It probably sounds heftier than it is, but I have a load of cycling work ahead of me in the next ten months and I am actively seeking tips and advice from the talented women here.
The school I work at in St. Louis has a varsity cycling team and I've (finally) been hired to be the assistant coach for the 2012 season-- I am PUMPED. I've been riding with the team for the past few years during the week, but the school wouldn't pay for a third coach. Our founding coach has moved on to another school, which opened up the position for me. I've been riding steadily since 2007, but I've never done an exclusive cycling race... triathlons yes, trail duathlons yes, but never a real road race. One of the expectations that the head coach and I have set for ourselves is that we race alongside our kids-- I with the ladies, he with the gents. I'm a bit nervous about racing (I'm sure it will be fine once I'm doing it), and with our season over with I'm trying to fathom how to get started into it mid-season. Any tips for that?
I've been very geeky about it all and am busy setting specific goals for myself, but I'm ready to take road riding seriously and to begin racing. I got myself the Cyclist's Training Bible, but I'd love to hear some reading recommendations from female riders. I also read and enjoyed Race Weight.
One of the best parts about being an official coach is that I've finally gotten all our girls real women's jerseys. It was pretty awful being told we had to wear baggy men's jerseys because there was no way to order just a few jerseys. Well, that's now been worked out. We'll be getting some rad jerseys made by zbikewear, in women's and men's sizes :D
Anyway, if you are a road rider in St. Louis and would be interested in inviting a spring chicken out on some rides, please PM me. I am getting closer to proper group ride shape. I would love to meet up for some 40-50 mile easy spin rides though. I need to build up my base!
