<
Our friend Devan wrote a nice little recap of the NAHBS on her blog, an event she attended as a cyclist interested in the fixed freestyle scene as well as the custom bike porn. She had the following to say on her blog:
I also just want to quickly note that while I had an amazing time this weekend, I do want to say, I am a bit disappointed in the way some boys continue to treat girls who ride (stop hitting on us, especially those who have boyfriends that they love, it is incredibly disrespectful, and it just makes you look desperate). It is really quite upsetting. I know I speak for a lot of us when I say that I wish I would just be seen as another person who likes to ride and have fun, rather than nothing more than a girl with boobs and a vagina. It really makes me feel not respected at times. I won’t let a few assholes ruin my opinion of all of you guys though. I met a lot of great people including (but not limited to) John, Tony, and Ted. Can’t wait to ride with you guys again!
While I appreciate this wholeheartedly, as a single man I feel left out here. I fully agree with respect towards women currently in a relationship, and those who arent. But I must ask, how did you meet your boyfriend? I imagine you met him one day and he hit on you. While this may seem primitive to a woman as a man I think I speak for most of us when I say we have no other way to judge interest than to attempt. Some attempt too much, and for too long, and for those your message is perfect.
I do not know the stipulations in which you experienced the situation as read but I can however offer another point of view. Its a compliment, to an extent, then an annoyance. If we hit on you once, take it in stride make the boyfriend point clear and go along smiling knowing your cute enough to warrant attention however dedicated enough not to fall trap to it.
If we hit on you twice, and we know you have a boyfriend, were fair game. Do as you wish. (just keep it above the waist please)
Guys that are Jerks,in that way, need to be beat down,no prob there.
But,I am really tired of reading about these Bike Celebs and their blog rants and their complaints on this and that,tweets on what they ate what they … etc.etc. blah blah.
This is EXACTLY why I don’t watch t.v.! I want to read about bikes and bike people not your problems at a party.Grow up.
Keep this stuff private and out of the Bike scence please.
a lil full of ourselves are we?
She could have worse problems.
So a girl has a “personal” blog ,that she elaborated on a bad experience she had during a trip, asking for a little respect for female cyclists. It gets quoted from her blog, posted here, and SHE is ranting and complaining? Did you notice YOU ranted and complained about it on a “public” comment thread? Just agree and shut up, dude. The more you act irritated by a woman asking for respect the more you all look like the same sexist jerks that are the cause of her statements. You enable them and their attitude toward women by allowing that kind of mindset to become a social norm in the “Bike scence”.
Totally agree with previous comments. Take it as a compliment, let the guy down easy and move on. If he persists he’s a knucklehead. No need for some grand announcement like you’re in some kind of equal rights battle. Hard to have sympathy for another online self promoter who ends up getting some attention.
Woa, easy keith… ^^
As much as I’d hate to say it, that’s life. I believe most of us here are respectful, productive members of society. Bad apples will be bad apples. All I say is, why get worked up about it. Like others mentioned, put them in their place then bust out a killer no-handed wheelie!
You guys fucking suck. Seriously.
Devan is only giving a statement,like anyone else.If you go to a bike show or an event,the focus is on whats there,sure if you like someone wether thay are atractive or just look interesting then go talk to them,if you are hard into cycling the talk will be about bikes first and foremost,I think her message is “I am here to enjoy the bikes and related stuff and to talk about bikes,If you just want to hit on someone take a hike and go to a sleazy bar cos I’m into bikes and wish to be treated as such”just adding my two cents,thanx for your time
hah tony and ted were screaming at every girl they saw. in between pissing on eachother.
props to devan on shedding light on all the wackness lady riders have to deal with from their male counterparts.
flatty, fixed, carter – you really exemplify ignorant male bravado that has to be expressed through lame ass comments. good luck getting girlfriends with that kind of attitude!
Stay home.
Lame ass comments to a lame as post, what did you expect…
…and Sandy, calm down. “Exemplify ignorant male bravado”… great words btw, english lit. major? Maybe we’re not the ignorant ones here. Get involved in any male-dominated activity and you’ll attract all the losers like flies on shit. Now, I’m not call you ladies shit but all I am saying is that you should recognize this, be prepared, and handle it gracefully without coming across like one has an elevated sense-of-self. Cuz you know, hardcore muthaf’in assholes like myself and possibly the other accused will call you out on it.
If women keep getting elbowed out of the bike scene then it will continue to be a “male-dominated activity”. but IF they are appreciated and treated humanely as a part of that scene, i think we will see that cycling isn’t just a boys club.
it’s interesting how the majority of dudes are basically reducing it down to “it’s a compliment, deal with it,” and yet devan is somehow the one in possession of an “elevated sense of self.” if dudes (or anyone) steps to someone in a respectful way, people usually take that as a compliment. if someone gets so many asinine comments they feel compelled to sound off on their blog about it, i think it’s safe to say the comments were not coming from a place of mutual respect.
the situation devan brings to the table is a real pertinent issue in the cycling scene, so it shouldn’t be brushed under the table just because she’s a woman who’s standing up for respect she deserves from her peers.
boys will be boys. this being said, instead of whining on a blog, ride harder, faster, and do more tricks. it will shut the boys up when they see how serious you are.
That sucks. When I first started getting into the scene, I also happened to notice that there were a lot of cute girls who were into it. Seeing as we are all passionate about bikes and riding it seemed logical to conclude that if I were going to be with anyone, I’d be happier with someone with whom I shared a common interest. I thought about it for some time, and thought about it some more. Then one day I realized that I am far too shy and too much of a wuss to ever talk to any of the girls with the intention of dating or anything like that, so you don’t have to worry about getting treated any differently than the guys from the likes of me. Hope things get better for you.
^^ Thank you Matilda… direct and to the point.
“it’s interesting how the majority of dudes are basically reducing it down to “it’s a compliment, deal with it,” and yet devan is somehow the one in possession of an “elevated sense of self.” if dudes (or anyone) steps to someone in a respectful way, people usually take that as a compliment. if someone gets so many asinine comments they feel compelled to sound off on their blog about it, i think it’s safe to say the comments were not coming from a place of mutual respect.”
Couldn’t agree more. If guys want to see more girls involved in the scene, then don’t make them feel like they have to be dating one of you to be welcome- simple as that. It just makes you look like a middle schooler.
^ No one said anything about making anyone feel like they have to date anyone. We HAVE a handful of girls in our ‘scene’, one even rode a century on a fixie with us. Yes, a few guys tried talking to her, but she handled it gracefully and moved on. I agree, women in this and other hobbies are like hemophiliacs in a shark pool, but why draw attention to yourself to complain about getting too much attention?!?
Haven’t you heard, there’s now crying in cycling!
Fixed, the above wasn’t directed at you specifically, I was merely reflecting on what I’ve seen in this and other male-dominated sports with lots of young dudes. I don’t think someone has an “elevated sense of self” because they openly state that they are sick of getting hit on. Yeah, a good looking lady is going to attract guys like flies on shit, and it obviously bothered one of them so much that she politely brought it up and made a good point that most dudes could stand to take to heart.
Also, I think it bears repeating- the quotation in the original post was on a personal blog, which, aside from one’s close friends, doesn’t generally bring a lot of attention. You know, aside from Prolly and the like with highly public blogs. Everyone saying “quit complaining” would never have seen it, had it not been linked on Urban Velo.
life is tough. ride on.
To me, there is nothing sexier than a girl on a bike… unfortunately, I’d be more likely to hit on a girl’s bike than her (my old lady still doesn’t understand how I notice her new cassette, but not her new haircut). Get out, ride, and anyone who messes with you can get fucked.