Trek Women Who Ride

[Crankin]

I am not sure that Amy meant anything mean when she said that cycling is primarily an upper middle class sport. I didn't misconstrue it at all; of course, we want everyone to ride! They don't need to be riding $5,000 carbon bikes and they don't need to be riding fast. But to get people who are currently sedentary to ride, the cycling community needs to market differently. I'm not a business person, so I can't address that.
However, when you look at the people who ride for fitness or race, it is primarily upper middle class white people, at least here in the Boston area. I belong to 2 clubs and I don't think I've ever seen an African American on any rides. I'm not sure how we can change this.
This reminds me of something that I witnessed many years ago. We took our kids skiing at Burke Mountain, which is way up in Vermont. It was not a popular place in the early 90s. Since I was X country skiing and they were downhill, we decided to meet up in the lodge. As we were getting ready to leave, we heard a very distinguished looking older African American man say quite loudly to a white kid, "What's the matter? You've never seen a Black man skiing?" We assumed the kid must have been rudely staring at the man, but everyone laughed when he said this.

[SheFly]

I am not sure that Amy meant anything mean when she said that cycling is primarily an upper middle class sport. I didn't misconstrue it at all; of course, we want everyone to ride! They don't need to be riding $5,000 carbon bikes and they don't need to be riding fast. But to get people who are currently sedentary to ride, the cycling community needs to market differently. I'm not a business person, so I can't address that.
However, when you look at the people who ride for fitness or race, it is primarily upper middle class white people, at least here in the Boston area. I belong to 2 clubs and I don't think I've ever seen an African American on any rides. I'm not sure how we can change this.
This reminds me of something that I witnessed many years ago. We took our kids skiing at Burke Mountain, which is way up in Vermont. It was not a popular place in the early 90s. Since I was X country skiing and they were downhill, we decided to meet up in the lodge. As we were getting ready to leave, we heard a very distinguished looking older African American man say quite loudly to a white kid, "What's the matter? You've never seen a Black man skiing?" We assumed the kid must have been rudely staring at the man, but everyone laughed when he said this.

Quad Cycles has a really good Cat 4 African American racer. He's a great racer and very friendly to talk to at the races as well. There is also an African American rider that lives in Bedford - I think he's mostly a commuter, but may do some racing as well. You are right though - in this area it is more white people.

I will, however, argue, at least from a race and my club perspective, the upper middle class differntiation. We have A LOT of young, just starting out in life, racers and club members who don't have a lot of extra income, and wouldn't consider themselves "upper middle class"; likewise, trades-people/"blue collar" workers. I know a lot of riders who scrounge for spare parts, cheap, used, free to be able to fuel their passion. Not everyone is out racing on expensive bikes - a couple of racers/friends I know just bought complete 'cross bikes (no-name) for under $800 - was all they could afford. I also have friends who have just gone out and bought custom Sevens...

Here's what I LOVE about cycling - it doesn't matter to me what color you are, what you do for a living, what your social status is. As long as we have cycling in common, all of that goes out the window and is irrelevant. This is a great sport in that sense.

I do also agree with Velogirl - different levels of "cyclists" out there.

SheFly

p.s.
Robyn - DH grew up near Burke, and an African American skiing would defnitely draw some looks from the locals...

[amymisk]

Thanks Robyn for your reply.

The trouble with writing, sometimes the message gets misconstrued or misunderstood.

I said it is primarily a white middle to upper class sport. When I watch pro racers, ride around my home, and in charity rides, in magazines, I see primarily white cyclists.

I love the sport and this site and didn't want to offend anyone. I was making an observation.

Geonz is probably right about the marketing group for Trek, have the money, need help in the skill.

I still also believe that this country doesn't see cycling as a "sport" like they view Football, Hockey, Baseball, and Basketball. If they only knew how dangerous cycling can be! I would love to see more mainstream information/marketing for cycling, but in our current society, I don't think it will happen.

I know that this is a sport for anyone and most cyclists are very welcoming and encouraging.