Originally Posted by delcrossv

"Biology is destiny" is neither overwhelming nor nonexistent.

Originally Posted by Tim199

Edit: Oh and I'd actually go as far as to say that some of the documented differences in the adult male and female brains are partly due to the activities they are encouraged to do as children and throughout life. I don't have evidence to back that up specifically, but there is increasing evidence now that what activities we focus on do affect our brains.

Originally Posted by antimonysarah

And basically if you intentionally teach those skills, the gap between men and women closes right up. We think of spatial reasoning as an innate talent, but it can be taught/improved with practice. So play first-person-shooters with your daughters, it's good for them.

Originally Posted by Hermespan

If philosophical discussion of bicycle social issues do not belong here, moderstors please move this post.

short story: Why are bikes 'a guy thing?'

Long story: Whether as an elementary school boy or adult, in 1965 or now, in Asia or Canada, things remain more of less the same - girls (except in Vietnam and China?) do not ride bikes.

I can think of a few possible reasons some from Victorian era, some based on the different ways are brains are hardwired. Never the less I find it strange.

Originally Posted by roadandmountain

The cycling industry caters primarily to male, middle aged, faux racer types. There's a huge emphasis on the latest gadgetry, and the vast vast majority of shop employees are male (perhaps 90%+ plus).

The expense and pretentiousness of the typical bike shop is really unfortunate. It has been a long time since I've enjoyed a visit to a bike shop. You're likely to see 3 types:

-gadget obsessed, annoyingly pompous owner with $11K bike.

- a couple of 30-something cat 3/4/5 shop managers with shaved legs, and $5K bikes who look down on anyone who doesn't have aero wheels and a carbon frame.

-half a dozen bonged out druggie mechanics who make minimum wage, but surprisingly, also have $5K bikes just like the 2 shop managers.

Even though I've been riding for about 25 years now, I can probably say that I've never actually enjoyed visiting a bike shop for the purposes of buying a bike or accessories.

The only times I've actually enjoyed my visits were for the free classes on bike maintenance.

Unfortunately, visiting bike shops has been the least enjoyable aspect of being a cyclist . . . . .

If I don't like bike shops, then a woman who is a novice must loathe them.

Originally Posted by rebel1916

My older daughter insisted on pink, purple and princesses long before she had any outside pressure to do so. While my wife and I were actively trying to avoid emphasizing such things. She also enjoys getting dirty, temporary tattoos, rafting, rock climbing etc. Some nature, some nurture. It is, what it is.