Attention women who race!

[judir6]

Please weigh in!

http://drunkcyclist.com/2010/08/13/sad-truth-about-womens-bike-racing/

[miamibiker]

My husband is considering racing next year and I was shocked to see how small the purses are. It will cost us thousands of dollars in expenses per season to feed his desires.

How the cycling community can help:
#1--Join a local "Racing Team" as a recreational rider. Your annual fees/dues go to support "team racers" and wearing the "team kit" helps make sponsors happy.
#2--Show up to local races. We are guilty of this crime :(. The races are during prime riding hours so it is hard to give up your riding time. Make an effort to attend!

Perhaps the answer is to allow betting. We bet on every other sport so why not cycling? Is it any different than greyhounds or horses and a lot less cruel. At least we don't euthanize the riders after they crash:D!!

[chicagogal]

Yeah, and the women's purses are even less. I am happy when I win back my race registration fee.

That being said, I am really lucky here in the Chicago area to have the honor to race with some really great amateur women cyclists who are working really hard to promote the sport and get more women involved. Most of our races have two women's fields and while they rarely sell-out they, do often come close.

I think that the more women there are who are competing, the more likely we are to get the attention that the men are getting.