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GypsyRR wrote:1. I really am interested in the psyche of the human mind and for some reason this incident got me really wondering why this man so readily responded to his private thoughts without concern for my feelings and did so without even first questioning his interpretation of the situation or his motives.

This is what made me think the fellow was.. stupid (for lack of a better word, hey its 2am). I think this is a sign of intelligence.. to perceive carefully how someone else will interpret your comments.. or maybe thats just insecurity to overevaluate everything you say.. but then if you are overly confident in your words/actions (like the guy you met), thats bad too! Humans just cant win. Damn, why cant we all just be ants, they have it figured out...follow the leader.

GypsyRR wrote: 2. And mostly I was wondering if it is offensive to men that a woman rides a bike. I know that most of you on this board do not find it offensive, but I do wonder if the general population of "non-riders" find it offensive, odd, or "just not right" and that it "ruins everything" if a woman rides a bike.

There's nothing hotter than a woman riding a bike (and not sitting shotgun)!! I guess it does break some mental models of the typical bike rider, but the excentricity is what makes it attractive (for me). BTW, the same holds for sports cars.

GypsyRR wrote:And to NHighCotton who said, "I'm always happy to see women riders but, I notice they seem stuck-up, especially at gas pumps." I'm not stuck up.......just shy and scared of men like "Bubba".

I dont know any women riders, so I cant really comment, but my guess is that the attitude has little to do with the bike.

My interest is the bike, and the ride. If a women likes the same thing, good on her. It is not a "male" only pastime.
I know quite a few women who ride bikes. the Ulysses Club is packed with middle, and older aged women, who have a ball riding, just like we do.
Do we make fun of male housewifes? I dont, but I wont be doing it.
I wish more women rode bikes, saves looking at boring old farts at the cafe.

I wouldn't read too much into it, Gypsy. These characters are out there, men and women, and it's our job to navigate past these boulders that sometimes pop up in the rapids of motorcycling. Stupidity knows no gender.

I had an encounter yesterday that (you all have probably experienced) that speaks to the first question you had, GypsyRR. As I pulled into the 4-lane entrance of the local Wal-Mart parking lot a guy in an older red convertible that I was passing decided (without signaling) to go left - into me! I slowed to get behind him but he came over too fast so I honked (2 beeps) and crossed the center line (fortunately no oncoming traffic) to avoid getting knocked over. As I pulled around his front bumper he swerved towards me, intentionally. I turned left into the gas station and as I picked up the nozzle (sound familiar?) he stopped in the middle of the road and shouted "You're a F... A...". I had to laugh as the situation was so bizarre it was comical ( the sad part was the kids in the car beside me probably heard it too). From his reaction he must've thought I was nuts because he got scared and took off.

The universal truism here, I think, is you don't have to be right to think you are right, and the more convinced you are of your own rightousness, the less informed you may be (and the more likely you are to announce it to the world).

The other thing I'm taking away from this episode is to ride like you're invisible because he obviously didn't see me beside him.

It usually takes smart, insightful women to help men realize that we first need to *THINK* about what we are going to say and then *EDIT* that thought before it leaves our mouths.

We men don't know to do this instinctively. Women have to teach us....

When we *do* edit what we are going to say, the process usually goes something like this: will what I'm about to say get me into a fight or cause others think that I'm an idiot? Do I feel like taking the chance? I pretty sure I can kick that guy's ass, but will I injure myself in the process? How many beers did I have anyway??

I'm too old to fight. I think I'll just keep my mouth shut and drink more...

Harry you should have just yelled back."Takes one to know one." "What you say is what you are!" "Nanny nanny boo boo!"

I like that, Boxer. Or; stick and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!

Or you could even go to mama's; your mama's so fat, the back of her neck looks like a pack of hot dogs!

Your mama's so fat, when she walks down the street, the cops say:
break it up, break it up!

GypsyRR wrote:
What is .... the brain damage that would prompt a man to make a comment like that?

I think you got it right there, Gypsy. The po' boy was brain damaged and, like Harry said, lost his ability to process and edit his dumb a*s statements before they hit the vocal cords. 'Course, most guys will say anything to get the attention of a purdy girl. DAMHIK. We just hope it comes out better than that.

Well, Gypsy and all,
I am going to chime in. I will share my Deep Thoughts by Just-Beeming

Just what I notice and learn as I go. I promise not to get too political.

People; are not always the same 'place' at the same time.
There was a time in this country that certain people of our society had to ride in the back of the bus. It was wrong, but some people had a hard time when society values changed. Remember school integration??? It was a BIG BIG deal to some people.

For some people the wheels turn much slower than others.
Much slower!


Not just as a woman but as an avid rider.... I have to role model that it is not a big deal. We girls are out numbered.... that is ok...but I try to not allow the surprised encounters' to over do it. Why they notice is up to them. As Shamen pointed out, some just have preconceived ideas.

We all, as riders carry this responsibility to be gently assertive about our place on the road! To carry the banner so to speak, for mutual respect.

When I put my protective gear on before I ride, I must also gear my attitude for the unexpected. Whether that be on the road or with people I encounter.
We all know one of the BEST things about riding is the people we encounter. 99% possitive.

I had an elder gentleman come up to me a few weeks ago at a produce farm...
"Seeing how your a woman and all," he starts the conversation....'How long have you been riding?" I politely told him 'Oh, off and on most of my life.' We talked about the bike for a moment then I noticed 'you bought some cabbage today. The cabbage are beautiful.' He started telling me stories about some guy he knew that lived in alaska who grew giant cabbage the size of....blah blah blah....you understand.
I de-railed what he saw as a unusual. Hopefully he left the situation thinking that he just talked to that nice motorcycle rider who also got some beautiful cabbage.

I think for some of you who have read my threads before know my philosophy....riding is not a novelty....whether you are male or female.

It is not about sexy black leather, sleeping around, drinking till you puke or having a filthy mouth. (not theres anything wrong with those activities...just doesn't fit with riding).
It is a serious passion that is essential for my sense of well being. It feeds my inner soul and I thank my parents, husband and children for supporting it.

So....boy I got a little long winded there....
The challenge I have as a woman is finding peers who share my passion....hey...that's why I'm here online right?

I kid you not,
Yesterday there was a good chill in the air and that afternoon I was out for a spin and to fill up.
So I pull into this BP and do the swipe and fill, oddly enough I was thinking about Gypsys comments when another rider pulled in. Now it's chilly enough that most light weights would do the car thingy but, no matter.

Anyway I glance over and give a quick wave and notice that this person looks like a girl and when she stepped off her crusier I could tell that those hips were definitely female.
My first thought was that she's pretty brave to be riding in this weather and traffic plus she's decked out in leathers and chaps, so.....cool.

Well, about the time I put the hose up she's standing there looking at me and says, oh, I thought you were a girl ......would you happen to know where Allure Hair salon is?

I gave a slight chuckle and said, yes, matter of fact I do.

Strange.

NHighCotton wrote:I'm always happy to see women riders but, I notice they seem stuck-up, especially at gas pumps.

I guess you were wrong this time!

GypsyRR wrote:

NHighCotton wrote:I'm always happy to see women riders but, I notice they seem stuck-up, especially at gas pumps.

I guess you were wrong this time!

Yep, I guess so but, isn't it strange that one wearing a helmet would be looking for a hair Salon?

On second thought, maybe not

I did not think that there was any male thought process. Why think?

It's a colonial thing

Over here women ride what they want and are just accepted.

single650 wrote:It's a colonial thing

Over here women ride what they want and are just accepted.

No offense, but I'm guessing that in England you'll find lots and lots of men *and* women on two wheels considering how much petrol costs.

How much is gas in England now anyway??

P.S. Tony Blair rocks! (Sorry for getting political, Doug)

I was out and about again this weekend (see Texas in October posted in Great Rides section) and encountered various responses from different genders. I think of all the people I met and visited with on my 7 hour ride this weekend, 80% of them expressed some level of "disbelief" that I ride a bike and ride alone. There were only 3 men who did not seem surprised at all that a girl was riding a bike and a BMW at that. One was an older guy at a gas station where I stopped to make a call. He was just impressed as could be at the boxer engine and told me his clycling stories of 40 years ago. Then the other two were both BMW riders having lunch at a cafe in Bellville, Texas. They never expressed anything but acceptance and a sort of "kinship". Certainly this is not a scientific study, but so far, it does appear that BMW riders are more "sophisticated" in this area.

80% of them expressed some level of "disbelief" that I ride a bike and ride alone.

I bet they thought...'how does she even manage to kick start it'...

DJ

A female Harley rider at the Riders' Roost motorcycle campground once told me, " I can always tell when someone is a BMW rider. The come late, they leave early, and they can read." As stereotypes go, this one isn't too bad.


mac

GypsyRR wrote:I was out and about again this weekend (see Texas in October posted in Great Rides section) and encountered various responses from different genders. I think of all the people I met and visited with on my 7 hour ride this weekend, 80% of them expressed some level of "disbelief" that I ride a bike and ride alone.

A couple of years ago, several of us ventured from Arizona to Custer, South Dakota, for the Volksmarch up to the Crazy Horse monument. While we were there, we met a young lady from somewhere in the mid-west. This young lady sold her house, moved all of her belongings into storage, and bought a BMW. At that time, she was on her second or third month on the road, alone; she planned on being on the road for six or so months. The only thing that crossed my mind was how I envied her; gender never came into my mind. I think there may be a pic of her in the Great Rides Section.

I really don't have much to add; this thread just reminded me of her and the fun we had together.

ProductUser

I sometimes encounter quizzical looks from people when I'm on my Harley or BMW out in the sticks. Not too many Asians ride out in the wilderness from what I've seen, so this makes sense to me. Most Asian-Americans in the U.S. seem to gravitate to sportbikes.

Stereotypes exist for people like us to break down. Just as Asian-Americans aren't always quiet little geeks (OK, so I'm a LOUD, fat geek!), neither are women bound to the passenger seat.