What's the problem with mansplaining?

Words: Gracie Elvin

One of the best things about cycling is there is just so much to know and to learn – and this can be one of the worst things too. When you’re closer to the entry level of the sport than the top end, it can be quite intimidating and overwhelming not knowing about all the different equipment options, not having a high level of riding skills, and just lacking in general knowledge about the sport you are really starting to enjoy.

Enter the mansplainers. They can be found in the wild, out on your local trails, in bike shops, at the café, and very much online. They are (generally) a very well-intentioned subset of the community that can dish out advice on just about anything, and all for the low cost of absolutely nothing and without being asked!

What’s the problem?

As well-intentioned as unsolicited advice may be, it only comes across as annoying at best, and disrespectful at worst. Mansplaining can certainly happen to other men and while I can’t speak from personal experience, I can only imagine it can feel somewhat like a crank measuring competition, so to speak. In this column I will focus more on the impact it has on women, as there is still such a gender imbalance in the sport.

The general premise of mansplaining is that a woman’s knowledge and skill is inferior and therefore must be remedied by explaining how she could do something better or choose the “right” thing. The mansplainer is overconfident in his incomplete knowledge and assumes his advice is needed. Mansplainers feel like they are being helpful, when in actual fact all they are doing is diminishing the woman in front of them. After a very long history of women being underrepresented or excluded, all a woman hears is the threat “Who do you think you are trying to do this masculine sport?”

What if I think I am a mansplainer?

If you feel the urge to let a woman know what she should change or what she could do better while out on a ride, then take a breath and just don’t. That’s your ego buddy, not your good heart. Yell out a “whoop!” instead when she rips through a corner or over a jump, let her choose a trail or a whole ride, and if she ever wants to level up her skills (and says that directly) then you could suggest X coaching clinic where she will happily pay for expert advice. If she asks you specifically for advice, only address the question and not go into detail about every other thing she could work on or change.

If you work in a bike shop and you see a woman looking at specific products, ask first not only if she needs any help but what her level of knowledge of the product is and what her concerns are (and only after she says she does need help!). Many times I’ve been patronised and oversold on things I do know a lot about.

Above all, do not leave online comments about what she is doing wrong or why her equipment selection needs improving. If she posted something bike or riding related, it’s because she is proud of it. It already takes a little courage for women to post photos of themselves on their bike, so all you are doing is shooting her down with misguided commentary.

How do I stop a mansplainer?

If you are a woman (or a man) out on the trails and feel like you’re being mansplained to, there are a couple of responses that may help. Out riding you could say “Thanks mate, but I’m just out here to enjoy riding my bike today” or “I appreciate that you’re trying to help but at the moment I’m only working on X skill that my instructor showed me last week”, and if you’re feeling like it deserves it – “Thanks for the mansplain.”

Saying something in the moment can be helpful, and keeping it light and humorous can ease the ego bruise he may feel. Of course, only say something if you feel safe to do so. There are some situations where it is better to just say thank you and ride away, and I’m annoyed that I even have to write that at all.

So – don’t be that guy! Everyone is learning at their own speed, so save your pearls of wisdom until they are asked for. Pump up others’ confidence with words of encouragement instead and you might find yourself with a few more trail friends. You may never know if you are talking to an intimidated new rider or an Olympian, so just be cool and kind.

Thanks to Shane Paton from the Mobile Bicycle Workshop for letting us use these photoa – completely out of context!