The State of Women's Racing

[runnergirl]

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!

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!!!

[SalsaMTB]

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.

[tatormc]

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.

[CorsairMac]

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?

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!

[Trekhawk]

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!

Ditto for me.

[Kimred]

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.

[Irulan]

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

[JanT]

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?

[Trekhawk]

[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).

[runnergirl]

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!

[SalsaMTB]

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.

[Adventure Girl]

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!

[DirtDiva]

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.

[Deborajen]

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

[trickytiger]

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) 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.