Riding with women
#126
Banned.
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 307
Likes: 79
From: Kingdom of Qwaa
#127
For The Fun of It

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 2,012
From: Louisissippi Coast
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
I thought of this thread today. I did my loop through New Orleans. When I ride, I often ride with a little blue tooth speaker playing motivational/upbeat music. It was a nice day for a ride. Sunny, cool and breezy. I did pick up a shard of glass and have to replace a tube. Part of the ride runs along the NOLA lakefront where there are quite a few cyclists. I was starting to close the gap on a female rider ahead of me. She was making good speed, so it was a slow process. As I got close enough that she could likely hear my music, I processed what was playing. "Don't You Want Me." Younger members may have to look that one up. That's when I thought of this thread. Since my turn was coming pretty soon, I went ahead and dropped a piece back.
#129
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 10,282
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
#131
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 684
Likes: 333
From: Iowa
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Fargo 1x12, 2019 Jamis Renegade Exploit 1x11. Motobacne NX Fat Tire
#132
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 800
Likes: 311
From: Westchester, NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2, Specialized Tarmac SL8 Fact 10r
I love riding with women and what heterosexuals' male wouldn't since a women in a spandex kit is always a sight. Jokes aside, honestly a lot of women put out more watts then I do so for group rides I just blend right in. I sometimes don't even like cycling with guys since it can just be a big testosterone circle jerk of people trying to out do each other on and off the bike.
#133
Full Member

Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 238
Likes: 127
When out riding by myself, if I'm unable to pass someone (and stay in front of them) then I let them drop me. I don't try to sit on their arse, nor do I try to talk to them. And I guess that's what I'd like from other cyclists.
#135
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 925
Checking out - yes, hard to avoid, but I get just as excited by a smooth pedal stroke and the ability to hold the correct pace at the front of a paceline.
#136
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
I generally say something polite (of the "good evening" or "thank you" ilk) to almost everybody I pass (and I announce my passes before I get there for safety reasons), but I figure that crosses the line from polite to creepy if I then try to match their speed. Does that seem about right?
I started doing this because so many people seem to apologize when they get passed, like they're worried that I'm annoyed they're in my way--I really don't want them to feel that way, and I've never had anything worse than being ignored happen when I say "hi" or whatever. I don't mind being ignored, but getting an undeserved apology makes me feel guilty. It's their path/road, too.
#137
Over the hill

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24,624
Likes: 1,383
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Pinarello Nytro, Momentum Transend
#138
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Likes: 85
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 2017 Surly Cross-Check. 2020 Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0, 2002 GT Dyno Roadster, 2002 Rans Stratus, 2020 Giant Fathom 2, 2011 Trek Pure Sport
Join a riding group or start one if you want to chat on rides. Period!
#140
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
#142
#144
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 10,282
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
#145
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 702
Likes: 419
Don't talk to women cyclists you don't know and haven't been formally introduced to socially, also don't randomly wave at female cyclists you don't know. Both of these are creepy according to my wife. I think the exception is if you see her on the side of the road changing a tire or trying to get her tubular off the rim, you can slow down and inquire if they have all the tools they need, but I do that for men too.
Last edited by billridesbikes; 04-26-22 at 04:46 PM.
#146
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 165
Bikes: Trek 5200, Rivendell Atlantis, Soma DoubleCross, Bilenky Signature tandem, Cannondale RT3000 tandem, Santa Cruz TallBoy, Kona Explosif, Bridgestone MB2
I've got this real creeper of a woman who lives in my neighborhood. Not so much when it's cold, and never when I ride the trails, but it seems almost half the time I ride the road, she latches on and drafts me unbelievably closely. Sometimes, I think can feel her breathing on my neck. She's pleasant enough and likes to chat, is several years younger and quite pretty, so I've been letting it happen. A few times she has crossed the line and pinched my bottom, and I'm torn as to whether I should consider myself harassed. She pulled this crap for 40 miles the other day. I was riding my red bike.
#148
I generally say something polite (of the "good evening" or "thank you" ilk) to almost everybody I pass (and I announce my passes before I get there for safety reasons), but I figure that crosses the line from polite to creepy if I then try to match their speed. Does that seem about right?
I started doing this because so many people seem to apologize when they get passed, like they're worried that I'm annoyed they're in my way--I really don't want them to feel that way, and I've never had anything worse than being ignored happen when I say "hi" or whatever. I don't mind being ignored, but getting an undeserved apology makes me feel guilty. It's their path/road, too.
I started doing this because so many people seem to apologize when they get passed, like they're worried that I'm annoyed they're in my way--I really don't want them to feel that way, and I've never had anything worse than being ignored happen when I say "hi" or whatever. I don't mind being ignored, but getting an undeserved apology makes me feel guilty. It's their path/road, too.
#149
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
I'm talking not only about usual and friendly "hi" , talking about men who keep your speed (even when you almost stop to let him go away), and try to talk with you (where do you live? let's ride a bike together) and so on. And even when you say NO , he doesn't understand and still keep going
Not taking no for an answer sounds even worse than creepy, crossing over to threatening. Does that happen a lot?
Hope you don't mind my asking you about this, but this thread has 99% been men talking to each other, and I think myself and my fellow males are pretty blind to the day-to-day of this.
#150
New here




Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 15,532
Likes: 8,594
From: Tejas
I've got this real creeper of a woman who lives in my neighborhood. Not so much when it's cold, and never when I ride the trails, but it seems almost half the time I ride the road, she latches on and drafts me unbelievably closely. Sometimes, I think can feel her breathing on my neck. She's pleasant enough and likes to chat, is several years younger and quite pretty, so I've been letting it happen. A few times she has crossed the line and pinched my bottom, and I'm torn as to whether I should consider myself harassed. She pulled this crap for 40 miles the other day. I was riding my red bike.






