A question for all KB members

**Grub** · 20th February 2007, 13:41

It's not about the ride. It was *never* about the ride.

It's about sexism. Women made the lawmakers make the rules, now they don't want to play by them.

Yes the rules ARE stupid, they're way over the top and we have a whole govt department to enforce them and to take frivolous "complaints" seriously but anyone who deigns to point out this dichotomy gets rubbished and the double-standard is never acknowledged.

**Lissa** · 20th February 2007, 13:48

I want a spunky naked man avatar!!! Where can I get one?

Not quite sure why I wrote that

Originally Posted by Trudes aka Mrs Kendog

Geeze, now your saying everything on my mind!! Couldn't agree more babe, the Chick rides are like a polar bear on the beach, a novelty that doesn't happen all the time, so just enjoy it!

Cheers Trudes.... thats a great way of putting it.

**Joni** · 20th February 2007, 13:51

What are you on about Grub?
as Finn mentioned this is a website and there is only one rule maker here... and he is a HE, not a she...

Originally Posted by SpankMe

Of course they can organise their own rides. Thats the whole fucking point of the site. Any group of any description can organise any biker event they want.

Sprirt of KB, bollocks!

But hey, your call to think as you please!

You happen to be quite amusing when you beat that drum of yours....

**ManDownUnder** · 20th February 2007, 14:07

Originally Posted by Grub

It's not about the ride. It was *never* about the ride.

It's about sexism. Women made the lawmakers make the rules, now they don't want to play by them.

Yes the rules ARE stupid, they're way over the top and we have a whole govt department to enforce them and to take frivolous "complaints" seriously but anyone who deigns to point out this dichotomy gets rubbished and the double-standard is never acknowledged.

I hear what you're saying - and I have to admit I had to stop before I posted - I'm the one that always on about "them and us" ... and yet here I am supporting it.

WTF?

It's all about intent. Why is the ride being arranged? I can't answer that but I understand it's about providing a safe atmosphere that will encourage female bikers to go for a blast.

I understand it's going to be less bloody annoying if there aren't the usual gaggle of hormone driven boys harrassing them and showing off, hinting and flirting with them to get into their pants. Guys think like that 24x7... well... more than women. Maybe... just maybe women find that shit annoying, or at the very least would enjoy an occasion when they are not bothered with it. And biking is fun - isn't it? It must be nice to enjoy it without being hit on all the bloody time.

If it was an anti men thing then yeah - I'd be protesting. But I don't think it is. Knowing KeyStone19 - organiser of the Girly coffee run up this way - I expect the aim was anything but the disempowerment or subjugation of men. More a celebration of biking as a female.

Again - it's not a big deal

**mstriumph** · 20th February 2007, 14:13

I'd go on one if it was for lunch or something somewhere i particularly wanted to go or with people i particularly wanted to meet up with or along a route that interested me .... and it wouldn't bother me personally if guys went along as well

But girls stuff just for the sake of it being girls only? In fairness i can't help thinking that if 'discrimination' is unacceptable then ALL discrimination should be?

- heck - I'm the one that when approached to join at a CWA cake stall, told them they were an sexist organization .............. anzac biscuits notwithstanding

and, with the benefit of hindsight, it makes me uneasy that i once joined the girl guides

**Indiana_Jones** · 20th February 2007, 14:13

time for a men only ride!

STAYING...

PLAYING WITH THE BOYS!

but on a serious note, I don't really care if they want a girls only ride. But I do hate that BS about women's gyms etc, but hearing about women demanding male barber shops cater for them

-Indy

**ManDownUnder** · 20th February 2007, 14:28

Originally Posted by mstriumph

But girls stuff just for the sake of it being girls only?

Agreed - if that was the one and only reason then I'm on side with you.

I suspect it's not the only reason though. Root cause analysis may hold the answer - ask "why?" 5 times and see what you come out with.

i.e. that plane crashed!
Why? It hit the runway too hard!
Why? The pilot stuffed up
Why? He was too tired.
Why... you get the idea.

BS answers don't help... (not aimed at you msT... but I anticipate some creative answers among those that feel the need)

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 20th February 2007, 14:32

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

I suspect it's not the only reason though. Root cause analysis may hold the answer - ask "why?" 5 times and see what you come out with.

i.e. that plane crashed!
Why? It hit the runway too hard!
Why? The pilot stuffed up
Why? He was too tired.
Why... you get the idea.

BS answers don't help... (not aimed at you msT... but I anticipate some creative answers among those that feel the need)

cause he could...

**Shaun** · 20th February 2007, 14:33

Do what you want to do girls

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 20th February 2007, 14:42

I've decide theres to much blabbling about absolutely nothing and not enough riding... soooo..

I'm having a ride for "Just me's" will be meeting at the usual place and the usual time, going a completly unknown route

stopping for a coffee somewhere. You can come if you want too but don't expect me to speak or ride with you because your are not me.

**mstriumph** · 20th February 2007, 14:52

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

It isn't just about the actual riding:
The styles that men and women use to communicate have been described as "debate vs. relate", "report vs. rapport, or "competitive vs. cooperative". Men often seek straightforward solutions to problems and useful advice whereas women tend to try and establish intimacy by discussing problems and showing concern and empathy in order to reinforce relationships.
Jennifer Coates, in her book Women, Men and Language (New York: Longman Inc., 1986) studied men-only and women-only discussion groups and found that when women talk to each other they reveal a lot about their private lives. They also stick to one topic for a long time, let all speakers finish their sentences and try to have everyone participate. Men, on the other hand, rarely talked about their personal relationships and feelings but "competed to prove themselves better informed about current affairs, travel, sport, etc.". The topics changed often and the men tried to "over time, establish a reasonably stable hierarchy, with some men dominating conversation and others talking very little".

.....................

....... and people who generalise should be shot

straightforward solutions do it for me every single time ... and i didn't have any below the belt unfemale appendages last time i looked

and, as for 'showing concern and empathy' as a means unto an end - i'd think that was positively deceitful

sorry - did i interupt what you were saying?

ok - rant over
it's just that i loath and detest that quirk of human nature that makes us judge people and make sweeping assumptions based on criteria, like gender, creed, race, age, that are possibly irrelevant ........

**Finn** · 20th February 2007, 14:57

Originally Posted by mstriumph

....... and people who generalise should be shot

I don't think it was a generalisation, more of a cut and paste...

**mstriumph** · 20th February 2007, 15:01

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

Agreed - if that was the one and only reason then I'm on side with you......................

ooooops - didn't mean to imply i thought it was the only reason apropros this particular thread

- sorry - was philosophysing (sp?) .......... well, generalizing actually

and, therefore, should be shot .........

**Kinje** · 20th February 2007, 15:02

People organise rides on here for any number of different reasons-
: to get as many bikers along as possible just to go for a ride
: to go for a 'race' along the tight twisty back roads
: to go for a cruisy wednesday night ride
: to go to a particular event- track day, rally, or clothing show

There may even be numerous rides organised to go to the same event, a racey one or a cruisy one. People are free to choose which ride they go on, or they can choose not to go at all.

The nature of the ride dictates which one I would choose to go on. If someone suggested a ride to a clothing show where they met up, went to a cafe to talk about whatever a bunch of chicks talk about together, then rode to the event, I would most likely not join that ride and find another one or ride by myself. I do not feel excluded from a chicks ride, I choose not to join it as I doubt I would have a lot in common to talk about in this context.

There are rides organised on here that do suit me and I do join and enjoy. The nature of those rides are in line with what I enjoy doing so choose to involve myself in.