Bragging Just a Little - Or a Lot!

[SheFly]

I just had to brag a little bit. Our club, Northeast Bicycle Club (NEBC), was just named the Women's Club of the Year by USA Cycling! WOOHOO! We have a great team of women, and had seven national championships last year (and two more in Kansas today!). The club really focuses on women's racing, riding and development, and I am really excited to be a part of it (I am the 3/4 Women's captain).

Sorry to toot our own horn, but I had to share! Click here for the story.

SheFly

[Bluetree]

Congrats Shefly!
My club was voted Division I club of the year. We're celebrating this weekend.

BTW, It was also announced that the 2008 Elite and Junior Track and Road Championships will be held in my neck of the woods this August. Hope to see you and your team out here.

[velogirl]

horn-tooting is what it's all about! congratulations. I was so impressed that you have 100 licensed women -- that's just incredible.

so, how do the men in the club feel about being part of the "womens' club of the year?"

[SheFly]

Thanks! And congrats, Bluetree, on your club's recognition as well!

After our women's results in Kansas today (two National champs, one second place, one third and one tenth), the men are going to have to buck up tomorrow, and get used to the fact .

Lorri - didn't your club win this recognition in a previous year?

SheFly

[silver]

How cool!!!! congrats!!!!

[Starfish]

wow. I am so intimidated by racing that it sounds amazing to have so many women around who are so good. wow.

[velogirl]

Lorri - didn't your club win this recognition in a previous year?

SheFly

yup! we were named women's club of the year in 2003 and 2006 and Division II club of the year in 2004. nothing this year, but I think they need to spread the wealth around so they don't pick the same clubs too many years in a row.....

[indysteel]

Great job!!!!! Congrats to both your clubs!

[nancy sv]

WOOHOO!!! Congrats!! That's wonderful news!

[Sheesh]

Congratulations, Shefly! I think it's great that the women who race are out there encouraging other women riders. You're an inspiration!

[SheFly]

wow. I am so intimidated by racing that it sounds amazing to have so many women around who are so good. wow.

While racing can certainly be intimidating to some, it doesn't have to be. I try really hard to encourage (but not push) women to try it, at least once, and provide them some guidance to go with it. We also have a spring racing clinic the club puts on to teach people the basics.

Oh - and not all of us are good, but we do have fun .

SheFly

[RoadRaven]

SheFly - way to go!
And you too, BlueTree

We don't have the critical mass in this little country to have women's only bike clubs (other kiwi's, please enlighten me if I am mistaken) but it is heartening to hear that such clubs have such great success (and fun a long the way) in other parts of the world!

SheFly, I know how dedicated you are to it all!
And yeah, like you, I try to prompt/gently encourage women cyclists I know to try racing. Our club has a beginners grade for new members to find their way and the few women I have managed to convince to "have a go" have found (like me) that racing at club level is huge fun (mind you, we do have an awesome and supportive club...)

But CONGRATS... to both of you... such fabulous news!

[Crankin]

Congratulations, Cathy. It's so great that NEBC is encouraging women. They were very encouraging to juniors, too when Scott started.
Hope your "off" time is restful and fun.

Robyn

[Bluetree]

Thanks everyone.

We have a young gal on the team named Coryn Rivera. She's not simply talented... even the most jaded racers acknowledge her as a true phenom. We're hoping she can continue her trajectory and become the superstar who could give women's cycling the national attention/respect it deserves.