Are women less into cycling than men?

[Slava101]

Women are generally less well represented in most sports, so it would be surprising for it to be much different than in Cycling. Though the number of women into cycling seems to be increasing steadily. The lack of a solid professional scene for women's cycling definitively must hurt the cause.

Though however I should remark that more young women seem to cycle than young men. I live in University halls in the UK and a good 60-80% of the bikes stored in the bike sheds and racks are women's bikes. Just from general observation I know far more women who cycle to University than men. However I don't know any women who are seriously into one form of cycling etc. which seems quite odd.

I think women's cycling has huge potential and is something that will hopefully blossom over the following years.

 

[Cycle Chic]

The podium girls are in every sport so that cant be a factor.

I think the Clubs have a lot to answer for. Most people when they take up a new sport join a club....to get advice and learn the sport...yep stop right there because the Cycling Clubs are full of crusty old blokes, middle-aged guys who are testosterone depleted who compete with any wheel that moves, young lads wanting to be the next Geraint Thomas or the old guy who wants to perve at you from behind - quite a few of these by the way.

Women - errrrrr thats why we are here early morning on a Saturday or Sunday to get away from the nagging wife/girlfriend/kids.

The last thing they want is for a FEMALE to join in...chat chat chatting...god dont these women ever shut up !

I have had 2 experiences with Clubs. My local one - I turned up at the meeting point and the one guy already there did not even say hello. The others turned up and the look of depression that came over their faces was quite horrifying for me. It was intimidating enough to turn up on my own and then this !

The other was a much better experience in Europe...where the group all rode together and any stragglers were not abandoned and we all regrouped at the morning coffee stop. The last 10kms were 'game on' and if anyone wanted to compete that was just fine.

I admit it is a sport where LEVELS of riding are the problem. No-one wants to ride with others who are a different level. That is why many riders either ride on their own OR find riders of the same level.

 

[trailrunner]

The podium girls are in every sport so that cant be a factor.

I think the Clubs have a lot to answer for. Most people when they take up a new sport join a club....to get advice and learn the sport...yep stop right there because the Cycling Clubs are full of crusty old blokes, middle-aged guys who are testosterone depleted who compete with any wheel that moves, young lads wanting to be the next Geraint Thomas or the old guy who wants to perve at you from behind - quite a few of these by the way.

Women - errrrrr thats why we are here early morning on a Saturday or Sunday to get away from the nagging wife/girlfriend/kids.

The last thing they want is for a FEMALE to join in...chat chat chatting...god dont these women ever shut up !

I have had 2 experiences with Clubs. My local one - I turned up at the meeting point and the one guy already there did not even say hello. The others turned up and the look of depression that came over their faces was quite horrifying for me. It was intimidating enough to turn up on my own and then this !

The other was a much better experience in Europe...where the group all rode together and any stragglers were not abandoned and we all regrouped at the morning coffee stop. The last 10kms were 'game on' and if anyone wanted to compete that was just fine.

I admit it is a sport where LEVELS of riding are the problem. No-one wants to ride with others who are a different level. That is why many riders either ride on their own OR find riders of the same level.

My team was the opposite. We gave free membership to women and to juniors. We encouraged them to show up. So we welcomed females, and it wasn't just to try to get a date. And in my area, we were nothing special - there was at least one other team that was known as the team for women.

As far as nobody talking to you when you first showed up, that's because roadies are snobbish jerks not because you're a girl. That kind of 'tude happens all the time.

The different speeds and dropping slower riders during the team rides is a perpetual problem. But from a girls' viewpoint, I think you're right that this is an important factor in keeping women away. Guys get to the front of the pack, keep half-wheeling each other, and keep pushing the pace and fighting for position, even if it it supposed to be a no-drop ride. Most women don't want to be that aggressive, and then when they get dropped they feel like they lost and been rejected. It's a lonely feeling to watch the pack ride away and then you're alone on the road.

So in the end, maybe you're right - the clubs and local teams could do more. But what usually happens is that women form their own teams. In some ways, that's good because it gives them a place where they feel comfortable and can get them started, but in other ways it's too bad that it has to happen that way.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think you've completely missed the point.

No I have not. Just because women are used as podium 'people' and men are not does not equate to they are used for whatever they like. It is a tradition that is developed over many years. If the girls are not being forced to go up there then let them. Unfortunately, some politically correct ****er will say, "there are most likely gay cyclists so it's discrimination" and as a result we will change the tradition and there will be no more women on the podiums.

 

[blutto]

I think you've completely missed the point.

....judging from ACF's posts here I really don't think that the problem is so much that he missed the point, but rather that he is the point...

Cheers

blutto

 

[Asturiano]

No I have not. Just because women are used as podium 'people' and men are not does not equate to they are used for whatever they like. It is a tradition that is developed over many years. If the girls are not being forced to go up there then let them. Unfortunately, some politically correct ****er will say, "there are most likely gay cyclists so it's discrimination" and as a result we will change the tradition and there will be no more women on the podiums.

What about tv-comedies where men are always being humiliated creating a ridiculous point of view about men's world making fun of them in an agressive way (specially the Spanish tv-comedies)?. Why don't politicians and feminists argue against it?.

After this thought we can back to the topic again.

 

[Jalina]

No I have not. Just because women are used as podium 'people' and men are not does not equate to they are used for whatever they like. It is a tradition that is developed over many years. If the girls are not being forced to go up there then let them. Unfortunately, some politically correct ****er will say, "there are most likely gay cyclists so it's discrimination" and as a result we will change the tradition and there will be no more women on the podiums.

How on earth have you managed to turn this into a bit of gay bashing??? The discussion is about female participation and female fan numbers.

LOL!!!! @ blutto!

ETA: a simple reason why podium girls may be seen as bit offensive? They get more airtime than female cyclists, because female cycling generally isn't televised. When the most visible female participation in the sport is as a podium girl and not as an athlete.... simply doesn't seem right.

 

[Cycle Chic]

The Podium girls could wear Lycra...put on some kit....that might show women viewers that it looks ok...I dont mind the girls - I quite like seeing which nationality are the prettiest. I mean nothing else happens up there - the riders are boring as always.....apart from looking at their....

Maybe its because they are constantly exhausted...saving energy...like Tyler hamilton said. And exuding any type of personality would deplete their energy reserves.

Seriously can anyone name a rider who is fun ? extrovert, has charisma ?

 

[9000ft]

Seriously can anyone name a rider who is fun ? extrovert, has charisma ?

Cippo, DZ to name a couple.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Cippo, DZ to name a couple.

You are joking !! he's 46 years old and from another era !
Who is DZ ?

 

[Cycle Chic]

Ok maybe he did joke around - but he's not PRESENT day !

 

[trailrunner]

You are joking !! he's 46 years old and from another era !
Who is DZ ?

Hey, Cipo was cool in his day.

DZ = Dave Zabriskie an american rider. I dunno, I think DZ is just plain weird. He thinks he is funny and cerebral, but I think his act is pretty lame. At any rate, I wouldn't call that personality.

I think Cycle Chic is mostly correct. Bike racers tend to be pretty boring. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat. Not many off-the-bike scandals or paparazzi following them when they go out on the town, or otherwise things to generate gossip or interest. Interviews would put anyone to sleep. On the other hand, my wife doesn't know a thing about soccer but became interested when she discovered David Beckham on the gossip sites.

 

[Cycle Chic]

....Not many off-the-bike scandals or paparazzi following them when they go out on the town, or otherwise things to generate gossip or interest.

Ohh wait a minute - Bradley Wiggins was caught smoking a cigarette in Majorca !

And - Andy Schleck went out on the town and had a drink during the Tour de France !

Woo hoooo.

 

[trailrunner]

http://www.tmz.com/2012/08/08/belgian-olympic-cyclist-partying-passed-out/

 

[ferryman]

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

That is some seriously impressive research you have been doing there CC

 

[Jalina]

I think Cycle Chic is mostly correct. Bike racers tend to be pretty boring. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat. Not many off-the-bike scandals or paparazzi following them when they go out on the town, or otherwise things to generate gossip or interest. Interviews would put anyone to sleep. On the other hand, my wife doesn't know a thing about soccer but became interested when she discovered David Beckham on the gossip sites.

I don't think it necessarily has to be papparazzi or gossip or scandals to generate the interest. In fact, I'd be disappointed to see it go that way. I don't buy any women's magazines or look at any gossip sites, I prefer proper journalism. I'd rather see some decent features on riders that are a little bit less about the technical and a bit more about the individual.

As I said in my original post, the sport itself has no idea how to use the riders to better the sport in even the most simple ways. The intrviewers need to lift their game and give an opportunity for the cyclists to present their personalities. Asking the same half dozen questions every time, after every race, to the same people.... no wonder the riders look bored sh*tless and give stock standard answers. There's no magazine style presentations featuring riders off the bike pre-race telecast, no "insight" into what makes X rider tick. And yes it is a risk, to push individuals out there as faces of the sport, a rider may "disappoint" the public and cause damage. But that is the risk every sport runs from a marketing perspective.

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.

There are personalities in the peloton. They exist. But at this point we have to go looking for them, they are not being presented to us in the way other sports present their stars. Women generally like someone to cheer for, someone to invest in. Give it to them, and they just might be that little bit more interested in the sport.

 

[auscyclefan94]

How on earth have you managed to turn this into a bit of gay bashing??? The discussion is about female participation and female fan numbers.

LOL!!!! @ blutto!

ETA: a simple reason why podium girls may be seen as bit offensive? They get more airtime than female cyclists, because female cycling generally isn't televised. When the most visible female participation in the sport is as a podium girl and not as an athlete.... simply doesn't seem right.

How am I gay bashing? That is an absurd comment.

 

[DirtyWorks]

... Just from general observation I know far more women who cycle to University than men. However I don't know any women who are seriously into one form of cycling etc. which seems quite odd.

I think women's cycling has huge potential and is something that will hopefully blossom over the following years.

Not likely. Bike riding is when money is tight. Part of the point of going to uni is a affording to own a car later in life. I think that's true most everywhere. The car remains a more powerful symbol of success than a bike.

 

[DirtyWorks]

As far as nobody talking to you when you first showed up, that's because roadies are snobbish jerks not because you're a girl. That kind of 'tude happens all the time.

Totally true. They remind me of thoroughbred horses, high strung, not good for much, and money pits.

The different speeds and dropping slower riders during the team rides is a perpetual problem. ... the clubs and local teams could do more. [/QUOTE]

Group training needs a different structure.

 

[Sanitiser]

Meh personality is overrated. There are a lot of sports where the best players (Federer for example) are boring but still women watch. I think it's more that
- cycle races are long and technical hence 'boring'
- lack of 'sex symbols'

 

[Cycle Chic]

That is some seriously impressive research you have been doing there CC

Ha I fell off my chair reading that. Its pretty obvious when theres a full lunch packet

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 ?

It would be much more interesting hearing about life in Monaco or Lucca where many riders live. As Jalina points out the interviews are being conducted by boring journo's...I mean no disprespect but David Walsh and Paul Kimmage arent gona ask interesting questions. On the other hand riders lead boring lives as Tyler Hamilton detailed.

Thats why LANCE brought huge publicity to the sport. He brought personality to the sport. (and other stuff but we wont go there).

 

[RedheadDane]

As Jalina points out the interviews are being conducted by boring journo's...

Not just boring, sometimes the questions are just totally idiotic!

Like after some really tough TdF stage last year when someone asked Lars Bak if it was hard...

And lets not forget that the riders tend to get the post-stage/race questions well... just after the race where their brains might be slightly off...

 

[Jalina]

Like after some really tough TdF stage last year when someone asked Lars Bak if it was hard...

And after some of CC's research earlier in the thread, that could have a whole other meaning!!!

 

[RedheadDane]

And after some of CC's research earlier in the thread, that could have a whole other meaning!!!

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

 

[Asturiano]

Seriously can anyone name a rider who is fun ? extrovert, has charisma ?

Purito Rodríguez, for example. I'm talking about charisma, not flamboyant or sexy.

I know he is not a cyclist anymore but I like the charisma of Pedro Delgado too.

In the 90's, Gianni Bugno was well apreciated by female audience.