Are women less into cycling than men?

[Asturiano]

Look at the way everyone lapped up the greenedge "Call Me Maybe" thing. Cyclists showing personality.... imagine that! Why not give a cyclist a microphone and a camera and have them interview some other cyclists? They usually end up the funniest interviews in other sports. Heading into the new season, a rider within the team being a bit of a documentarian catching all the fun stuff at camps, some of the fun on the bus, all the stupidity? This is the type of "insider" stuff that is used in other sports all the time. As I said, earlier in the thread, there's a bit of this stuff on youtube... if you can find it.

Last year, Spanish tv was given a camera to cyclists and they had to make a little video by themselves and for one day about what was going on after the race on the bus, hotel rooms, etc.

 

[Asturiano]

A hard stage!
How come we always end up in that particular area? Must be all that testotorone 'round 'ere...

Women alo say sexist commentaries. This one is one of them.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Jalina has some good points....I bet in Italy they do have the magazine interviews with a more friendly / personal life feel. Maybe USA does ?

In the U.S., the biggest is VeloNews (tiny, tons of paid positions went to interns to stay open) and they operate like the American propaganda wing of the UCI. Nothing going on there. The casual audience is much, much bigger. VN and a couple of dead-tree publications focus on getting consumers to replace their "worn out, inefficient, old" gear with the new hotness. Cycling is the new golf in the U.S. and so the gear budget is astronomical in order to be considered an enthusiast. Athletes are not given much column space.

A few American sites do a much better job at it, but it's pretty sparse reading.

 

[RedheadDane]

To answer the thread title.

Yes. It would appear that women are indeed less into cycling than men.
Mystery solved!

 

[Bespoke]

In the U.S., the biggest is VeloNews (tiny, tons of paid positions went to interns to stay open) and they operate like the American propaganda wing of the UCI. Nothing going on there. The casual audience is much, much bigger. VN and a couple of dead-tree publications focus on getting consumers to replace their "worn out, inefficient, old" gear with the new hotness. Cycling is the new golf in the U.S. and so the gear budget is astronomical in order to be considered an enthusiast. Athletes are not given much column space.

A few American sites do a much better job at it, but it's pretty sparse reading.

I'm trying to square this comment with your earlier comment regarding cars and the affordability of bikes. Care to elaborate?


And, to keep the thread moving along parallel lines, responding to trailrunner's earlier post: what's up with "roadie 'tude"? Where does it come from and what warrants it?

 

[trailrunner]

I'm trying to square this comment with your earlier comment regarding cars and the affordability of bikes. Care to elaborate?

I won't speak for DirtyWorks, but there are those who have to ride a bike, and there are those who choose to ride a bike. College students who can't afford a car fall in to the former category. Yuppies with money burning a hole in the pocket fall in to the latter category.

 

[Sanitiser]

I'm trying to square this comment with your earlier comment regarding cars and the affordability of bikes. Care to elaborate?


And, to keep the thread moving along parallel lines, responding to trailrunner's earlier post: what's up with "roadie 'tude"? Where does it come from and what warrants it?

Roadie tude generally comes from Type-As. Roadies generally can't relax and let go, so they are always trying to prove themselves- the whole need for pain thing etc. It's a lot of macho bs really.

Uni students just see cycling as the cheapest and quickest way to get from Point A to Point B.

 

[Jalina]

Last year, Spanish tv was given a camera to cyclists and they had to make a little video by themselves and for one day about what was going on after the race on the bus, hotel rooms, etc.

This! We need more of this! Here in Australia, we're lucky just to get a race on TV!

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Good post. That is so right ! I think thats why Jens Voigt is so popular because he has some personality and jokes around. HOWEVER, I often think- does cycling attract loners or do loners cycle ?? the cyclists I meet are not the most exciting / good company. The same with the peloton - every interview is boring, downbeat....i dont even bother listening now...same old monotone stuff. The Belgians are fun but the peloton are a boring lot.

The terrain and remoteness is also a good point - I cycle with 4 or 5 women in Europe and they never cycle alone. I thought nothing of heading into the mountains on my lonesome, until their attitude made me think about it. Now if I,m going into the wilderness, its no make-up, hair out of sight and pull the shorts down far as they go, and ride like Chris Froome

Important point on the women watching cycling angle - the LYCRA BULGE is a HUGE attraction - stood on that podium gives you a great view....Cav is well endowed and I cant recall which rider it was but he looked like he had a canoe down there

My observations-
Spanish - not much at all - in fact - zero
English - Good
French - not bad
Dutch and Scandinavians - Good
Italians - Good
Belgians - Good

You have no idea how good this makes me feel.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

This! We need more of this! Here in Australia, we're lucky just to get a race on TV!

Atleast you get a race, in this country that i am only the tdf is shown with P&P garbage...for the rest its internet stream.