The State of Women's Racing

I opened a basket of worms over on bike forums (www.bikeforums.net) and have over 50 responses arguing with each other. The only other woman on the thread is a bit over the top, so I thought I'd poll the TE ladies! I would really appreciate any and all insights you have! :D

If you do not race (time trial, road, track, etc), and have no intention of doing so, why? Age, lack of local races, bad experience at a group ride, just don't think you can, too agressive, worried about injuries?

If you don't race, but plan on it, what is the threshold? A certain avg. pace? Staying with a fast group?

For the racers:
1) Why did you descide to start racing?
2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing?

I am thinking about devoting a lot of time and energy to promoting women's racing, and trying to recruit more women for next season, but I don't have a ton of ideas. I'm hopefully going to work at the LBS part time later this fall-which I think is very important. Beginers especially should be able to talk to a woman about saddles, shorts, etc. But other than that I have no ideas. TIA for your answers!!! :p

I currently do not race. I started mountain biking a few years ago. I didn't race initially because of lack of experience. I felt like too weak of a rider to race. I had only biked with guys and I sucked compared to them. I went on my first girl ride last summer and realized there was a def difference in skill level (I wasn't be best, but did a lot better than I imagined!) I was going to race this year but my wedding was in June and didn't want to risk any nasty injuries for my wedding day. I'm a competitive person so I wouldn't be able to go easy in a race. Since my wedding, my husband and I have trained harder and plan on racing next season when we'll have a bit more time to devote to the sport.

I've only been riding for a year and didn't really get serious until this summer. I've never considered racing because it's just not important to me and I'm not that strong. I did not grow up playing sports and I'm not competitive. But this spring after moving to a new state my hubby and I have meet several couples at our church that ride. Two of the ladies race and are trying to talk me into joining their team. Since they've mentioned this I've actually started to consider it. This team just wants women involved in racing and to do their best. They are not concerned about winning. So it's something on my mind and I may join in the spring if I can stay strong through the winter.

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Originally Posted by runnergirl

If you do not race (time trial, road, track, etc), and have no intention of doing so, why? Age, lack of local races, bad experience at a group ride, just don't think you can, too agressive, worried about injuries?

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you missed one: I don't race and have no intention of doing so because it holds no appeal to me. I would rather go on a long ride at whatever pace I'm feeling that day then race.

But I do wish you the best of luck in getting something started!

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Originally Posted by CorsairMac

you missed one: I don't race and have no intention of doing so because it holds no appeal to me. I would rather go on a long ride at whatever pace I'm feeling that day then race.

But I do wish you the best of luck in getting something started!

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Ditto for me. :)

For the racers:
1) Why did you descide to start racing? I was a core mountain biker in upstate NY, moved to a area where there was'nt any decent mt biking,rode a TT on my MT bike for the fun of it did pretty well so I bought my first RB. Raced all 1st summer in every event and I always finished in the middle.
I love having goals and watching my body get stronger. Although I do feel it can also take the joy out of cycling when you have to keep your HR in a certain zone and work on different aspects when sometimes I just want to RIDE. I've learned to also not take my training to seriously.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
I found a wonderful cycling coach who after my first summer of dabbling into racing put me on the right path of training that winter and I shot up to the top three in my age group the following summer. My DH is also very supportive in always taking care of our kids and dragging everyone to the races at 5am! Could not be able to do it without him! He also makes all the difference when you feel you can not make it to the top of a 3 1/2 mile hill and you have your hubby following you saying "get your A** up that hill"

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates? When I was mt biking mostly men, they made me stronger especially my DH. Road biking I've been lucky to find great strong women who race and I learned a ton from them.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?Yes !!

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing?Needs more recognition. We also need to focus more on getting young women into cycling.

I did a mountain bike race once, won my class even. But the whole time I was thinking, "you know, it sure would be nice to have the trail to myself". I get asked to be on 24 teams regularly, and I am just not interested.

so, 6) none of the above

~Irulan

I don't race, and won't ever. I used to run half-marathons, but can no longer run competitive times. That's why I began biking, first mountain biking, then the road. My personal goals are now more for distance than speed.

Looking back at my earlier athletics, I never even considered bicycle racing. It's not really promoted here in the newspapers or TV, so until I started riding, I was pretty oblivious to the cycling world. Bicycling these days reminds me of running in the early 70's--something just ready to catch on. I think if the right people get marketing the sport, you could see an explosion of interest for both genders. The time is right: Lance is still in the news, and the price of gas is breaking a few people's banks. And everyone wants to be fit and look good, right?

If you do not race (time trial, road, track, etc), and have no intention of doing so, why? Age, lack of local races, bad experience at a group ride, just don't think you can, too agressive, worried about injuries?

I like to ride by myself...I rode with a group once, and although it was a good experience, I enjoy my solitary rides more. It's kind of my alone time.

I used to race...tris and marathons...and maybe one day I'll get the 'racing' bug again. But exactly what is a bike race? Is a century a race? Maybe getting the word out about bike racing, and what it all means would be a good start. I feel stupid when it comes to knowing exactly what is meant by bike racing. Also, there are always posters out about marathons or 5k's or running type races...but I don't ever recall seeing anything about a bike race in my community.

Hope this helps :)

Wow!!! Thanks for all the responses! Very helpful!

It seems that there is a major personality factor in who chooses to race and who doesn't. Is this a set thing, do you think women who ride for fun can be "converted," or would it be a better strategy to find women who have the disposition to race and try and get them on bikes?

Clare, I would consider centuries in the "touring" catagory. They're a lot like running events in that participation and personal goals are what matter. Racing can be divided into mountain and road. Mt. racing includes cross country, downhill, and other types I don't know about since I'm a chicken about single track. Road racing includes time trials, road races, and criteriums. Time trials are solo events-you against the clock on a set course-person with the best time wins. Road races and criteriums are pack races, and in most cases if you can't stay with the pack you will be pulled off the course-they can be quite fast, crashes are common, etc. The goal is to win, place, or aquire points in a series. Hope I've got that all right! :o

I started racing because thats the only type of cycling my school had. I started cycling because a friend at school bugged me into it. Really the racing was a bonus. I did the team time trails for my school this year to make up a senoir team. ow we have had a lot of new cyclist jopin so Ill stay next year to help train/support them. Ive started to do races and the such out side of school and i just find them fun. With all the different people who cycle.
Marie

1) Why did you descide to start racing?
Talked into by the guys I rode with.
2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
An LBS asked me to ride for them.
3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
Women? What women? When I was racing it was rare to find another woman fast enough and on a mountain bike.
4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
NO. I ran track for a year, then work obligations took over.
5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing?
I quit for a few reasons. Turnout-not enough women to race against, that led to promoters to lump all women racers together, podium spots and all. I didn't like that those of us with more experience were taking all the places/prizes and the beginner women were being left out in the cold. I thought it was more important that they get recognition and encouragement. I asked the promoters to award the trophies for the beginner women and maybe send some schwag our way. After awhile it got a little silly to pay $20+ bucks for a little adrenaline and some cheap schwag. I found the fast beginners, sport and above men to be encouraging though it got a little aggravating that they'd start us a few minutes behind the beginner men. We'd catch up to those guys quick and they wouldn't let us pass. I've rolled over a few bikes because you'd have to ride on their wheel til they got nervous enough to crash before you could get by. Oy.

I loved the adrenaline (except the part where you're waiting at the start and all of a sudden you REALLY have to pee-why is that??) and the race scene but for now I'll live without. It's just as much fun to ride my own ride and it doesn't cost me $20 bucks to do it, either!

I sometimes do time trials as they're a good way to gauge fitness improvements, plus its fun to represent my club and meet up with my clubmates, but generally I just prefer to ride - either on my own or with 1 or 2 others. I like the lack of pressure - if I feel like doing some structured training one month then I can, but I sometimes find training for a specific event, while giving me focus, can sometimes take the joy of of riding. Maybe I put too much pressure on myself/the event.

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Originally Posted by runnergirl

It seems that there is a major personality factor in who chooses to race and who doesn't. Is this a set thing, do you think women who ride for fun can be "converted," or would it be a better strategy to find women who have the disposition to race and try and get them on bikes?

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This is an interesting one. I think women who ride for fun can be converted - some might just need a little push, be offered the opportunity and given the support. This might be especially so for those who have come to sports later in life or have never really been involved in sports. I've met a number of women cyclists who's kids are now old enough to stay home alone, and they can't get enough of it. One in particular now races anything and everything.

Having said that though, it really does depend on whether riders want to be converted. If the opportunity is there for the taking then great, but I suppose not everyone will want to take it and are happy just to get out and ride. :)

Hey Runnergirl,
Interesting thread, I can see why you stirred the pot.

For the racers:
1) Why did you descide to start racing? Lots of reasons. I've only been mtb since May of this year. I did my first 4 x 12 race at the end of July. One reason was a personal goal - I need a goal to motivate me. Second was I was told I shouldn't even ride let alone race because of my thyroid. Guess I don't like being told what I can/cannot do :p And finally, I had just broken up with my bf and I had told him I'd ride on a team with his 13 yo son. I wasn't not gonna ride because we weren't going out, I just got a new team.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)? I joined a local bike club and (can't believe I'm admitting this) I hopped on match.com and found some male bikers in this area to ride with. It's hard to find female mtb's.

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates? Group riding is with the club which is actually about 50/50.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college? Oh yeah...

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing? Knowing that it's out there and how to get started. A huge obstacle in training for me is that I'm a single mom to a 3 yo and I'm new to the area. I can't afford $60+ a month for babysitting one night a week because I only get my little guy during the week. I will only give up so much time with him so I can ride. I do have a trailer for him but he doesn't always want to ride and I will only take the trailer on the road. There are no trails within biking distace to me, I have to drive. I don't have a bike carrier either, so cost is also an issue. I've spent over $1000 this summer on a bike, clothes, assessories, trail passes, race fees, trailer and baby sitting. I also think it's a little intimidating to get into the sport. It is male dominated and they treat you like you know what you're doing or are at a level beyond where you are. I think that was a big source of my nervousness and frustration in the beginning. If you can start out making it fun and challanging, I think you stand a better chance of getting women into in and retaining them - wether they choose to race or not. You have to get them riding first, right?

Hope that helps.

I don't race. While I enjoy an occasional group ride, riding for me is much more a solo activity. I enjoy looking at the scenery, taking new roads, and the only competition involved is against my own prior performance.

Now I'm usually pulling a trailer anyway. Singletrackmind, do you think we can organize a race of Trailer Moms here in St. Louis? One with stops every 2 miles or so to retrieve toys & sippy cups from the bottom of the trailer, use the drinking fountain, watch construction workers/trash collectors/trains for a few minutes, eat Cheerios, etc.? :rolleyes:

Runnergirl, what reasons are the guys at bikeforums giving for racing/not racing? Do their responses differ from ours? I guess I could amble over and read it for myself....

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If you don't race, but plan on it, what is the threshold? A certain avg. pace? Staying with a fast group?

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I started riding very seriously this year. I need to build more skills a little bit, a bit of strength too.

But I was truly scandalized at the low number of women in competitive cycling where I come from (Quebec). That is strange because I say we have more local cycling stars who are women than men (Genevieve Jeanson, Lyne Bessette, Marie-Helene Premont in mtb). At a recent race there were 8 women out of 200 men!!! (Actually it was not an official race but we were timed and I finished 7th, I think 8th was DNF... The first lady in, a 16 yo girl!!!, was totally up there with the fastest men, I was really impressed!!!)

That is maybe my biggest motivation, put some women in there. But I couldn't care less about winning or even coming in the highest spots on the roster... I love being involved in something where I can be last and it doesn't matter.

I also find events in general make extremely good and motivating training goals.

Personnality issue? It may have become a personality issue, but maybe because I'm a sociologist I definitely see it as a social thing. Until recently in history women were NOT encouraged to participate in competitive sports but rather to stay on the side and cheer for their male heroes... Even today many competition sports are not considered appropriate for women, and let's say that, exception made for some families, girls are not pushed in becoming competitive in sports, and there's not that many role-models for us out there compared to men. So of course many of us may (sincerely) not be interested in racing (of any sort) but it's not as if it would have been seriously presented as an acceptable option for a lady through our lives. So no wonder it doesn't come "naturally" to us to feel like racing.

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If you don't race, but plan on it, what is the threshold? A certain avg. pace? Staying with a fast group?

After starting cycling last summer, I had decided to give racing a try. However, an unexpected pregnancy squelched those plans. Maybe next season???

Road riding came really easy to me. After just a month of riding, I was keeping up with the faster group ride at 23-25 mph for 40 miles. The club has been trying to recruit women to race along with their mens team and I thought I would step up to the challenge.

I like doing new things and proving myself against the odds. I love facing physical challenges and finding out how strong the human body really is. Hopefully I'll be able to give racing a try.

1) Why did you descide to start racing?
It started as being on a team for a 24 hour mtb relay race. I found that i liked pushing myself.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
I am sponsored by a local bike shop. I used to have a coach, but he quit coaching to go back to a "real" job.

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
I do most of my training on my own, and i have to say right now that it is 50/50 with men and women.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
Nope. Mom never let me play. it interfered with studying.

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing
Most women aren't competitive enough or agressive enough. They don't see the point of racing. Many women don't get a lot of support, and i believe that the lack of exposure of women's sports in general just give that "what's the point" feel to female competitiveness.

I have not yet raced but would love to. I have only been riding for about two months and need some more time and training on the bike so I am looking at next spring. I have always competed in "aggressive" sports, like martial arts, kick boxing, body building and powerlifting so I am kinda used to being one of very few girls in a training atmosphere. I think the challenge will be to either find a trainer to help me get started or perhaps get on a team that has members that might be willing to help with this. I think something that would help more people race is maybe local seminars about racing and as far as Im concerned it wouldnt matter if they were for men or women, I would really want to attend.

Thanks for asking and showing interest in getting more of us to race!

[QUOTE=runnergirl4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?

What do you consider an agressive sport? (just wondering)

With regard to converting non racers to racing - I think you might find that some of us are inspired by different things in cycling. Its not a matter of feeling not experienced enough or not having enough women to train with its that we dream a different dream. I cant speak for others but I know when I read about women that have cycled massive distances that this is the challenge I want to step up for.

Having said that I am sure with women like you out there that are willing to offer positive feedback and encouragment you may find a few more racers come out of the woodwork with dreams of speed and podium places it just wont be me. :)

PS - I have played lots of different sports throughout my life including rowing (I raced in the masters cat).

I was thinking of lacrosse, field hockey, basketball, etc. as agressive sports. While crits aren't intended to be full contact it gets pretty close sometimes. Running, swimming, triathalon etc. while competative are more individual.

I understand that some women have no interest, and that's fine. For me, martial arts is a just for fun and personal improvement thing-no desire to go to tournaments etc. I see such a massive gap (only 10% of USCF members are female), but no real explanations as to why that gap is so large.

Racing is only one aspect of cycling, and I respect the many other varieties (messengers, recumbants, long distance touring, commuting etc.). Out of these various cycling outlets women are most under-represented in racing.

Getting into racing has been a difficult process for me, and I hope that by better understanding how other women think about cycling, and the barriers that exist, I might be able to effectively recruit women in my area. Someday I would love to get involved with a women's team or an east coast equivelent of velo bella.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Just for a bit more feedback...

I've played competitive team sports all my life. I played soccer as a child, soccer and volleyball in HS, and volleyball in college. When I started cycling, I think what really held me back from racing initially was because I thought I was too weak of a biker to race. I'm competitive and I like to do well in what I do. I biked with guys only and I was terrible compared to them causing me to think I would be humiliated racing. Don't get me wrong, they were supportive and said I was doing well, but I compared my beginner skills to their advanced skills and did not think I was capable of racing. Now, after riding with girls a couple times and advancing my skills, I'm more confident and hope to start racing next season.

1) Why did you descide to start racing?
It was a way to keep me motivated to ride. If it is wet, cold or muddy, I might consider blowing off a ride. But if I have a race coming up, I'll push myself out the door.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
I race solo except for one race per year. That race is a 5-person team (4 guys and me). For support, my LBS helps out with deals on parts and stuff that I buy. Also, they give me product to test for them.

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
Almost all my group riding is with men only. Occasionally some of the wives/girlfriends show up. But we split into 2 groups. I'm almost always the only female in the group.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
Aggressive? Nope. I was a competitive gymnast in high school and college.

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing?
As far as mountain biking goes, it's just a matter of lack of interest--at both the competitive level and just fun riding. You can't force people to like it. The fear of falling seems to be a big factor. But oddly enough, I am 100 times more afraid of falling on my road bike!

I have never raced nor had any particular interest in competition, but I wouldn't rule out racing in the future. It would all depend on finding the right kind of races to participate in. I wasn't into aggresive/contact sports in highschool. A lot of that was to do with my general klutziness and the fact that I was really busy with all the music I was involved in, but it was also because I enjoy sports for the social factor and the getting outdoors factor rather than the competition. If I found a race (or series of races) more about getting out there, giving it a go, having fun, meeting people and learning more about the sport than riding faster than everyone else I'd certainly consider entering it. There seem to be lots of triathlons like that, but not as much for other sports. I can imagine getting hooked if I did well, and it would provide motivation to get out there and ride when I couldn't entirely be bothered.

Well, so I'm pretty much wet-behind-the-ears when it comes to my bike skills but that didn't prevent me from trying to pass as many folks as possible during my last tri (Danskin Seattle) :D I didn't really even intend to kick it out on the road ride portion, but my competitive-ness got the better of me (and I wanted to see how fast I could go on I-90 when there aren't any cars around). Suprisingly, it was much easier to pace and pass in small spaces than I expected, and a lot of verbal communication helped loads in preventing any accidents, otherwise I may never have thought I could race other people.

So in response to question #1- I decided about 200 meters after I started pedaling the bike leg of the triathlon that I reallly really wanted to race it. I know that isn't a true bike race, but it made me want to get my skills solid so that I can in the future (Oh, and I finished 300th out of 4000 in the bike leg 154th overall, so that's not too shabby)

#2) No support, except for my boyfriend who bike-commutes with me.

#3) Sadly, I don't have any women to ride with

#4) I played soccer from ages 4-15 (to make me less shy, my parents said), b-ball from 7-12, started running competitively at age 12 thru 22 (and maybe again this year at 26)- so, yes, I think I'm pretty well steeped in competitive, aggressive sports, although I tend to be a quiet, mellow person otherwise.

#5) Main obstacles? I don't have anyone to ride with, and I'm a little concerned I'm not good enough with keeping control to ride with a group yet, nor do I know how to get started.... I imagine it's similar for a lot of women.

I've never raced and am not really competitive, except against myself. I like to challenge mind and body by overcoming obstacles such as distance, a faster pace, getting over longer/taller hills, etc. While a little "friendly competition" can be fun (ie., finishing a long group ride before x-percent of the group), for the most part, I like to ride just to get some exercise and enjoy the countryside.

Can't say I'd completely rule out racing, but I'm more interested in maybe a duathlon - provided a wide range of abilities participated. Serious competition doesn't interest me, and I guess you could say that bike racing is too aggressive for me as well - just looks too intense.

Deb