Womens Only Holiday/training Camp

[1234]

I agree about 'training camp', that wouldn't be for me either. But as regards 'cycling holidays', I've been on several touring-style holidays that involved staying at one hotel for the whole week and going out every day in a different direction and to a different destination. It was lovely not to have to pack everything up each night ready to move on, and even nicer riding without any luggage for miles and miles over a week.

Yes I think it would be a "holiday" rather than a camp.

Most routes are loops and do go in opposite directions over the island and even onto the mainland (which is connected by a 15min ferry ride) giving lots of variation and no repeats through the week.

 

[mjr]

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.

That's kind of difficult when you seem to be essentially asking whether to formalise sexism in an aspect of cycling (holidays) where it wasn't a certainty before. I hope I've suggested that you should do something to deal with the perceived risk of intimidation, else you may deter other minorities (male or female) by implying that you feel segregation is a good solution.

 

[vickster]

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.

And, so it's not for you. Cycling is a broad church don't you know

 

[1234]

That's kind of difficult when you seem to be essentially asking whether to formalise sexism in an aspect of cycling (holidays) where it wasn't a certainty before. I hope I've suggested that you should do something to protect against intimidation, else you may deter other minorities (male or female) by implying that you feel segregation is a good solution.

What practical actions would you suggest to protect against intimidation that would actually reassure any previously reluctant women to change their mind and book?

 

[1234]

Personally it wouldnt appeal to me as I like to do my own thing and get my own way all the time.
Also when I've been in groups I prefer mixed groups, I've never enjoyed being in womens groups, from school to being an adult. Obviously though different people like different things.

Sounds like you should book a normal holiday with us :-)

 

[vickster]

What practical actions would you suggest to protect against intimidation that would actually reassure any previously reluctant women to change their mind and book?

Banning men

 

[Dogtrousers]

Adventure Syndicate ("a collective of extraordinary cyclists who happen to be women") ran something similar (possibly). "A womens specific winter training camp" Here: http://theadventuresyndicate.com/events/2016/11/13/winter-training-camp-girona

You might want to contact them to see if they'd be interested in using your services for a future event.

 

[1234]

Adventure Syndicate ("a collective of extraordinary cyclists who happen to be women") ran something similar (possibly). "A womens specific winter training camp" Here: http://theadventuresyndicate.com/events/2016/11/13/winter-training-camp-girona

You might want to contact them to see if they'd be interested in using your services for a future event.

Great thanks

 

[mjr]

Cycling is a broad church don't you know

I'd say it's many churches, but unfortunately some of them seem to be worshipping false idols

What practical actions would you suggest to protect against intimidation that would actually reassure any previously reluctant women to change their mind and book?

I don't know whether it would reassure any of those women (maybe you could ask some who made you wonder about this?), but maybe making something like a suitable code of conduct one of your terms of booking and mention that you aim to be harassment-free?

 

[1234]

Thats a good idea and something we can look regardless of gender

 

[vickster]

I'd say it's many churches, but unfortunately some of them seem to be worshipping false idols


I don't know whether it would reassure any of those women (maybe you could ask some who made you wonder about this?), but maybe making something like a suitable code of conduct one of your terms of booking and mention that you aim to be harassment-free?

In your view maybe

I doubt women are really being harassed but because of how some men can behave especially in a 'sport' environment (there have even been instances of willy waving on Cyclechat heaven forbid), they fear they may be. Maybe they don't want to book an expensive holiday where such behaviour could in their view occur. This is why they would like a women only option where no such concerns exist. As being proposed by the OP

 

[mjr]

This is why they would like a women only option where no such concerns exist.

Women never intimidate other women?

And sod all other minorities - they can fend for themselves?

 

[Spinney]

I'm sure @1234 would be happy to set up a [insert minority of your choice here]-only cycling holiday if there was the demand for it. In the specific example of this thread, you seem to be making a mountain out of a mole-hill. If you want to discuss women-specific activities in general, there must be other threads already existing on the subject.

 

[vickster]

Women never intimidate other women?

And sod all other minorities - they can fend for themselves?

See Spinney's answer above

Oh and women aren't actually a minority afaik, at least not in the UK

Population of the United Kingdom in 2015, by gender*

This statistic shows the population of the United Kingdom (UK) from the most recent estimates for mid 2015, by gender. At this time, women outnumbered men by roughly 960 thousand.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/281240/population-of-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-gender/

 

[mjr]

I'm sure @1234 would be happy to set up a [insert minority of your choice here]-only cycling holiday if there was the demand for it

I don't want that. I have friends who I go on cycling holidays with who aren't chronically ill. I want a holiday where the host supports it as a safe space - it's like how I use forums with active and mostly-reasonable mods more than the ones populated solely by people who are chronically ill (I am on one and they have their uses but I wouldn't want to be on a holiday with only its users).

If you want to discuss women-specific activities in general, there must be other threads already existing on the subject.

Find one. Anyway, I offered my opinion, got flamed, defended it and answered what I think was at least one good-faith question about it. I don't particularly want to continue this discussion because I think my flamers are unlikely to change their view at this time, but I'm reluctant to let the usual "alternative solutions" (they're like "alternative facts"...) slide by in case anyone gets fooled.

Oh and women aren't actually a minority afaik, at least not in the UK

I know but if I wrote that, someone would point out that they're thought to be a minority in cycling and definitely are in British Cycling because that's how BC justified Breeze.