2011-04-03 Sun - Cambridge ride. Fixed-wheel bicycle required

Well, no, don't want to post it on the Women's forum, it's for women, that's how I see it.

I ask because we had a really good mix for the camping trip last year, it was ace having plenty of women there, stops things getting all macho-bullshit.

OK so I have a serious question - I would like to address the gender gap on LFGSS rides somehow: what do people think of attempting to engineer the mix of riders by capping the number if men that can sign up?
It'd be such a good thing to ride with a genuinely mixed bunch of riders. And get rid of that feeling that a forum ride is a bit like some kind of funny stag trip.

So many potential joke that could be made in respose to this, all of which would just exacerbate the problem.

Seriously tho, capping numbers strikes me as a rather negative approach to the problem, are there any ways we can think of to encorage women to sign up to this ride?

I'll help with the lady demographic and so will my wife (not actually married).
Maybe advertise something in the ladies section?

1.Skully
2.Skive

1. jayloo (maybe guapo, university paper depending)
   
2. betty
   
3. jcgarcia
   
4. Damo. Maybe.
   
5. jaygee
   
6. middleofnowhere
   
7. bikegang
   
8. atticus
   
9. Fox
   
10. Stix
    
11. Wicksie
    
12. Mrs. Wicksie
    

Maybe I was being slightly serious, remember when polo and rollas did Valentines versions?

Maybe if there was something like that? Everyone who attends must bring a partner of the opposite gender? Who can ride a bike?

Ok. My mishtak. Not sure about this as I don't want it to sound too hetero couple ish. Just glad to see some women signing up, would like to encourage that.

Would love to come, but have only gears and no girl...

Cool, Joni. Job done, really, just wanted to make a point about that.

I agree. I know I sound flippant and joky, but I'm serious as well.
(enigma wrapped in a mystery etc etc)

I don't know how best to encourage a more mixed ride. I liked the polo/rolla version as it was entirely jokey.

I know that any ride that you're involved in is not about blasting it and is all about enjoying the world and the company with you. Forum rides are supposed to be like this aren't they?

Short of making sure that it's clearly advertised as an experience rather than a macho fest, I'm not sure what else can be done.

Nice mix in the list so far. I have never found the forum Summer rides to be that "macho-bullshit". Fixed only might discourage some ladies though*.

*made me think twice about it.

Good point Jay.

skully, not sure how to encourage the participation of more women on the ride apart from suggesting you promote it, or get one of the female riders who've signed up to promote it in the ladies forum.
One of the things we have to balance out.

anyway, race training legs recovery dependent I'm in..

1.Skully
2.Skive

1. jayloo (maybe guapo, university paper depending)
   
2. betty
   
3. jcgarcia
   
4. Damo. Maybe.
   
5. jaygee
   
6. middleofnowhere
   
7. bikegang
   
8. atticus
   
9. Fox
   
10. Stix
    
11. Wicksie
    
12. Mrs. Wicksie
    
13. Blackfoot
    

Quite, I would have like to get my gears out (no jokes required here) but I understand where you're coming from.

I've mentioned it to the ladies in the sub forum btw, all discreet like.

Everyone who attends must bring a partner of the opposite gender? Who can ride a bike?

homophic? Of sorts?
#notserious
#butwouldn'tlikethis

:)

I've mentioned it to the ladies in the sub forum btw, all discreet like.

Very lady like.

Am sure more will sign up for this when they see it
Looking forward to it !

I think the tone of the OP is spot on. Sounds like a lovely amble through the countryside.

I'm sure the usual subtle guidance will be in force...

1.Skully
2.Skive

1. jayloo (maybe guapo, university paper depending)
   
2. betty
   
3. jcgarcia
   
4. Damo. Maybe.
   
5. jaygee
   
6. middleofnowhere
   
7. bikegang
   
8. atticus
   
9. Fox
   
10. Stix
    
11. Wicksie
    
12. Mrs. Wicksie
    
13. Blackfoot
    
14. Upstart
    

Always a pleasure to ride with you, Stix. Srsly.

I'd like to, but hugely depends on how much practice I can get on a borrowed fixed (bro-in-law's). Also, I'm ver slow at the best of times...

Hoefla
If you rode a single speed, but just never coasted, would we know?

Let us know how you get on with it.

Why are you waiting until the B181 to get off the Epping Road, when you can take the B182, which is a nice sweeping shallow descent, has a good road surface, and an easy left turn at the forked junction with the B181?

I don't give a shit really, but where would we get - as a species - without questions? I don't really give a shit about that either.

I couldn't do it with a clear conscience
Besides downhills would be too tempting!

We'd get somewhere. But whether that would be where we wanted to go, I don't know.

@bmmf
cause that what the other route did.
thanks for the tip, any more?

investigating maps and street view and things now.

route updated to dodge epping.

bit of a detour, but after Newton turn off towards the Shelfords so you can roll into town on the DNA path?