lack of women on a group ride w/ pro rider

[loopybunny]

I normally don't do group rides because I'm slow and I don't like people having to stop and wait for me. There are also different dynamics in a group ride that I don't quite understand. I'm never sure what the etiquette is and really don't want to commit a faux pas.

However, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride with Chris Horner of Team RadioShack on Saturday. It was a relatively flat, short 10 mile ride. There were maybe about 20 of us in the group, but there was only one other woman.

There were quite a few women at the start/finish with bikes and in gear, but they didn't join in the ride with Chris. I'm wondering why this is. Do you think maybe they were intimidated that the pace was going to be too high to keep up?

Surprisingly, it wasn't. Chris even said he was there to have a fun, relaxing ride. Our average speed was 12.5 mph, which is slower than I normally ride.

Not to say I wasn't expecting to be dropped immediately, but I decided I'd rather try and get dropped than not give myself the opportunity at all. Would you turn down the opportunity like this because of the fear of being dropped?

[bmccasland]

If it was an open ride, I'd give it a shot. A 12.5 mph ride is a lazy ride, even I could do that on a bad day. Heck, I'd be right there no matter what the estimated speed was. Beats me why people didn't start rolling. Good for you for riding, pooey on those that didn't ride.

[ny biker]

Omg I love him!! I want to take him out for a burger. I would totally have shown up for that ride.

[ScaldedCat]

I would have joined the ride like a shot, 12.5 mph is pootling down to the shops or shared use path speed. I'm really envious.

[loopybunny]

He did say he was going to take it easy. He was interviewed the morning before on a local station and I jokingly submitted the questions, "Will you rise slowly enough that I can keep up?" He said he, "I can." But his definition of slow is different than mine.

I was a little worried that there wouldn't be many other women, but I felt comforted when I saw quite a few. That is, until we got out on the road and I realized that they didn't come on the ride.

I just can't understand the thought process behind not coming. They were registered for the ride anyhow. Why not give it a go?

[arielmoon]

OMG go for it!

I am usually the only girl on group rides and right now I am the only one on the A ride. The guys look out for me and I never have to change a flat.

[pll]

How fun! I don't understand why anyone would show up and then not ride.

[Lifesgreat]

I am a really slow rider and would still have ridden.

Was it a charity ride with an additional fee? If so, that may have discouraged some from riding. Several years ago, at the Tour of Utah, Bob Roll did a charity ride. There were a number of people who rode, but the fee was nearly $100, as I recall. I think that limited the number of riders.

[Possegal]

I'd have been there in a heart beat! How much fun was that? Did you get any pictures?

I rode a 10 mile ride with Phil from the Amazing Race - last year I think? There were definitely more guys, but there were a number of women and some riding much heavier bikes and clearly not used to riding in a group, so I felt pretty OK figuring I was firmly in the middle as far as my speed/skill goes. I had a blast too!

Oh I'm so jealous of your ride!

[maillotpois]

I once got sucked in with the USPS peloton the day before the SF Grand Prix race (Hincapie, Azevedo, Eki, etc.) and rode with them for the best 15 miles EVER. I was the only woman, but it's not like I planned to ride with them. They joined me on my ride. It was amazing. I'm just glad I have really solid pack riding skills or I would not have wanted to be there.

I also did the Tour of Marin here a few years back w/Fred Rodriguez, Dave Z, Levi. There was a decent mix of women/men and a lot of women racers as well. I guess not that many non-racer type women. They didn't hammer because it was a charity ride, but they went pretty fast. I got dropped (with Tom Weisel) on White's hill but caught back up. Weisel's like me and goes down hill pretty fast.

I would LOVE to ride with Chris Horner. He is so clever and funny. So's Dave Z, but Dave seems almost a little more shy than Horner.

[Biciclista]

Perhaps a lot of the women were intimidated. Good for you for going on that ride!

[loopybunny]

I would LOVE to ride with Chris Horner. He is so clever and funny. So's Dave Z, but Dave seems almost a little more shy than Horner.

I've never met DZ, but I saw him interviewed on stage at the Tour of California. He didn't have a lot to say. Chris, on the other hand, never stopped talking!

He was also considerably more talkative that George Hincapie. I was at an event with Big G last April and didn't have the nerve to go up to him. He seemed really uncomfortable and nervous. Kept tugging at the hem of his jersey and didn't say much at all. I just stood back and took a load of photos.

Was it a charity ride with an additional fee? If so, that may have discouraged some from riding.

I think the idea was just to promote cycling in the area. The idea was that everyone rode into town then had a bit of a party. Cost was $30 just to ride, $50 for ride/t-shirt/lunch, and $100 for ride/jersey/lunch. It was completely unsupported. However, the women that were there and didn't ride with Chris all rode into town as part of a club. I just can't imagine showing up and not giving it a go, even if you could only hang on for a couple of miles. I assume they paid for the ride since they were there and I saw them at registration.

I'd have been there in a heart beat! How much fun was that? Did you get any pictures?

It was absolutely incredible. He was extremely friendly, approachable, and chatty. I even climbed a small hill (big enough to get out of the saddle) while riding beside him. At the turn around point he asked me if we were lost. He ended up telling me how Levi is always bragging about the weather in Sonoma County, but everytime he's there, it's pouring rain.

And of course I got pictures! (I take pictures of everything...)

Isn't he a doll?


I almost bought a Nissan on my way home...


More pictures on Flickr.
Full report on my blog here.

Maybe if they do this event again, more women will participate knowing that it wasn't a "rip your legs off" pace. I just felt a little disappointed and surprised that more women didn't come along. There seems to be so much energy put into ranting about women being underserved in the cycling industry, but then women show up to a group ride and don't bother riding. Seems like that doesn't help women gain attention and respect as valued members of the cycling community.

[Bike Writer]

Great blog Michelle and it sounds like you had a great ride, thank you for posting pictures of it. Sounded like a real lot of fun.