I've been on a lot of group rides where I'm the only girl, and I don't think I've ever seen anybody have any kind of sexist attitude towards me--quite the opposite, actually. Most men have been extremely helpful in improving my riding. Some of them drop me, some of them ride with me, and either way, I'm happy. The ones that drop me only make me want to ride faster, and the ones that don't drop me let me know what I need to do, and encourage me.

Bike Forums (specifically RC) is a different story. I've never felt all that comfortable here, and a lot of it has to do with seeing some of the posts I've seen in here over the last couple of years--I'm sure the vast majority of posters are decent guys, but unfortunately the ones that post the disgustingly offensive comments stick out in my mind more so than any others.

I don't care that some men judge women by the way they look; however, when someone says, "Did she swallow?" or posts a picture of a man slapping a woman, it makes my blood boil--the latter is downright disturbing to see.

How often does that happen? Even in the women's forum, of course we'll respond to a photo of a hot guy, but you'll never see the kind of remarks that are so typical here. (Edit: sorry, didn't realize that was a joke.)