Cycle News

VOL. 55 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 11, 2018 P103 contrived confliction between the two, but do they need to conflict? "Don't be fooled by the make- up…" one segment stated. What exactly is makeup "fooling us" into believing? That femininity and motocross are mutually exclusive? I never got that memo. So what exactly is the right way to reach out to female riders? It's hard to say, even for me. In the past I've been asked to write articles for women about riding. "Something for our female readers, like tips for women rid- ers, you know?" Hmm, nothing immediately springs to mind and that's because we don't really do it differently, that I'm aware of. As far as riding and technique, it's not like men do it this way and women do it that way. The me- chanics of it are the same. There might be specific techniques for shorter riders or lighter riders, but again, that's not necessarily gender specific. The only real tip for women I've come up with over the years is to consider the color of your sports bra before you put on a white jersey. On the other hand, what tips do I have for men about women rid- ers? A lot of things spring to mind on that side, so let's flip the script for a moment. First off, let me say that the vast majority of men I come across are super cool and very supportive of women riders. That being said, there are others I come across who seem to miss the mark, and, of course, never seem to real- ize they've done anything wrong. Ironically, these guys might feel they're complimenting a woman rider, when in fact, they're doing the opposite. For example, the jokes about being "beaten by a girl." I hear it quite often, usually along the lines of, "I wonder if all those guys know they just got beat by a girl!" [laughter] You may think that's in some way complimentary, but think of it this way, would you say the same about your buddy Steve? "Hey Steve, I bet all those guys who finished behind you aren't feeling too good about themselves!" I'm willing to bet Steve doesn't find a compliment in there, and I don't either. Of course, I'm aware that the sentiment is well intentioned, so I just smile and nod. But let's unpack that for a moment: it really only serves as a reminder that you view me as different and that in your view I'm supposed to be second-rate. When I look out from under my helmet on the starting line, I don't feel different. I feel in my element, exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm pumped on a top-10 finish, but a reminder that finishing behind me is an insult because I'm held to a lower standard isn't exactly a high-five. Still, I get the point these guys are making: they find women racers extraordinary. And there's nothing wrong with that. I know a lot of girls who enjoy being regarded this way, like the rare, mystical unicorns of the moto- cross world, and that's fine. But what's amazing to you is normal to me. Like a lot of women riders, I respond to being treated like I'm normal, like I'm part of the sport and the community that I love, out here for the same reason everyone else is. The fact that I'm female is circumstantial. And there you have the edges of our proverbial sword. Are wom- en riders extraordinary? Or are we normal? Should we be treated as separate and different, or part of the same big picture? Are women who ride the exception to the rule? Or is it time to toss out the rule? What will be the underlying tone of your outreach? You probably won't find an approach that isn't going to rub some of us the wrong way. And maybe that's okay. The challenge with trying to classify an entire gender is that there are more differences within than without. (Meaning there are greater vari- ances among women themselves than there are between genders). In short, I don't have a defini- tive answer. But I'm sure glad you asked, and I look forward to the ideas and discussions. Clearly I have my own opinion, which is just that—an opinion. But allow me to point to this report from the MIC that shows a very clear trend: women riders are no longer the exception. Perhaps it is time for a new rule. CN

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