John Schmidt

I am sorry, but EWWW ! I wouldn't want to see that.

On Fri, Sep 21, 2018 at 2:59 AM EAL via OBRA wrote:

> With all due respect to both sides of the argument, I saw those lights up
> close and they didn't look like "those kind" of balls. Not to offend
> anyone, and by way of illustration only, these are "those kind" of bike
> light balls.
>
> Ed
>
> Cycling Balls
>
> $11.99
> Cycling Balls
>
> Become the ultimate Bike Baller Shot Caller. Be safe, be bold and be seen
> with Cycling Balls. Do you have the Ba...
>
>
>
>
> On Thursday, September 20, 2018, 7:13:46 PM PDT, Adam Kachman via OBRA <
> obra@list.obra.org> wrote:
>
>
> Agree completely. While it may not have been the direct intent the effect
> was the equivalent of seeing a pair of them hanging off the trailer hitch
> of some dudes truck... I'm sure / I hope that they simply wanted a way to
> provide safety lights for the later races, but the optics were not great
> and one does not have to make a cognitive leap to land on associating them
> with men and all of the tropes that go along with it. OBRA can and needs to
> do better in many ways, and this is one of them.
>
> Everyone out there needs to be acknowledging, respecting, and empowering
> all of our WTF athletes from the governing body, to promoters, teams,
> participants, and spectators.
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

EAL

With all due respect to both sides of the argument, I saw those lights up close and they didn't look like "those kind" of balls.  Not  to offend anyone, and by way of illustration only, these are "those kind" of bike light balls.
Ed
Cycling Balls

|
|
|
| $11.99 | |

|

|
|
| |
Cycling Balls

Become the ultimate Bike Baller Shot Caller. Be safe, be bold and be seen with Cycling Balls. Do you have the Ba...
|

|

|

On Thursday, September 20, 2018, 7:13:46 PM PDT, Adam Kachman via OBRA wrote:

Agree completely. While it may not have been the direct intent the effect was the equivalent of seeing a pair of them hanging off the trailer hitch of some dudes truck... I'm sure / I hope that they simply wanted a way to provide safety lights for the later races, but the optics were not great and one does not have to make a cognitive leap to land on associating them with men and all of the tropes that go along with it. OBRA can and needs to do better in many ways, and this is one of them.

Everyone out there needs to be acknowledging, respecting, and empowering all of our WTF athletes from the governing body, to promoters, teams, participants, and spectators.

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Josh

I���m just trying to understand the original post here... Are there people (men) who are upset about women wearing light balls during their race?

Steve Westberg

Completely disagree. If people want to put something on their bikes or wear a certain outfit that is their choice. If someone is offended by it then that is their choice.

Don't try and put this whole bigger meaning on what people do at bike races - especially cyclocross races. And don't let your choice to be personally offended kill the fun atmosphere that I love at Oregon races.

Adam Kachman

Agree completely. While it may not have been the direct intent the effect was the equivalent of seeing a pair of them hanging off the trailer hitch of some dudes truck... I'm sure / I hope that they simply wanted a way to provide safety lights for the later races, but the optics were not great and one does not have to make a cognitive leap to land on associating them with men and all of the tropes that go along with it. OBRA can and needs to do better in many ways, and this is one of them.

Everyone out there needs to be acknowledging, respecting, and empowering all of our WTF athletes from the governing body, to promoters, teams, participants, and spectators.

Spencer Bushnell

As a person who has raced in OBRA for going on 15 years, I was confounded by the addition of glowing "balls" to the womens' field last night. While in fun, it suggests that the field needs the "balls" to race, that they have "balls" etc etc. One knows that we have a kick ass women's scene, that is welcoming to all. One doesn't need balls to race, or to ride hard, or to ride. This attitude perpetuates gender disparity, much like heckling "you're getting chicked" or "dont be a p___y". There are ways to have fun, and heckle, that promote an equal playing field. The glowing balls failed in that respect. OBRA is inclusive. Lets act like it. Long live OBRA and its many volunteers, helpers, friends, and racers. See you at the races. Ride fast and take chances.

my 2 cents,

Spencer
cis white middle aged dude