Velovixen women’s cycling group has drunk the koolaid

[QuebecBagnet]

So it advertises itself as a women’s cycling group, it’s just a Facebook group. But nice to have a female space where you can talk about labia related saddle issues, etc.

It’s the sort of group where personal posts aren’t encouraged, got to be cycling related. People,don’t do introduction posts.

A new user has done a lengthy navel gazing “hi I’m new to the group post”. Which nobody does. Complete with photo where they totally look like a bloke. And of course in their paragraphs and paragraphs of waffle they say they’re a trans woman.

Some people have started other posts saying they don’t feel comfortable, etc. Such people are getting called terfs, getting banned. Posts from admin saying we are inclusive to ALL women, telling us to be kind. And then switching comments off quickly. I hate being told to be kind. What they actually mean is “shut up little woman and do as you’re told, do what men want you to do “. I haven’t seen anyone actually be unkind to this individual but accept maybe someone has been and it was deleted. Just so pissed off, nowhere is safe.

Sorry to hear about your group. And you are right, nowhere is safe, it's almost as if spaces are deliberately found and targeted. I know it's not the same as a Facebook group but Mumsnet has a cycling section, although it's quite quiet and hidden under "in the club".

I saw it too OP. I really really wanted to comment! Esp to the woman who has a 9yr old tran 🙄

But I have taken myself off the group instead.

Interesting that others have made additional posts on there about how uncomfortable they feel. It’s obvious they’d be called out on it.

I just left as I CBA with that shit

I think that person joined on IWD to make a point.

They live in Australia, are they really going to buy women’s cycling clothes (which won’t have padding in the right places) from a UK website?

I haven’t left as I don’t want to be pushed out of a space by a man. A handmaiden posted about a young person who has been through male puberty who is racing as a woman, lots of people liked a post saying they were pushing other women out of the team.

Yes I think the 150 comments annoyed me. Others don’t really introduce themselves but if they did there would not be 150 comments. Sycophantic hand maidens falling over themselves. It’s embarrassing.

@LizziesTwin

I think that person joined on IWD to make a point.

They live in Australia, are they really going to buy women’s cycling clothes (which won’t have padding in the right places) from a UK website?

I haven’t left as I don’t want to be pushed out of a space by a man. A handmaiden posted about a young person who has been through male puberty who is racing as a woman, lots of people liked a post saying they were pushing other women out of the team.

I saw that too… the original poster was happy to share but she certainly wasn’t up to debating it

@QuebecBagnet

Yes I think the 150 comments annoyed me. Others don’t really introduce themselves but if they did there would not be 150 comments. Sycophantic hand maidens falling over themselves. It’s embarrassing.

Yes, it was embarrassing. Not something I want to be part of due to how sycophantic it all was

Female socialisation is so strong. It used to happen here all the time, lots of fawning whenever a man blessed us with his presence.

Maybe a menopausal woman should join & make a similar post about feeling uncomfortable through puberty, fighting their way through education, society’s norms, the struggles of childbirth, heavy periods, anaemia, then hot flushes, weight gain, osteoporosis etc with a photo and see how many welcoming posts they receive.

Bearing in mind the group is set up and run by a women's clothing brand, I do think leaving is a good way to demonstrate this nonsense doesn't help their business.

@LizziesTwin

Maybe a menopausal woman should join & make a similar post about feeling uncomfortable through puberty, fighting their way through education, society’s norms, the struggles of childbirth, heavy periods, anaemia, then hot flushes, weight gain, osteoporosis etc with a photo and see how many welcoming posts they receive.

Love this idea!

@lovelyweathertoday

Female socialisation is so strong. It used to happen here all the time, lots of fawning whenever a man blessed us with his presence.

Now you only ever come across a man in the sex thread!

@LizziesTwin

Maybe a menopausal woman should join & make a similar post about feeling uncomfortable through puberty, fighting their way through education, society’s norms, the struggles of childbirth, heavy periods, anaemia, then hot flushes, weight gain, osteoporosis etc with a photo and see how many welcoming posts they receive.

Yes! 😀

The couple who founded it say: "In 2012, they launched VeloVixen - inspired equally by a reaffirmed love of cycling and by the problems Liz encountered finding great clothing for the trip. Today, their two cycling-mad young daughters are living testament of the power of cycling!"

So clothing for women. Not men who identify as women.

I received a marketing email from VeloVixen last night, appropriately entitled'Escape from Reality'. This was my response:

Thanks for your message but I’m afraid I can no longer support your business. This week I have been horrified to see a woman driven out of your associated Facebook group for her objection to the welcome given to a trans identifying man. You present your group as ‘women’ focused yet accept males, which is disingenuous, and then upbraid a woman for pointing this out and accuse her of making the group ‘unsafe’.
I find myself wondering how you would feel if Laura Kenny lost a title to a man identifying as a woman.

That's a shame, I've bought a lot of clothing from them in the past - it's difficult to find female-fitting cycling clothing in shops. I'll have to find somewhere else.

I am in that group too. For years cycling clothing for women was in the “pink it and shrink it” mould. VeloVixen were really important for brining proper womens kit to the masses. It’s a shame they have gone down this route.
I also saw someone post the Pippa York video then another woman posted the Women’s Rights Network video debunking PY’s outrageous claims! Well done that woman.

Christ they really know how to alienate their target market.

@Plasmodesmata

Sorry to hear about your group. And you are right, nowhere is safe, it's almost as if spaces are deliberately found and targeted. I know it's not the same as a Facebook group but Mumsnet has a cycling section, although it's quite quiet and hidden under "in the club".

I think they are, there is no need to announce yourself, we have had transsexuals quietly going about their business for years as men or women without drawing attention to themselves. the announcements are part of TRA movement.

And sure enough after initially saying we wouldn’t hear much from them as they’re very quiet. Today there’s been a post with a photo of them in exceedingly tight pink lycra talking about their tummy pudge and how they love their unicorn top. 🤮

Now the rules of the group strictly have been cycling posts only. You’re only meant to talk about yourself one day a week on “tell us Tuesday “ when the rules are relaxed. Obviously the rules don’t apply if you have a penis.

Odd isn’t it for all the talk of feeling like a woman how they act like men. Announcing their presence, thinking people give a shit, seeking validation, ignoring rules.

@Plasmodesmata

Sorry to hear about your group. And you are right, nowhere is safe, it's almost as if spaces are deliberately found and targeted. I know it's not the same as a Facebook group but Mumsnet has a cycling section, although it's quite quiet and hidden under "in the club".

Of course they are targeted.

It's not accidental, it's a deliberate intrusion into women's spaces.

OP, I'm sorry. The upside is that while some will try and buy into the bekind bullshit, plenty of people will get an insight into what actually drives this movement.

I also left and will be emailing them why. Appalling behaviour.
The individual who joined will 100% have peaked a few people though.

@QuebecBagnet

And sure enough after initially saying we wouldn’t hear much from them as they’re very quiet. Today there’s been a post with a photo of them in exceedingly tight pink lycra talking about their tummy pudge and how they love their unicorn top. 🤮

Now the rules of the group strictly have been cycling posts only. You’re only meant to talk about yourself one day a week on “tell us Tuesday “ when the rules are relaxed. Obviously the rules don’t apply if you have a penis.

Odd isn’t it for all the talk of feeling like a woman how they act like men. Announcing their presence, thinking people give a shit, seeking validation, ignoring rules.

So now this individual is simply using the group for affirmation. And no doubt many women will (for some inexplicable reason) be willing to provide this 'service'.