What would you like to know?

[velogirl]

Hi everybody! I've been asked to present at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs later this month as part of a conference dedicated to leadership in women's cycling. The topic that was given to me (which I could change if I want) is "Creating a Meaningful Women's Cycling Program" and I've got about 90 minutes to entertain and enlighten the conference attendees (most of whom will be coaches or women racers).

I've been asked this question (how to start a women's program) a million times via email and phone. In addition to Velo Girls (http://www.velogirls.com), which I founded in 2002, I've helped lots of other folks start women's programs all over the world.

So, let me throw this question out there. Many of you have said "gee I wish we had a program like there where I live." What, specifically, would you like to know?

All input would be appreciated. I'm developing my presentation later this week and next and since I can't contact participants directly, I thought the lovely ladies of TE could provide some meaningful feedback.

Let's hear it!

Lorri

[Eden]

How to best encourage promotors to offer a good range of women's fields. I think its a build it and they will come type of situation. The participation of women in racing has gone up a lot around here and I don't think that we have a women's 4 field in most of our races is an inconsequential part of that. We are now working on getting more 3's fields so that we can *keep* women participating and so far a few promotors have really stepped up. I think it will make a big difference in keeping women interested (rather than frustrated with) in racing.

[velogirl]

dang! Eden, if I could convince promoters to do that here I'd be happy......we're still fighting with some folks for separate W4 fields and we fill them up all the time! but you did get me thinking.....thank you!

[SheFly]

I second Eden's comment about the promoters!

The other challenge is to teach new women skills, and to maintain contact with them through the season to ensure they have picked those up, and are progressing. Kind of like a mentorship program. One of the things our club realized last year is that learning from an experienced FEMALE racer/rider builds more confidence and self-esteem.

The skills are importatnt though - those squirrelly women who come out to race because their BF or DH is racing are dangerous!

SheFly

[velogirl]

Thanks, Cathy!

Okay, Eden and SheFly are both from very successful women's programs.

How about some of you who would like to have a women's program in your region but there isn't one? Have you wished there was a women's cycling club, race series, or other programs or clinics just for women? Would you like to start a program of your own but don't know where to begin? Have you tried to start a program but couldn't sustain it? What kind of information would be useful to you? What would inspire you to jump in and make something happen?

[smilingcat]

I would like to comment but I 'm out of the scene altogether. I know Helen's Cyclery have a women's squad. so does Paramount Racing down in Orange County and there is South Bay Wheelmen. Oh and Tailwind up in SB area. Maybe you can talk to some of th women there??

Smilingcat

[velogirl]

I guess I'm not good at asking the right question. I'll try again. I'm well-versed in the successful women's programs in the country and I'm not interested in finding out more about them at this point. I was chair of the Yoplait Women's Grassroots Project and in 2003 I compiled some fabulous data from 100+ different clubs and programs in the US. I've got lots of data about good programs.

:)

I'd like to hear from the women who don't have a women's program available. What would you like to know about developing a woman's program?

Or maybe I'll just change my topic to something more exciting like how to color coordinate your bike, kit, and helmet?

[velogirl]

I would like to comment but I 'm out of the scene altogether. I know Helen's Cyclery have a women's squad. so does Paramount Racing down in Orange County and there is South Bay Wheelmen. Oh and Tailwind up in SB area. Maybe you can talk to some of th women there??

Smilingcat

And Smilingcat, you don't appear to be out of the scene. All comers/comments welcome.

[salsabike]

So here's a voice from the 54-year-old, non-racer type rider. I would LOVE to have a women's cycling organization here that offers how-to-ride-better clinics, training, women's rides. I would want to know how such an organization gets started and the history of its development---how it begins, how it's promoted and sustained over time. I am not even vaguely qualified to be the one who starts it, however, and don't honestly know how that would occur. But I would sure support it and be part of it. I have hesitated to post here because I am not sure that's useful enough info for you. Best I can do, though...and thanks for asking.

[velogirl]

SalsaBike, thank you! That's perfect and you're totally qualified to comment. Heck! If someone told me 10 years ago that I would start a women's cycling organization I would've laughed (and then probably lit up another cigarette).

[GLC1968]

The other challenge is to teach new women skills, and to maintain contact with them through the season to ensure they have picked those up, and are progressing. Kind of like a mentorship program. One of the things our club realized last year is that learning from an experienced FEMALE racer/rider builds more confidence and self-esteem.



Ok, how about from me? I'm not a racer, and I've only seen 1 women's race in real life (CAT4 crit - about 20 women raced that day). I'm one of those that would LOVE a women's group in my area for the above reason I quoted from SheFly. I know that I'd love racing. I can be fast, I'm strong, I'm very competitve...but I'm almost 40, generally shy and super intimidated by the crazy male cycling community around me (which is HUGE). If we had a women's group that had a program for riders who wanted to race, I'd be way less intimidated.

I think skills would absolutely help...and not just for racing. Skills for group riding, for general road and moutain riding, for climbing in the mountains an hour from here, etc.

To do that locally, like Salsa, I'd want to know how to start something like that in our local area and how to effectively get the word out. I think it would be also important to know how to keep all levels interested. I see it often here, but we have one women's group ride locally. In the spring, we have a mix of skills...but as the season wears on, only the slowest riders continue to show up for this ride. My guess is that the better riders split off to find their own groups to ride with, but that makes it really hard for a good rider to enjoy the group later in the season. Information on how to effectively keep all levels interested (and informed) would be helpful.

And then, from someone who has NO experience with racing, I'd need to know how do you secure sponsors, how to you drum up interest from non-riders, how to do put an effective 'season' together (scheduling tips) and lastly, probably how to throw/host an event?

Did I ramble on too much? :o

[velogirl]

GLC, that's perfect! I'm a big rambler. Rambling is highly encouraged.

Thank you!

[velogirl]

GLC made me think of another question.

If you have "something" for women in your area, what are your frustrations?

What would you do differently?

I guess that's two questions.

[snowtulip]

I am another non-racer in the traditional sense. We do have a WOMBATS group here and admitedly I've never done anything with them because of the many negative experiences that people I know have had with them. Apparenlty newbies are ditched on rides and there is a good amount of bashing other riders on the trail. Could all be heresay, but enough to discourage me.

I would love to have an open environment for all levels of rider. I primarily mountain bike ride, but having a group that is open to all types of riding is also great. I think mentorship is a great thing! As well as comraderie for trail maintenance activities, etc. Having the opportunity to share riding with young girls that might not have the opporutnity or are in financial distress and need a bike and role model. How to clinics are great!

We have an adventure race club and I really like that they offer opportunities for training, opportunities for learning or enhaning a skill, and opportunities to provide open feedback on the needs of the members to keep evolving.

[velogirl]

snowtulip! thank you for your great comments.

[salsabike]

Then let me continue the rambling a little. I'm a moderately seriously recreational rider, 2000-3000 miles a year, started up about 4 years ago. Before that I hadn't been on a bike for a million years. I have other friends my age who shyly express interest but have no idea how to use a bike with gears, since when they were kids their bikes didn't have any. I've read notes from what I think was one of your Velogirls basic skills clinics and this would be the perfect thing to offer relatively new riders. In fact, I had to fight off for several days the urge to answer your question with, "I would like to know how we can convince you to move up here."

As far as I know, in this region, there is not much to make the beginning, as in haven't-ridden-since-childhood, female rider feel comfortable. I don't want to debate with anyone about whether they SHOULD feel OK in a mixed ride or clinic. Some of them don't and won't. There's a great untapped riding market here.

Loved the cigarette comment.

[velogirl]

Salsa, I bet if you poked around a little you could find a coach or a LAB Instructor who would be interested/willing in putting on a woman's clinic for you.

Beginners are definitely an untapped audience. Which reminds me (totally off topic) . One of missed opportunities at most bike shops is that they send brand new riders out for test rides all by themselves! Bike shops would do customers a great service and sell more bikes if they had a dedicated sales staff who would test ride with customers, teaching them how to brake and shift and giving them small tips about form and technique.

[vmax]

I am in complete agreement with Salsabike and GLC1968. I'm competitive but will probably not race (never say never), am a bit intimated by the large biking clubs in town as I know many of them race and so I ride on my own. On the other hand, I like long rides at a fast pace and my girlfriends think that 5 miles is a work out . . . so what's a girl to do? While I enjoy solo rides since I can go at my own pace, I'd enjoy riding with other similar-minded women.

I'd love to join a group that motivates, instructs, trains and works with women who are not just casual riders but don't race either. I hope that my comments make sense. I'm also 54, work out on a regular basis, am in decent shape but don't have the need (or desire) to compete.

General skills for biking, encourage (aka motivation) as well as bike maintenance, etc. would be wonderful. I did attend 2 maintenance classes at REI which were helpful but could certainly use more info.

Like others, I'd certainly be willing to help organize and support such a group. In my opinion, I think that there is an age group that could be "tapped" for such bike organizations. Being 54, I am absolutely the only person in my group of friends/siblings, who is so active with biking. If such organizations are put together in various locations/states, I hope that some of the marketing per se would also focus on women in their 50's+ and beyond. Biking is an activity that is good exercise and something that many of us did as kids so it isn't intimidating to resume as an adult. Yet, enouragement, education and a support mechanism would be helpful for many women to begin or resume regular exercise, such as biking. I used to work with a couple of men who are avid bikers and so I learned a lot from them about bikes, maintenance, riding, etc.

Whew, didn't mean to ramble so much but I hope that the information has been helpful. Best of Luck! Now I'll have to check back here more often for updates on this idea . . . :cool:

- Vivian

[velogirl]

Vivian! Thank you so much for your passionate response.

BTW, 54 is not old. On our very first race team, one of the racers (who had never raced before) was 52 years old. She is still racing 6 years later.

In our organization, I've found the demographic pretty representative of the women's demographic in the bike industry in general. There's a pretty distinct bell curve, with the critical mass falling in the 35-50 range with a smattering above and below. I think our youngest member this year is 10 and our oldest is 73.

[sundial]

I'd like to hear from the women who don't have a women's program available. What would you like to know about developing a woman's program?

OK, there just aren't many women in my area who are interested in cycling--particularly if they live in the small rural towns. Our state doesn't offer much for cyclists either because of lack of cyclist friendly parks or decent shoulders on the roads. We do have some clubs, but the majority of these members are competitive men. :rolleyes: I would like to have an experienced gal to ride with, but they are few and far between and I end up in a testosterone pack.

I think before we can have a club in my area, we need a decent place to ride. I guess I don't really have any questions for you, just a vent. :o

[velogirl]

Sundial, vents are fine.

Do you think the safety issue/lack of good places to ride is more of an issue for the women than the men?

[sundial]

You know what? I'd like to attend a girls only workshop offered by a women's cyclist program. Maybe something that could tour the rural towns of Arkansas.

Little Rock is the hub of activity but is 2 1/2 hrs away. I've been in all but one bike shop and it essentially caters to men in terms of garments, gadgets, and bikes. I have heard fewer women shop the stores compared to men. If these bike shops hosted a girls only clinic, I wonder if that would help ladies feel empowered and ride more.

[sundial]

Sundial, vents are fine.

Do you think the safety issue/lack of good places to ride is more of an issue for the women than the men?

Yes. The shoulders that I have ridden on are sometimes a foot or less. :eek: I have to ride during low traffic periods and I ride defensively as well.

We have a great state park, Old Davidsonville, that won state park of the year. There is not one mtb trail in the whole park. I use the hiking trails to ride on.

Also, there are those idiots that might take advantage of grabbing a female cyclist and heading for the hills to do who knows what. It almost happened to a cyclist friend of mine--in front of her male cyclists. :eek:

[velogirl]

Absolutely! Women don't like bike shops (sweeping generalization). I've found that if I can bring a group of women into a shop for an hour or two (clinic, shopping party, etc), they become familiar with the shop and will feel more comfortable coming back. If all bike shops did something like that, they'd likely see an increase in their female customer base.

It's too bad Little Rock is so far away. Are there any shops a bit closer to you?

[RoadRaven]

I think part of a womens programme could include some clear explaination/teaching around how women's metabolisms are so different to men;
- how the muscle/fat ratio affects us and our power output
- how more muscle means it is easier to burn fat (which is why men find it easier to drop weight than women)
- how women will never develop the same/equivilent muscle mass to men and therefore will never to the same times/speeds at the top level as men

I think from discussions with women, these basic facts about how our bodies respond to exercise are oftne unknown or misunderstood.

I also want to agree with the others - specific training for women
- developing confidence in bike handling
- skills in riding with others (my partner says some of the men he rides with prefer not to ride with women in training rides or racing because they are unpredicatble and cant hold their lines)
- women's only training rides (I will never ride with my partner on his Sunday morning training ride because the guys there just go too fast - 35kph is a moderate pace for them - for me its race pace... I just wouldn't go the distance)

Excellent thing to be asked to do VeloGirl
All the best

[sundial]

It's too bad Little Rock is so far away. Are there any shops a bit closer to you?

Yes, one is an hour away. They do all my work on my bike and I'm tinkering more on my own. Hey, maybe you could create a women's guide to bike mechanic series--with lots of pictures. Maybe a video too! :D

[bonniekate]

I would talk about some of the basics, like why a women's group can be so beneficial to women riders (versus coed programs). From my experiences, and there is not a women-specific program here, most women in my area start cycling with their husbands or boyfriends and will either begin riding in coed groups or will only ride with the person they started with. It is hard to get the ladies confident to want to move forward with their riding. And without riding with a group they don't want to ride alone and therefore do not ride as often as they would like. So how do you get the ladies involved and wanting to get out there into a program? I would love to see a women's group here, but don't have the motivation to start one myself. Even some of the spouses and girlfriends of the guys I ride with won't come out on our group rides and we don't drop ANYBODY!

You have to know where you're coming from to know where you're going! :)
good luck, it's a great topic!

bk

[Geonz]

My favorite bike shop has had several women's nights but it's hard to get the word out.

What age group is being targeted?

I *do* think that there's a HUGE audience of beginners who want fitness, love endorphins but aren't into the guy racing culture and maybe not racing at all.

THen there are those of us doing the whole 'bicycling lifestyle' thing...

[vmax]

One more thought on this subject and I'll try to be brief, promise ;)

I've gone to bike clinics on my own, single, no boyfriend or anyone else that could come along. While the classes were helpful there is one missing piece, esp for women . . . the social aspect. Why not have beverages, snacks, a way to learn and socialize at the same time. Being that I am single, going to a class is a good way to meet other women who bike. However, many people head straight for the exit as soon as the class ends . . thus eliminating a way to meet other people. I'm not suggesting that it become a "happy hour" yet there has to be a better format for this idea. How about a bike mentor group? Food for thought . . .

Perhaps a follow-up class with the same group or a series of classes for whatever the topic: bike maintenance, motivation, a non-threatening way to work on your own bike as a learning process. I'm stumbling around here for ideas but I do believe that, in order to get more women (of all ages) interested in biking one needs to include the social piece as well.

Again,

- Vivian, MN

[shootingstar]

I seem to hardly talk about my cycling...I get off topic.

But part of my past that has been silent until now:

Am just a lifestyle cyclist, with no car in my life for past 1/2 century. :D Average about 3000-7000 kms. annually in past 14 years after returning to cycling at 31.

I was part of a core group of organizers for a women's cycling group, Women on Wheels, for the Greater Toronto Area...for 5 years. In addition to my partner who is a rabid cycling advocate and heavy cyclist himself, this women's group did shoot up my passion for cycling.

We did organized rides, organized conferences ever 2 years and had workshops about 5-8 running simultaneously...on bike maintenance, touring, nutrition, etc. We did attract newbies, racers and bike couriers...all women. We did have some veterans...ie. the lst Canadian woman who raced competively. She was a distant "mother", role model to us all...

It was a heady 5 years. But with heavy hearts, we had to fold our group, because we couldn't find other fresh new volunteers to carry on the torch faithfully. Our non-profit organization had enough money in bank to run the organization.

So these are my thoughts:

* how to cultivate cooperative leadership among seasoned female cyclists to run low-budget cycling organization...that blends both competent cycling skills plus ...long term lifestyle approach to cycling.

*outreach to young girls and teenage girls exposing them to cycling (and boosting their self-confidence and having fun)....this was always in the back of our minds but all of us had fulltime daytime jobs

*outreach to women who do not fit the majority, mainstream of regular cyclists but who could benefit from the independence of cheap travel

*options for regular cycling mentorship or developing partnerships with other related cycling groups...ie. a group that is working on/advocating for new cycling routes.... I suspect alot of newbies are just afraid of cycling...because they don't know good, reasonably safe routes and are afraid stuck unprepared near the highway interchange or similar.

I agree abit of socializing at the end or during a rest stop, is helpful to keep the vibe dynamic of women's cycling group running.

It would be kind of neat ...one day...if there was a mega cycling convergence ride..you know several women's cycling group rides converging from several cities to 1 meeting point. :D:D:D Such a display of cycling power...:D:D

[Eden]

Vivian! Thank you so much for your passionate response.

BTW, 54 is not old. On our very first race team, one of the racers (who had never raced before) was 52 years old. She is still racing 6 years later.

In our organization, I've found the demographic pretty representative of the women's demographic in the bike industry in general. There's a pretty distinct bell curve, with the critical mass falling in the 35-50 range with a smattering above and below. I think our youngest member this year is 10 and our oldest is 73.

This is exactly what we've experienced here too - we have a lot of women who come to racing relatively late in life and are successful at it. I started at the age of 34. One of the other people who started the same year I did is in her early 50's and is incredible. Most of our riders above cat 4 also qualify to ride masters (and in fact many of the top riders in the area too). We have some younger people but I think the 35+ crowd out numbers them. Our two youngest members I think are 17 this year. (there are already several excellent organizations for juniors in the area so I think we might hesitate to take on very young children)

[Geonz]

Hmmm.... a gathering, somewhere accessible to Portland and Vancouver....

[Eden]

Hmmm.... a gathering, somewhere accessible to Portland and Vancouver....

Sounds like Seattle to me :rolleyes:

Shooting Star has a great point - how do you get teenage girls involved. Our junior women fields around here are pretty bad... same two or three girls in every race, though the junior boys have pretty good turn out.
When I was a teenager I don't think I knew anyone who rode like me.... (boys or girls for that matter) The people I went to high school with thought I was crazy and mostly just asked "what's the matter with your hands..." because of my glove tan lines.

It's interesting. I've never been one to be much bothered by co-ed events. Most of my friends have always been guys, so it just doesn't even come into my head to be concerned about it, though I did end up on a women only team. Cascade runs some great programs around here for non racers, but as far as I know they don't do anything that is not co-ed. There are however a great many women who are working in the club. I went and did some volunteering at one of their bike fixing parties recently (they have a fleet of bikes for teaching kids to ride) and the women out numbered the men in the room by at least 2 to 1.

[shootingstar]

Well maybe Seattle or further inland abit as a convergence point.. :)

I looked over my data and realized I hadn't updated my thinking.. it's returning to cycling at 32 yrs. and cycling for nearly past 17 yrs.

For all my years of cycling so far in 2 major Canadian cities where I've lived (toronto & Vancouver), only about 2% of my mileage, has been cycling with groups of 3-15+ cyclists. Otherwise, around 60% of my mileage I cycle with my partner and rest of the time, I simply do it solo...for hrs. Some years I was cycling solo 100% when my partner was living for 2 yrs. in another city.

It would have been great to cycle occasionally with another woman who lived within cyclable distance to meet up and ride together. I am not sure I would have always wanted to be locked in to a meet time for a regular group ride...for certain not right now, my personal schedule is very limited.

Knowing a network of women cyclists locally would be helpful. Right now, what does keep me on bike, even though it does feel solitary at times, is to remain healthy,, save money and...because we don't have a car.

When we had our info. table at an annual bike trade show that drew 10,000 people, it was abit strange where some women just treated us /our group like lepers when we tried to provide them merely info. These women were with their male friends/spouses.

Honest, some women have insecurity issues that they don't want to associate at all with an all-female cycling group.

To reach teenage girls, the focus should not be on competition nor racing for the majority of girls at that stage. Instead more focus on cycling competency, endurance and confidence to take on long routes, busy traffic ...while also having fun. When there is clear evidence that many teenage girls (to me) look heavier than teenage girls were 30 years ago, cycling certainly can become sellable option as healthy fun thing to do ...if the girl doesn't feel safe or too exposed to be jogging solo. At that age, I would tend to build in some social time for teenage girls during a ride/workshop(s).

I was an awkward, brainy nerd in high school and for certain, suggestions of racing/competition would have intimidated me from cycling. thank god at that time, I was still cycling in cemeteries where I felt safe from roaring traffic :) But then I was wierd and abit of a loner who did my own thing.

[mtbdarby]

Hi Lorri,
Great topic and here's my take on it.

I live "up nort". We have smaller towns that are 30-60 miles apart. There is a cycling group in the larger town but I've struggled with them. Wanna know why? In central WI people are very cliquey. It's HARD to "break into" an existing group. I was the first new member they'd had in many years. So here are some questions I would ask myself:

-how do I hit a female "target" market given the geographical challanges?

- there's only 2 bike shops around and they don't seem to take me seriously as a biker but it does depend on the day. How do you get their support for a program?

- what kind of training programs or rides would be effective for women starting to bike so they aren't intimidated and will stick with it through the seasons?

- knowing you would get a diverse group of abilities how do you do rides together while pushing those that want it and providing social interaction for all? (I highly doubt you would get a lot of people to join at first).

- what types of city/town committees, organizations, etc. would you approach for any help funding, advertising, support etc.?

- how do you start raising funds just to get started?

I have the passion but tend to get bogged down in details like this. If you could put a "How to get a womens cycling group together manual" and make it available to the masses I think it would be a great tool for those of us who don't have the time for the learning curve of getting it going. Of course, that could just be me;)

[Eden]

To reach teenage girls, the focus should not be on competition nor racing for the majority of girls at that stage. Instead more focus on cycling competency, endurance and confidence to take on long routes, busy traffic ...while also having fun. When there is clear evidence that many teenage girls (to me) look heavier than teenage girls were 30 years ago, cycling certainly can become sellable option as healthy fun thing to do ...if the girl doesn't feel safe or too exposed to be jogging solo. At that age, I would tend to build in some social time for teenage girls during a ride/workshop(s).

I was an awkward, brainy nerd in high school and for certain, suggestions of racing/competition would have intimidated me from cycling. thank god at that time, I was still cycling in cemeteries where I felt safe from roaring traffic :) But then I was wierd and abit of a loner who did my own thing.

I don't necessarily agree with this. While not every girl wants to be on a competitive sporting team I think that girls should absolutely be encouraged to get involved in competitive cycling. I would never have dreamed of trying to join the basketball team or the volleyball team when I was in high school. I definitely was about as opposite as possible from being a high school jock, I was a pretty poor swimmer and too small to be useful at any ball sports, but I was an avid cyclist and I probably would have jumped at the chance to join a cycling team. Unlike ball sports its something that is easy to continue into adult hood, competitively or not.

I was a pretty akward brainy nerd too - but I felt very much at home out on the road and used to do 70 mile solo rides when I was 14 (which probably only served to mark me more out....). I can respect that competition isn't for everyone, but I also think that it's not a reason to not encourage girls to do it. There are track and cross country teams and that doesn't discourage girls from jogging for fitness.

[shootingstar]

Another topic for female cyclists providing leadership locally to other women and girls... to help them understand when group cycling is beneficial vs. solo vs. competitive cycling/racing.

is how to look at sports and what a person's personality is like. Cycling can be a "social" oriented sport riding in groups to push one's competence further and for the social aspect. Or it can be pursued in a more solitary manner...for folks (like me) who are tend to be loners, independent and carve their own road.

Nowadays I advise people to choose a sport that they love to do..often enough...for many years to come. Doesn't matter if it's golf, running, bowling, etc. Also some people just don't realize that perhaps why they don't enjoy group/team sports...it may not fit their personality profile. Or they need group /team sport/exercise activity to stay motivated/be pushed to excel.

Keep in mind some girls might want sport to be a great workout with some fitness pushing to the limits, but non-competitive because already in other parts of their life they ARE competing (ie. academically) or they are competing on the job to stay on top of their profession.

[Starfish]

What would I like to know?

How to start a recreational cycling program for at-risk adolescent girls that would form the base for a life in cycling, regardless of whether that base led to competition, recreation, or commuting. Question areas I would have would include:

-Liability & parental consent issues
-Finding bike donations and mechanical support
-Finding volunteers to lead, teach, train
-Fund raising
-Involving moms for mother/daughter lifestyle changes together
-Mentoring issues to help girls compete if that was their wish
-Partnering with schools, YMCAs, or other existing programs
-Adding additional prevention components
-And probably lots more questions I haven't thought of!

:)

[smilingcat]

The biggest problem I see in my area where there are literally hundreds of clubs for all walks of life and trying to get the word out to average Jane Doe. The women who might be casually interested in riding never try to find out on what is available to them.

We have clubs whose main interests are touring only, racing only, mtn biking, commuter oriented, socializing & riding, casual riding for fitness. But even for someone like me who is seasoned has a hard time finding all the clubs and groups around. You occasionally run across a free local cycling paper with a listing of "all" the clubs and groups. So how do you get the word out?? If you pick a LBS to meet, you won't be able to put a flyer in other LBS.

Then there is starfish's concern of if you wanted to start your own group biggest obstacle I see is liability. I don't want to lose my house just because someone had an accident.

and the other problem is how do you sustain the group once it started as pointed out by shootingstar. There are times when you just really feel burnt out with leading a ride. It's a lot of commitment so to spin this around a bit. How do you keep from burning yourself out as a ride leader or organizer? There are days when I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO OUT!! OR I JUST WANT TO TRAIN ON MY OWN

After ride/workshop social is a must. You don't have to supply with soft drinks snacks. The successful and ongoing rides usually finish at a bikeshop near a donut place :eek: or finish at a coffee house or a deli. Occasional party at one of the riders house also helps.

One thing that has irked me over the years is that there are always small group of people both men and women who tend to develop a clique and basically alienate new members. so how do you keep exisiting members from alienating potential new members

I guess I'm just reiterating what others have said.

These days, I prefer to ride alone because most groups never do what they claim. :mad: :mad: :mad:

They hog the road, rotating pace line is never smooth, squirrly riders allowed in pace line, hand signal or not to hand signal.

Biggest two peeves of mine is blowing through red traffic lights/stop signs and dropping people on no drop ride. I used to be the one who went back and picked up the straggler and encouraged them and humored them to continue with the ride. I ended up being the mechanic often times for the stragglers with impromptu "how to fix a flat clinic" out on the road.

Occasionally, I rode back to the starting point with a rider who either blew up or bonked. It's not easy to keep them motivated sometimes. How do you convince a newbie to a group that they are not inconveniencing an experienced rider in situation like this? I don't want them to become alienated just because they couldn't keep up on one of the outings.

I guess my thoughts are on how to get new members to join in on ongoing basis.

Smilingcat

[shootingstar]

Good points to mull over, smileycat. It does help to have a small core group..at least 2-4 other women who share in leadership /organization of "stuff". But even the little core group of leaders get burnt out too.

Another thing is:

Understanding leadership (if you want to be of the spearheaders of an organization) and your own personality style in cycling. It can set the tone for the organization and group dynamics. It's quite different to be just a competitive racer vs. a leader for an organization to have a viable membership that doesn't stagnate.

How to see and understand the relationship of your cycling group to other local cycling related organizations. It helps that the group leaders aren't just solely racers/competitors, from a marketing perspective and building bigger membership.

In our core group we had a transportation policy analyst who was a tourer, a woman who toured and ran her own cycling/walking touring business, etc. Some of us had cross memberships with cycling advocacy organizations. Cross-organizational linkages are great for getting the word out about our group because people will send referrals to us. I remember the lst year when we folded our organization and I was at a bike trade show...painful to hear someone unable to give referral to a women's organization when the women were looking for support.... they came from out of town to the show....and I was standing nearby..

Seems like so far for most co-ed large cycling events, rides..etc. that I've participated, is usually is less women in the group.

Still lots to drum up participation. It's difficult to build racing numbers among women..when the foundation needs to be laid first.

[velogirl]

wow! I somehow missed a bunch of these replies (busy breaking up with my boyfriend last weekend). Alas.....

Here's where I'm going with this. Any thoughts?

Creating a Meaningful Women’s Cycling Program

Why Velo Girls – How it all Began

Why Programs Specifically for Women – Gender Differences in Cycling
• Desire for Community
• Need for Education
• How we Approach Competition
• Why we Begin Riding

Various Business Models
• Women’s Program within an Existing Co-ed Cycling Club
• Women’s Cycling Club
• Programs for Women within an Existing Coaching Organization
• Coaching Organization focused on Women
• Regional Organization
• Women’s Cycling Group within a Multi-Sport Club
• Women’s Event/Program within a Sponsor Organization (ie bike shop, health club, fitness center, corporation, local race association).

Developing Women Cyclists
• Why Women Start Riding
• How to Find Them
o
Partnering with bike shops
o Partnering with other Women’s organizations
o Partnering with other Cycling and Fitness Organizations
• How to Recruit Them
• How to Retain Them

Developing Women Racers
• Just What is Development Anyways?
• Competitive Athletes from other Disciplines
• Recreational Riders
• Demographic of “Typical” New Woman Racer

Retaining Women Racers:
• Life gets in the Way (Career, Motherhood, Partner’s Priorities)
• Keeping Women Engaged
• Overcoming Fears
• Providing Opportunities (ie working with Promoters)
• Dealing with Failure
• Managing Success

Does One Size Fit All?
• Juniors
• Masters
• Elites
• Recreational Riders
• Multi-Sport Athletes

Ideas for Success:
• Skills Education
• Health & Fitness Education
• Mentorship
• Community
• Sustainability
o L
eadership
o Group Dynamics
o Variety of Opportunities
o Measuring Success

Challenges of a Gender-Based Organization:
• Geography
• Working with Women
• Reaction of the Other Gender
• Competition with other Women’s Organizations

How to Overcome the Challenges to Being a Leader in a Man’s World

Concluding Thoughts

[snowtulip]

Wow Velogirl!! Lots of information to discuss, I wish I could be there to hear your presentation.:(

Good luck and I hope you get lots of additional feedback, this has been a great thread to read.

[velogirl]

I just want to express how much I appreciate all of you taking time to share your thoughts. I actually had a hard time wrapping my head around this topic and it was all of you who helped me focus in.

Thank you!

Lorri

[salsabike]

That outline looks great! Wish I could hear it too.

[tulip]

GLC made me think of another question.

If you have "something" for women in your area, what are your frustrations?

What would you do differently?

I guess that's two questions.

I haven't read all the comments yet, so I hope this isn't a repeat. I am a former racer, but I have very little interest in racing now. I like riding, touring, centuries, and organized rides.

When I lived in DC, there was a group of seemingly energetic and interesting women called Babes on Bikes. They are still around. Perhaps someone on this forum is a member. They had rides of varying levels and I would have loved to go riding with them. However, they were SAHM and the like, and only had organized rides during working hours on weekdays. That's great for them, but I (and I imagine alot of other interested women) could not participate because I worked during those hours. That was frustrating because I bet there is alot of energy and fun and good ride vibes in that group. They did not go on weekend rides (but there are other good cycling groups with weekend rides in the area--men and women mixed)

Ironically, now I work from home and could manage a ride or two a week during traditional working hours, but there's no such club here. Maybe I'll start one...I'll finish reading the posts now.

[tulip]

Alot of women have issues with changing flat tires. They say they have tried, it takes too long, they can't figure it out, etc. The secret, and it shouldn't be a secret, is to practice, practice, practice until you can change a tire without a problem. I think the fear of getting a flat keep some women from getting on a bike.

I think it would be great to hold Flat Tire Parties wherever you live. Have women cyclists over, bring their bikes, have some goodies to eat and drink, some tools, and practice changing tubes over and over in a safe, social environment. Of course, someone in the group should be conversant in flat tire fixing to help the others. In a few hours, a bet the participants would be alot less fearful of changing flats.

Who knows, the party might lead to some rides and the birth of a women's cycling group.

[tulip]

Well, I seem to be just full of ideas today...

I loved commuting to work on my bike when I worked in an office. I got a few people in my office to also commute to work, at least from time-to-time.

Most people express dismay about bike commuting--too far, weather woes, traffic fears, dealing with clothes and clean-up, etc.

In DC, there was a program by the local advocacy group to have commuter mentors--someone who you could call to ride to work with you. I tried to be such a mentor, but I never got a response to my inquiries, so I gave up with them. I still think it's a great idea, though.

Do any of you have experience with bike commuter mentor programs? That, too, could be a good way to get women on bikes, and even recreational riders together through commuting.

[Geonz]

Tulip, I got into cycling in Richmond. It was a February and I'd called a fellow for dinner to thank him for helping me teach a guitar class, and his obviously no-longer-ex answered his phone, and I thought "it's time to meet new people!"

That Saturday, I went on the Ashland Breakfast Club ride. I called the leader (they rotate every week - you sign up to lead one Saturday and do the sign-up sheet and help people connect)... showed up Saturday and he looks at my hybrid and looks at me and says "how fast do you go?" and I said "I don't know," and he points at this group of folks and says "they go your speed."

They did! We rode out to Hardee's where everybody literally regroups and decides how far they're *really* going. Our group ended up going 42 miles but at no point was I in the back of the group. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have been amazed because they could have dropped me in a heartbeat. Instead there was lots of talk about cycling and the sights theyh'd seen and the meals they'd had, and the idea taht if cycling was so much fun, why did some people want to get it over with as soon as possible?

Dang it, I just checked the website and *today's* leader is Rickey Davis - one of thsoe guys. Oops, I gotta go send him a late CHristmas card :D ... http://www.raba.org/ is the club site.

[guruchic]

Velogirl,

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute. This Spring will be my second season in the saddle. I truly love the sport and completed my first century ride after three months training. I am now training in the off season but found it really hard to find a good training routine. I must have visited over 30 sites online only to find they were all so different.

I am riding (indoor) and lifting which has really helped. I was doing the base training and now am progressing into higher intensity work outs. I finally found a program but it took me forever and if it weren't for my search skills on the computer, I might never have found anything.

I do not race but am a very intense non competitive rider. I have given this much thought and would love a program that included guidelines on nutrition, yoga(for stretching and mental strength), weights and cycling periodization for the serious non-competitive woman. Good luck with your presentation.

[Cyclesome]

This is a great thread! I truly enjoyed reading all of the responses.
I especially agreed with Vmax and Salsabike and feel I can readily relate to their ideas. I recently returned back into cycling two years ago and ride on both the trail and roads, last year about 1400 miles.

I would love knowledge of how create a recreational bike club in my county, including organized rides on the trail. This year our trail will connect Pitt to Washington DC. Many opportunities for riding w/o traffic.

I also think there is a great need for bike handling skill clinics.

Thanks for allowing me to respond.

[shootingstar]

You have an outline, velogirl where you could write a book. You need to offer an all-day session based on your outline. :D Or 3 days.

Or organize a conference and get some of us to do the workshops. ;)

One thing about this split mentality in the cycling world of racing/competitive vs. non-racing/non-competitive.....it seems that anything non-competitive is deemed 'recreational'. Tell that to a randonneur (which I'm not) where alot of them aren't really competing against anyone...except against their own time.

which is no different than some of us who ride non-competitively, but do set general /vague goals to improve during the cycling season. Then there are functional /commuter cyclists who do have to cycle regularily, for transporation because they don't have a car. I know alot of people who just don't have cars. But some of so seasoned under trying weather conditions that they have become strong riders.

The audience to your presentation should be seriously challenged/questioned that this split thinking is way too narrow to get more women on bikes and get them to stay on the bikes for many years to come.

[velogirl]

Hey, ShootingStar, let me preface this by saying that I am "all of the above." I'm a racer, a tourist, a commuter, I ride for errands -- you name it and I've done it on the bike. I don't think these categories are mutually exclusive.

I also don't think using the term "recreational" rather than non-competitive implies any negative connotations. And in keeping with your definition of certain types of recreational riding also being competitive, I would think folks would prefer that term (recreational) over non-competitive.

Those who know me will tell you that I consider every single cyclist on this forum an "athlete," whether or not she races. If you set goals, have structure in your riding, etc, you are an athlete.

Now, keep in mind that the conference at which I'm speaking is sponsored by USA Cycling -- the governing body of racing in the US. Then look @ my outline again and you'll see that I'll spend a good amount of time talking about the "non-racer" in my discussion of how to develop women cyclists.

Obviously, if I thought the world revolved around racers only (which I don't think), I wouldn't be on a forum like this where the majority of women don't race nor do they aspire to. I also wouldn't run a cycling club where 1,400+ women are non-racers and only a couple dozen race.

The split mentality you refer to certainly isn't coming from me.

[RoadRaven]

I didn't get the split coming from you Velo, but it is certainly "out there" in the mindsets of some of those who ride bikes...

Its something you might have to "break down" in the minds of your clients... perhaps an icebreaker/getting to know each other activity??

Perhaps focusing on the intentions and aspirations and sharing those in some way so that those who aspire to race and those who aspire to commute and those who aspire to randonneur all realise that, despite different goals, the dedication and passion for achieving their individuals goals is the same, and every goal carries equivilent value.

Creating a Meaningful Women’s Cycling Program: Fantastic content
Well done. You could probably market it as a programme/course for others to deliver. For example, I am sure that our Health and Sports Science Faculty where I work would be interested in delivering a programme like this.

And I am sorry about your bf... whatever the circumstances, the end of a long-term relationship is always tough.

[tulip]

...That Saturday, I went on the Ashland Breakfast Club ride...

Yep, been meaning to do that ride. Thanks for the push. I rode alot with some DC groups, and I miss those rides.

Velogirl, thanks for all your efforts. And best wishes for a quick rebound from your breakup. You seem very resilient, but I know it's not easy. Let us know how the conference goes.