On 6/12/19 2:35 PM, Wilson Wilson wrote:
I made a long winded response which deleted verses posted. Here is the short version. I have found
this amusing to read. Historically, when there are people who are viewed as " in need"
those making issue are White. The mindset comes from the years of good and bad experience. There is
a study which I am going to paraphrase as " we do not need your help". What it points out
is the lack of exposure to a number of USA norms unequally distributed due to not just specifically
race, but statistics.
To Steve, who keeps raving on about the cyclist of the DMV, those cyclist are
mentally stuck in the Lance Armstrong age of cycling. That every moment on the
bike is competition mindset.
That may well be true of GII and the racing clubs; it's definitely not
true of Oxon Hill.
But regardless of their motivations, my point was simply that /they're
there./ As opposed to those who say /they're not there because they
like some other sport better for cultural reasons. /I think it's worth
exploring /why/ it is that they're there when in other areas they're
conspicuously absent.
Their volumes at events in the surrounding area is about rewards, not just
getting out to ride. My opinion, yeah sure- try sitting in on one of their
group rides.
Definitely not my cup of tea; I suspect you'd be much happier on one of
my rides, which are much more about scenery, companionship and
interesting routes than they are about competition. But, I don't
expect that other riders need to share my view of what riding is about.
While those paceline-centric or Strava KOM mindsets are nothing I'm
comfortable with, I know there are many people who live for that sort of
thing. We accommodate both views in Oxon HIll. (And, in fact, there
are several leading lights in Oxon Hill who also ride with GII, etc.)
I log hours of miles annually. I have invited those who head that group in
SoMD to ride with me at distance, somewhere unfamiliar, during bad weather, or
off road. They all run hide.
There are plenty who see me as the big risk taker because I'm willing to
lead a ride when there's as much as a 35% chance of rain. And let's
not even talk about the "dangers of riding on wet roads." But there
again, different tastes -- and that's not wrapped up in color, those are
equal-opportunity fears, whether they're justified or not. (Note, here
I am speaking specifically about rain and wet roads, not other factors
such as hostility of the people who live in the area towards women or
people of color.)
Also, the exclusive "Afro centric" nature of cycling together is not appealing
to me.
I don't know those groups well enough to know whether it's actually
"exclusive 'Afro centric'" or just "mostly." Obviously, Black Ski's
name speaks for itself, but I'm pretty sure GII has a mix of riders
based on my fleeting recollections. However, on centuries my attention
is for obvious reasons focused elsewhere rather than taking note of the
demographics of the groups that pass me.
I feel for the woman of color who find interest in cycling in the area. They
can be seen riding with a similar ignorant confidence. What is the largest
danger is the lack of education to the real bike and vehicular laws. The bike
shop in Waldorf has gone leaps and bounds to treat anyone who walks in the door
without pause for years. I gained respect for cycling thanks to the folks who
worked there years ago. Now that place is its own thing.
I agree, their success is well deserved. Everyone who shops at a bike
shop deserves respect, and it's no surprise that treating customers with
respect generates loyalty.
I do have to take issue with your broad characterization of cycling
women of color: those I know personally are anything but ignorant.
--
Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA
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