'm still a newbie really I've only been seriously cycling this last month. I've just bought a new bike and I got a lot of information off sites like this and my LBS also my husband's a cyclist so he helped
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
No idea
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Yes but they're no good for me too small most of the stuff maybe next year
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
peer support
2. Why do you cycle:
Leisure
Keeping fit/getting weight off
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Well I've cycled on and off for about 40 years but as I've just started after a gap of about 15 years I'm still a newbie really I've only been seriously cycling this last month. I've just bought a new bike and I got a lot of information off sites like this and my LBS also my husband's a cyclist so he helped
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
No idea
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Yes but they're no good for me too small most of the stuff maybe next year
Cathryn
Squire
- Location
- Marlborough, Wiltshire
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
product reviews
features
peer support
I think peer support is really important but also product reviews. Esp when starting out you can spend SO much money that product reviews by other people are really invaluable. Like a tripadvisor for bike bits. Having said that, creating some kind of community where you can get support would be fab. Some women are very nervous of forums like this but might feel more confident on a women's site.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Just for joy really. Like the fact it gets me fit but more for pleasure.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Cyclechat and its predecessor, what's now Bike Radar.
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes I do. Which is great.
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Kind of. I'm not really in the market for much gear at the moment. I do think cycling clothes are generally ugly and think there's loads of scope for better stuff. I like pink but I don't want to wear it from head to toe, and it's a very specific pink that I like too, not baby pink but not lurid pink. Some decent clothes not in pastel would be wonderful.
Other bits and bobs from me...
Minxgirl is awesome, I LOVE it. For me it's the kind of place I want to buy cycling gear from and it has a really nice atmosphere. Unfortunately I can only afford their sales though.
Also...and very specifically here I'm afraid...there's NOTHING in the UK for women cycling who are pregant. No kit, no real advice from cyclists, no support structure. That's a real gap in the market.
Also....of all the cycling disciplines, it strikes me that touring is the most popular amongst women.
That's me done...sorry if I've ranted.
News
product reviews
features
peer support
I think peer support is really important but also product reviews. Esp when starting out you can spend SO much money that product reviews by other people are really invaluable. Like a tripadvisor for bike bits. Having said that, creating some kind of community where you can get support would be fab. Some women are very nervous of forums like this but might feel more confident on a women's site.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Just for joy really. Like the fact it gets me fit but more for pleasure.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Cyclechat and its predecessor, what's now Bike Radar.
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes I do. Which is great.
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Kind of. I'm not really in the market for much gear at the moment. I do think cycling clothes are generally ugly and think there's loads of scope for better stuff. I like pink but I don't want to wear it from head to toe, and it's a very specific pink that I like too, not baby pink but not lurid pink. Some decent clothes not in pastel would be wonderful.
Other bits and bobs from me...
Minxgirl is awesome, I LOVE it. For me it's the kind of place I want to buy cycling gear from and it has a really nice atmosphere. Unfortunately I can only afford their sales though.
Also...and very specifically here I'm afraid...there's NOTHING in the UK for women cycling who are pregant. No kit, no real advice from cyclists, no support structure. That's a real gap in the market.
Also....of all the cycling disciplines, it strikes me that touring is the most popular amongst women.
That's me done...sorry if I've ranted.
purplepolly
New Member
- Location
- my house
Cathryn said:
they do rainwear - cycling capes
Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
Answers to your questions below - the whole women and cycling dynamic is intriguing and this thread makes for really interesting reading.
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
product reviews
features
peer support
Features and product reviews would interest me most, though I've had some online peer support that has really made a huge difference to the way I've evolved as a cyclist.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Primarily leisure, though I commute because it's the most sensible option. Shopping sometimes, socialising sometimes.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Figured a lot out for myself, but asked my brother, my ex-partner and used internet cycling fora.
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes, more young women on road bikes (especially studenty types on old racers) and more 40+ ish cycle path pootlers and commuters. No sign of much increase on the Audax ride I did recently, and only about 8% on a recent sportive. The growing popularity of triathlon I think may be part of the reason for the increase overall.
I help to organise an overnight ride and this year saw a decrease in the proportion of female riders. The weather was appalling though!
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Yes.
Amongst others, ttcycle's comments struck a chord:
Although I've only been back into cycling for the past 6 years I grew up around cyclists and lycra so have always felt pretty comfortable with that side of it, and accepted that sometimes I'll look like hell and get sweaty. Am also fairly interested in the technical side of bikes (though I do LOVE a sparkly paint job!). I'm not very racy, but do enjoy longer distance riding, which a lot of women seem to lack the confidence to try.
Part of this seems to stem from being able to find ride partners who match or happily accommodate your ability, and for a lot of women that's not necessarily going to happen if they go out with a male partner or group of male friends (based on a sample of work colleagues and friends...).
Some of the women only fora/sub fora I've looked at in the past felt as though they were dominated by a few experienced, outspoken and competitive people who don't like to have their opinions challenged and are a bit spiky with anyone they see as being a threat. I haven't really noticed that as much on mixed fora - but that may well be because there is a lot more forum traffic so you can tune it out more
1. What do you rate most highly:
News
product reviews
features
peer support
Features and product reviews would interest me most, though I've had some online peer support that has really made a huge difference to the way I've evolved as a cyclist.
2. Why do you cycle:
Commuting
Leisure
Shopping
For everything
Primarily leisure, though I commute because it's the most sensible option. Shopping sometimes, socialising sometimes.
3. As a beginner who did you go to for help and advice?
Figured a lot out for myself, but asked my brother, my ex-partner and used internet cycling fora.
4. Do you feel that more women are cycling now than were last year?
Yes, more young women on road bikes (especially studenty types on old racers) and more 40+ ish cycle path pootlers and commuters. No sign of much increase on the Audax ride I did recently, and only about 8% on a recent sportive. The growing popularity of triathlon I think may be part of the reason for the increase overall.
I help to organise an overnight ride and this year saw a decrease in the proportion of female riders. The weather was appalling though!
5. Many brands have expanded their women's range, are you aware of this?
Yes.
Amongst others, ttcycle's comments struck a chord:
ttcycle said:
Although I've only been back into cycling for the past 6 years I grew up around cyclists and lycra so have always felt pretty comfortable with that side of it, and accepted that sometimes I'll look like hell and get sweaty. Am also fairly interested in the technical side of bikes (though I do LOVE a sparkly paint job!). I'm not very racy, but do enjoy longer distance riding, which a lot of women seem to lack the confidence to try.
Part of this seems to stem from being able to find ride partners who match or happily accommodate your ability, and for a lot of women that's not necessarily going to happen if they go out with a male partner or group of male friends (based on a sample of work colleagues and friends...).
Some of the women only fora/sub fora I've looked at in the past felt as though they were dominated by a few experienced, outspoken and competitive people who don't like to have their opinions challenged and are a bit spiky with anyone they see as being a threat. I haven't really noticed that as much on mixed fora - but that may well be because there is a lot more forum traffic so you can tune it out more
Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
Mine was a bit of a rant as well - interesting subject, innit?Cathryn said:
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