Women's Quest's 'Bicycles for Women'
November 20th, 2007 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families
The other day my nine-year-old daughter and I took our bikes to the bike shop because, under my brilliant leadership, we had gone onto an off-road trail that left three of our four tires flat. Thorns, apparently.
Anyway, while waiting for our bikes to be repaired, we saw a large advertising poster for a company which specializes in "Bicycles for Women." I called my daughter over and told her, "Look at this--maybe this would be a good bicycle for mommy."
We read the sales pitch from former triathlete Colleen Cannon, founder of Women's Quest. I thought it would be an intelligent explanation of why their bikes were more comfortable for women than other companies' bikes. Instead, Cannon explained, "Meet the antidote to testosterone poisoning."
So typical--sexist and belittling to men, and another example of how so many supposedly strong, independent women can't work on their own project for 10 minutes without having to put men down in order to praise or promote it.
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November 20th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Is this ad serious? Exactly how long has the belittling of men been the main ingredient of women's empowerment? This is a serous problem with many movements. No matter how "hip" it may be it is not necessary to insult someone in order to gain traction for your cause and frankly it makes you look childish.
I wonder if NOW thinks this ad is offensive due to the perception this ad protrays that women are not able to deal with men on their own?
November 20th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
The good news is that such women who feel the need for "antidotes to testosterone poisoning" don't need to be paid for, housed, fed, or allowed to share the same address.
They don't NEED men - so don't let them marry, move in, or use your sperm to procreate.
And continue to remind women that since they apparently don't mind this sort of male-bashing advertising that they should not mind when their own role consists merely of recreational sexual partner. After all, they wouldn't want to engage in any sort of permanent relationship and risk "testosterone poisoning"........
November 20th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Okay, while it's a cute story (and oh-so-typical of "For Women" crap) - admit it Glenn, you're fibbing a bit with this part:
I thought it would be an intelligent explanation of why their bikes were more comfortable for women than other companies' bikes. Instead, Cannon explained, "Meet the antidote to testosterone poisoning."
You darned well knew what was coming when you saw the heading of that flyer.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
...Men = Bad; Women = Good...It's part of the culture now....We're also supposed to take for granted that women are discriminated against, even though they do not get killed on the job like men do, they live longer than men, file for most of the divorces and you won't find them resting in peace in military cemeteries. It's men who die in wars and are required to serve in the military. Poor, downtrodden, oppressed women get a pass on that...
November 20th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Oh well. You know, just because a lot of women spend most of their time in the gutter doesn’t mean we have to join them there.
Sooner or later people will realize that there are just as many screwed up women as there are men and all the focus on gender will fade. Only problem is that it might be a while before we get to that point.
Anyone remember the “strikes” that the “bra-burners” use to engage in? They were largely symbolic because no one was really affected by them.
Can you imagine the impact of a strike by men? We would return society to the Stone Age within a few days or a week.
There would be no utilities, no police, no public services, no national defense, no construction and the economy would crash and burn in just a week!
Anyone for a strike?
I can go for an indefinite period of time without any infrastructure at all. I think most men would have no problem lasting several weeks, or more, with a little advanced preparation.
It would be nice if we could organize this and put an end the BS. I’m tired of this pointless bickering.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
We had a similar thing at school, a 'women in business' day for the girls. Apparently, women need special help getting into business. I assume it's because of that Old Boys Network(C) that we all belong to which gives us infinite opportunities in everything. Never mind that female owned businesses are in fact subsidised by the government, again I am baffled as to why. Presumably women can run better businesses than men but because exactly 50% are not started by women the patriarchy must be a work.
It seems to me that people look for a way to favour women, then think of the justification afterwards.
Besides, most of the girls hated the 'women in business' seminar. My friend Emily was furious. Apparently she doesn't like being treated like she needs special help at doing anything, even if it is only because of 'the patriarchy'.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
That's too bad, because I was always impressed with Terry bicycles and how they describe their products:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=5&artlang=en
A womans body is not proportioned like mans. Not only is the length of her limbs different, so is the amount of muscle and the distribution of body mass. In fact, anthropomorphic studies show women to have roughly half the upper body strength that men do as a result of our shorter torso, fewer and smaller muscles fibers and additional body fat. What that translates to is a lower ratio of strength to weight and a disadvantage when it comes to comfort and performance - most bikes have top tube lengths that are appropriate for men but require a woman to sustain more force in her shoulders. For a man and woman of the same height, she will be more comfortable on a bicycle with a shorter top tube.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Interesting. Most radical feminists refuse to accept the idea that testosterone really has any bearing on the differences in the sexes -- it's all cultural, you know (yeah, right). That comment about testosterone poisoning is just their adorable, cute way of saying, "We're better than the evil, aggressive men." The fact is, men don't have to belittle women in this manner. We do our thing, and the women who hate us or belittle us -- well, for your own sake, ladies, just get out of our way before you get run over.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
From Jerry:
"A womans body is not proportioned like mans. Not only is the length of her limbs different, so is the amount of muscle and the distribution of body mass. In fact, anthropomorphic studies show women to have roughly half the upper body strength that men do as a result of our shorter torso, fewer and smaller muscles fibers and additional body fat. What that translates to is a lower ratio of strength to weight and a disadvantage when it comes to comfort and performance - most bikes have top tube lengths that are appropriate for men but require a woman to sustain more force in her shoulders. For a man and woman of the same height, she will be more comfortable on a bicycle with a shorter top tube."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now that is how you advertise a bike for women. No need to bash on men just lay out the facts. The female body is structured differently from the male body which is a biological fact (well the extreme feminists probably think this is cause by the patriarchy as well) that cannot not be denied. A company has come along to fill the need for women to purchase a bike that was designed for their frame.
Goodness is it really required to turn every difference between men and women into a pissing match?
November 20th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I'm gonna chime in with the same comment I always chime in with:
Men invented the bicycle. Men invented most everything. If this is "testosterone poisoning" then don't use men's inventions.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Its patriarchal to use bicycles anyway. The wheels represent the wheel of power and the rider sits on the top which represents subjugation of the bicycle by the rider. This is clearly indicated by lower price as compared to a car.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:10 am
I think the point has been missed. A woman who buys and works out on her own bike, will no longer need the testosterone injections she has been getting in order to compete on the same level as men..
November 21st, 2007 at 4:44 am
Several years ago a colleague returned from a school visit and proclaimed very loudly how good it was to get away from the "stench of testosterone". I was yea close to lodging a sexual harassment claim and was only prevented by a profuse apology and promise to never repeat from the woman concerned.
This type of thing is despicable. Can you imagine the reaction to any mention of stinky oestrogen?
November 21st, 2007 at 4:47 am
Such ads no longer surprise me.
Ads for a proper bike-seat, designed for men? Hah! Hard to find and yet it is men who have the need to prevent pain and for the heavy duty riders, damage.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Quote from the home page of Women's quest's website - "This is the spirit of Women’s Quest. Our world-class, all-female staff of former pro athletes, dance and yoga instructors, and supporting staff are committed to helping women reach their full potential in an atmosphere that is supportive, friendly and non-competitive. "
wow, gender exclusion is aparently ok with them, along with misandry.
Googleing the term "bicycles for women" returns as it's top ranked hit - "Team estrogen.com". What's there is a pretty basic explanation that men and women are built and move different.
Terry bicycles.com "The women at work notice I speak more highly and frequently about my bike than my boyfriend." Aside from that, not a lot of commentary.
Yeah, it seems that the company I work for has a monthly "lets celebrate anyone who's not a straight white english speaking guy in the industry, while the aforementioned straight white english speaking guys are covering your absence."
I'm all for a boycott / strike. I've already started with Pizza Hut (and any other pepsi-co affiliate), Kohler, every jewelry store, Boston Market, a growing number of cleaning products, not to mention that I've put off dating altogeather. I can think of a few cars and other services I'm going to be avoiding.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:29 pm
What did Boston Market do? I eat there sometimes and would be happy to participate in a boycott if appropriate.
(the last time I went there the idiots were out of chicken!).
November 21st, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Foo Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Okay, while it's a cute story (and oh-so-typical of "For Women" crap) - admit it Glenn, you're fibbing a bit with this part:
I thought it would be an intelligent explanation of why their bikes were more comfortable for women than other companies' bikes. Instead, Cannon explained, "Meet the antidote to testosterone poisoning."
You darned well knew what was coming when you saw the heading of that
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You know I did not think that way I still do not most of the time but with constantly being slapped in the face with it I am preparing myself more and more for it and the frequency of my thinking that there will be a male bashing message is increasing daily. What a shame ) - :
November 21st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
jerry Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
That's too bad, because I was always impressed with Terry bicycles and how they describe their products:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=5&artlang=en
A womans body is not proportioned like mans. Not only is the length of her limbs different, so is the amount of muscle and the distribution of body mass. In fact, anthropomorphic studies show women to have roughly half the upper body strength that men do as a result of our shorter torso, fewer and smaller muscles fibers and additional body fat. What that translates to is a lower ratio of strength to weight and a disadvantage when it comes to comfort and performance - most bikes have top tube lengths that are appropriate for men but require a woman to sustain more force in her shoulders. For a man and woman of the same height, she will be more comfortable on a bicycle with a shorter top tube
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OOOOOOOO, you are bad!!!! Are you actually saying that women are not the same or equal to men? . . . for shame . . .
b
November 21st, 2007 at 7:47 pm
by the way when I was a kid girls bikes were walk through
b