Womens Only Holiday/training Camp

[1234]

Hi

Im thinking of running a womens only weeks holiday at my small holiday company, greek cycle holidays and I am trying to gauge what the level of interest would be and what form it should take.

It could range from a full on structured training camp with coaching to a Cycling based "leisure" holiday with more emphasis on riding, relaxation, sightseeing day trips etc.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

Cheers
Peter

 

[Dave 123]

The antidote to Trump! Good work.

 

[vickster]

Looks like it's already being done if you Google. See what is currently offered and then perhaps try to find a USP?

E.g. https://totalwomenscycling.com/lifestyle/travel/best-womens-training-camps

The latter option you suggest could perhaps appeal to me, you'd need to offer a range of groups by ability, types of terrain, duration, distance etc

Full on training, no thanks, especially not on holiday!

 

[mjr]

I think selling such things in the UK should lead to prosecution under the Equalities Act.

 

[vickster]

I think selling such things in the UK should lead to prosecution under the Equalities Act.

Why? I think it's a good idea, just like Breeze rides. What about single gender sports teams etc?

 

[1234]

Looks like it's already being done if you Google. See what is currently offered and then perhaps try to find a USP?

E.g. https://totalwomenscycling.com/lifestyle/travel/best-womens-training-camps

The latter option you suggest could perhaps appeal to me, you'd need to offer a range of groups by ability, types of terrain, duration, distance etc

Full on training, no thanks, especially not on holiday!

Thanks for your feedback. We are limited in our offering in that we basically offer a ski chalet type holiday but with cycling instead of skiing from our Villa in Greece. Our USP comes from the host (my brother) being an experienced executive chef of 20+ years so you should be well fed, well relaxed and there is literally no expense other than any coffee stops (or external tours Wine tasting etc). We might even include provision for 1 tour in the price making it more attractive.

The idea behind womens only weeks being that some of the women who have enquired about our training camp feel a bit intimidated about riding with a predominantly male group (rightly or wrongly, im not judging) and this would be as relaxed or as intensive as required. We have rides that cater to all standards and wishes and all are easily self guided so numerous groups could go out for the day depending on how people feel, then come back together at the end of the day for the camaraderie and hospitality on an evening.

How does that sound?

 

[mjr]

Why? I think it's a good idea, just like Breeze rides. What about single gender sports teams etc?

Sports have longstanding exceptions because of the nature of competition. Breeze rides are an awful idea, a way for BC to use lottery money (IIRC) to distract from failing to bring its clubs into the late 20th century about women and doing nothing to help other underrepresented minorities. Read Nicole Cooke's submission to parliament if in any doubt about BC's core attitude to women: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenev.../combatting-doping-in-sport/written/45898.pdf ""

Not necessarily. Perfectly legal if intended as positive action.

I wrote what should happen, not the state of the current law.

 

[1234]

It sounds great!

Thanks. Would you be interested in booking? :-)

 

[vickster]

Sports have longstanding exceptions because of the nature of competition. Breeze rides are an awful idea, a way for BC to use lottery money (IIRC) to distract from failing to bring its clubs into the late 20th century about women and doing nothing to help other underrepresented minorities. Read Nicole Cooke's submission to parliament if in any doubt about BC's core attitude to women: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenev.../combatting-doping-in-sport/written/45898.pdf ""


I wrote what should happen, not the state of the current law.

I would assume NC was talking about elite sport not recreational cycling with other women for enjoyment. Like Breeze rides
Sexism would appear rife throughout elite sport generally

You are entitled to your opinion and apparent hated of BC.
The OP has explained the rationale based on feedback received from women interested in using his services

 

[mjr]

The OP has explained the rationale based on feedback received from women interested in using his services

And I've given my thoughts, as requested in the OP. I think it's a bit poor to flame me for doing so.

I feel it would be better to give reassurances that any intimidation will be stamped out, rather than reward the intimidators by removing women from their presence. Of course, as a chronically-ill man, I'm not wild about the consequence of it leaving intimidating men - possibly now emboldened by their success in scaring away women - in the only rides people like me could take part in. Others are entitled to feel differently.

I think that's a more than a little unfair on the ordinary women who are running Breeze rides at a local level

I mean no unfairness towards them, but I feel they would be better off helping run inclusive rides that also encouraged other underrepresented minorities to take part, instead of helping whitewash BC.

 

[jefmcg]

I wrote what should happen, not the state of the current law.

It's good to see someone finally taking a stand against sexism in hypothetical resort holidays. For too long have men been oppressed by not being allowed to attend things that don't actually exist yet.

 

[jefmcg]

I would appreciate any thoughts.

It's not for me. Training camp sounds dire and really only of interest to competitive riders, who presumably train with a team already. Getting a team, or a few teams to come at the same time altogether might work (my rowing club did this in Spain)a

And if I went on a "cycling" holiday, I'd prefer to actually go somewhere, not round and round area every day. It's a better story for one "I road from <country> to <country>" is easy to tell when you get back.

 

[mjr]

These are not sport cyclists we are talking about you know.

I think we've figured out in past discussions that what Breeze is varies a lot - here it seems to be lycra, road bikes, compulsory helmets, the full sport look, plus male guests - so let's not repeat ourselves. Thanks.

 

[1234]

.

And I've given my thoughts, as requested in the OP. I think it's a bit poor to flame me for doing so.

I feel it would be better to give reassurances that any intimidation will be stamped out, rather than reward the intimidators by removing women from their presence. Of course, as a chronically-ill man, I'm not wild about the consequence of it leaving intimidating men - possibly now emboldened by their success in scaring away women - in the only rides people like me could take part in. Others are entitled to feel differently.


I mean no unfairness towards them, but I feel they would be better off helping run inclusive rides that also encouraged other underrepresented minorities to take part, instead of helping whitewash BC.

I appreciate your sentiment, but essentially i am running a business where there seems to be a demand for single women (or groups of women) to take up our services in a single sex environment. Nobody is stopping women from joining our training camp should they wish to do. Nor are we stipulating only male camps or holidays.

All i wanted to do was see if my initial impression of demand was reflected on this forum and what form we should structure our offering, not debate sexism in cycling at any level.

 

[1234]

It's not for me. Training camp sounds dire and really only of interest to competitive riders, who presumably train with a team already. Getting a team, or a few teams to come at the same time altogether might work (my rowing club did this in Spain)a

And if I went on a "cycling" holiday, I'd prefer to actually go somewhere, not round and round area every day. It's a better story for one "I road from <country> to <country>" is easy to tell when you get back.

Fair enough thanks for your feedback.