Women in the TdF
07-13-05 | 07:44 PM
#51
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
Joined: May 2005
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From: all the way down under
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My wife said that women didn't compete in the TDF because they don't want to squat in the bushes to pee mid-stage, she says the boys have too much of a competitive advantage in that department 
07-13-05 | 08:06 PM
#52
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
It's pretty simple. If people want to treat women as completely equal to men, that's fine, as long as they post competitive times and qualify, I'd be happy with women in the tour. Same with baseketball, football, baseball, if a woman can be competitive, then it's just fair that they let her play.
However, biologically, while a woman can physiologically approach 98% of what a male can, it's that last 2% that takes an extra 200% more effort.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why the olympic 100 meter sprints are separated by male and female?
BTW, there is a female driver in indy racing and she even lead a bunch of laps and had a real good chance of winning.
However, biologically, while a woman can physiologically approach 98% of what a male can, it's that last 2% that takes an extra 200% more effort.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why the olympic 100 meter sprints are separated by male and female?
BTW, there is a female driver in indy racing and she even lead a bunch of laps and had a real good chance of winning.
07-14-05 | 09:50 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
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Originally Posted by lilHinault
There was an article in one of the bike magazines, Procycling I think, about an Italian lady who rode in the Tour a few times, and finished each time. She did it for the money, and for prizes like a turkey, sausages, etc. Honestly! It was the Depression, after all. She was a big chunky gal, probably good and strong, and I think later in life worked for the circus.
07-14-05 | 11:07 AM
#55
Guy with bike
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 401
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From: Madison, WI
Originally Posted by DanFromDetroit
Using a marathon for comparison purposes, the men's world record (2:05:38) and women's world record (2:15:26) are separated by less than 10%. My guess is that cycling would not be that much different. I don't know this for a fact but I would bet there is more variablity from the "front of the pack" to the "back of the pack" among the men in the TdF than 10%. This tells me that women would not be stragglers at best.
Dan
Dan
07-14-05 | 11:16 AM
#56
Guy with bike
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 401
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From: Madison, WI
Originally Posted by 2mtr
I don't understand how a woman these days couldn't do just as well as Lance or Jan or whomever in an endurance race. I mean, there's this 6'1" Korean girl on the PGA Tour, and she does pretty well considering she's only 16. The best rider at my messengering outfit is a chick. So physicality isn't really a limiting factor, I don't think.
