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@Emilia
Back briefly to comment on this, even though gender-related threads bring me out in hives.
Yes, I think there should be a women's sub-forum. Because it's nice to be in a majority for once (men often find this difficult to understand - I guess the best analogy would be to point out that in the real world, cyclists are usually a minority). It'd be nice to join in with conversations without everyone either assuming you're a man, or knowing you're a woman and making other assumptions based on that. And without any contribution you make being read as a woman's opinion, rather than just a person's opinion. Although it shouldn't be the case, in some single-sex environments, gender ceases to be so much of an issue. (This is a regular argument for segregated schools, where apparently girls do much better at traditionally 'male' subjects, etc.)
And I'd like there to be more women's events - simply because I spend my working life surrounded by men, and although I enjoy it 90% of the time, a change is as good as a rest. Again, it would be reassuring and refreshing to turn up for a ride knowing you wouldn't be part of a very conspicuous minority.
It's not all about nice easily-paced rides and asking stupid questions. I'm not slow or stupid. I'd like to meet more girls I can race up hills and talk bike-geek with. At the same time, it would potentially be a much better environment for newbies. Four years ago I barely knew one end of a bike from another, and if it weren't for some very inspiring and supportive women, I'd probably still be commuting on a £99 hybrid from the Argos catalogue.
And yes, it would be nice to have somewhere to discuss period pains, and the whole shaving/waxing/depilating issue, without people going 'eeeeewwwww!', or making stupid jokes.
And yes, to be very clear about this, I left this forum because of the sexism. (Though I've got a lot out of it in the past, including lots of very good friends, and I'm grateful for that.)