You are not a dummy
I had a lovely woman come into the studio yesterday and we discussed gears on bicycles and how they worked. Apparently she didn’t know how to use them and nobody helped her learn.
This post is to all the women in the world who get frustrated with bicycles and elitist riders who make them feel badly. In a word, don’t. You learn things differently than men and it is ok!
You don’t have to know it all and you won’t learn it in a day. Don’t let your lack of knowledge or frustration that other people know more than you hold you back. You know things that we don’t!
This blog is here for you. Ask questions. Comment. You have a resource right here.
Thank you all for reading and commenting.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
From my experience, most men don’t really understand gearing either, but because they’re men won’t admit they don’t know. Most people, regardless of gender, don’t understand gearing. Not only do they not know that changing out a cassette for another that has only a 1 tooth difference can make a huge difference, but don’t even know that the cassette can be switched out.
A great rule of thumb I learned from a male friend was that if your gearing, riding, and fitness level are such that you’re not using the full spectrum of gears, you probably need to rethink the ratios.
Anyway, we learn differently in that we actually ask questions, kinda like asking for directions before we get lost beyond all comprehension. That’s why you’ll see more men blow out their knees pushing too big gears. heh-heh
Hi Lydia,
Thanks so much for your insightful comments. I always advise women to become self sufficient because the advice they get from men can be wrong! I also find that once the barriers are broken down, women can learn all sorts of stuff. They can choose to have another help them on the side of the road but they also won’t allow people to pull the wool over their eyes.
Keep in touch and keep commenting!
Thanks again,
Kevin