Gender stereotypes & safety aside, I suspect Mary & Steve are both happy to be riding with somebody else. They've both been riding solo of most of the race and it's gotta give a little extra motivation.
As for vulnerability, sure it's possible a small woman can be a target. But so is a guy who happens to be wearing the wrong colors... or a guy who just looks funny because he's riding a bike. Mary's carrying bear spray on her shoulder strap where the world can see it. That was a decision she made before the race based on many factors.
For what it's worth- I'd want to ride with somebody else at this point in the ride too, for strategic reasons:
Steve seems to get up earlier
Mary rides later into the night
Steve can probably motor on the flats
Mary can climb like the dickens
Steve's fun to ride with (I rode w/him in Banff)
Mary's fun to ride with too. :-)
Good morning, y'all
Gender stereotypes & safety aside, I suspect Mary & Steve are both happy to be riding with somebody else. They've both been riding solo of most of the race and it's gotta give a little extra motivation.
As for vulnerability, sure it's possible a small woman can be a target. But so is a guy who happens to be wearing the wrong colors... or a guy who just looks funny because he's riding a bike. Mary's carrying bear spray on her shoulder strap where the world can see it. That was a decision she made before the race based on many factors.
For what it's worth- I'd want to ride with somebody else at this point in the ride too, for strategic reasons:
Steve seems to get up earlier
Mary rides later into the night
Steve can probably motor on the flats
Mary can climb like the dickens
Steve's fun to ride with (I rode w/him in Banff)
Mary's fun to ride with too. :-)
-Brendan