What would you like to know?

[shootingstar]

Good points to mull over, smileycat. It does help to have a small core group..at least 2-4 other women who share in leadership /organization of "stuff". But even the little core group of leaders get burnt out too.

Another thing is:

Understanding leadership (if you want to be of the spearheaders of an organization) and your own personality style in cycling. It can set the tone for the organization and group dynamics. It's quite different to be just a competitive racer vs. a leader for an organization to have a viable membership that doesn't stagnate.

How to see and understand the relationship of your cycling group to other local cycling related organizations. It helps that the group leaders aren't just solely racers/competitors, from a marketing perspective and building bigger membership.

In our core group we had a transportation policy analyst who was a tourer, a woman who toured and ran her own cycling/walking touring business, etc. Some of us had cross memberships with cycling advocacy organizations. Cross-organizational linkages are great for getting the word out about our group because people will send referrals to us. I remember the lst year when we folded our organization and I was at a bike trade show...painful to hear someone unable to give referral to a women's organization when the women were looking for support.... they came from out of town to the show....and I was standing nearby..

Seems like so far for most co-ed large cycling events, rides..etc. that I've participated, is usually is less women in the group.

Still lots to drum up participation. It's difficult to build racing numbers among women..when the foundation needs to be laid first.

[velogirl]

wow! I somehow missed a bunch of these replies (busy breaking up with my boyfriend last weekend). Alas.....

Here's where I'm going with this. Any thoughts?

Creating a Meaningful Women’s Cycling Program

Why Velo Girls – How it all Began

Why Programs Specifically for Women – Gender Differences in Cycling
• Desire for Community
• Need for Education
• How we Approach Competition
• Why we Begin Riding

Various Business Models
• Women’s Program within an Existing Co-ed Cycling Club
• Women’s Cycling Club
• Programs for Women within an Existing Coaching Organization
• Coaching Organization focused on Women
• Regional Organization
• Women’s Cycling Group within a Multi-Sport Club
• Women’s Event/Program within a Sponsor Organization (ie bike shop, health club, fitness center, corporation, local race association).

Developing Women Cyclists
• Why Women Start Riding
• How to Find Them
o

Partnering with bike shops
o Partnering with other Women’s organizations
o Partnering with other Cycling and Fitness Organizations

• How to Recruit Them
• How to Retain Them

Developing Women Racers
• Just What is Development Anyways?
• Competitive Athletes from other Disciplines
• Recreational Riders
• Demographic of “Typical” New Woman Racer

Retaining Women Racers:
• Life gets in the Way (Career, Motherhood, Partner’s Priorities)
• Keeping Women Engaged
• Overcoming Fears
• Providing Opportunities (ie working with Promoters)
• Dealing with Failure
• Managing Success

Does One Size Fit All?
• Juniors
• Masters
• Elites
• Recreational Riders
• Multi-Sport Athletes

Ideas for Success:
• Skills Education
• Health & Fitness Education
• Mentorship
• Community
• Sustainability
o L

eadership
o Group Dynamics
o Variety of Opportunities
o Measuring Success

Challenges of a Gender-Based Organization:
• Geography
• Working with Women
• Reaction of the Other Gender
• Competition with other Women’s Organizations

How to Overcome the Challenges to Being a Leader in a Man’s World

Concluding Thoughts

[snowtulip]

Wow Velogirl!! Lots of information to discuss, I wish I could be there to hear your presentation.

Good luck and I hope you get lots of additional feedback, this has been a great thread to read.

[velogirl]

I just want to express how much I appreciate all of you taking time to share your thoughts. I actually had a hard time wrapping my head around this topic and it was all of you who helped me focus in.

Thank you!

Lorri

[salsabike]

That outline looks great! Wish I could hear it too.

[tulip]

Well, I seem to be just full of ideas today...

I loved commuting to work on my bike when I worked in an office. I got a few people in my office to also commute to work, at least from time-to-time.

Most people express dismay about bike commuting--too far, weather woes, traffic fears, dealing with clothes and clean-up, etc.

In DC, there was a program by the local advocacy group to have commuter mentors--someone who you could call to ride to work with you. I tried to be such a mentor, but I never got a response to my inquiries, so I gave up with them. I still think it's a great idea, though.

Do any of you have experience with bike commuter mentor programs? That, too, could be a good way to get women on bikes, and even recreational riders together through commuting.

[Geonz]

Tulip, I got into cycling in Richmond. It was a February and I'd called a fellow for dinner to thank him for helping me teach a guitar class, and his obviously no-longer-ex answered his phone, and I thought "it's time to meet new people!"

That Saturday, I went on the Ashland Breakfast Club ride. I called the leader (they rotate every week - you sign up to lead one Saturday and do the sign-up sheet and help people connect)... showed up Saturday and he looks at my hybrid and looks at me and says "how fast do you go?" and I said "I don't know," and he points at this group of folks and says "they go your speed."

They did! We rode out to Hardee's where everybody literally regroups and decides how far they're *really* going. Our group ended up going 42 miles but at no point was I in the back of the group. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have been amazed because they could have dropped me in a heartbeat. Instead there was lots of talk about cycling and the sights theyh'd seen and the meals they'd had, and the idea taht if cycling was so much fun, why did some people want to get it over with as soon as possible?

Dang it, I just checked the website and *today's* leader is Rickey Davis - one of thsoe guys. Oops, I gotta go send him a late CHristmas card ... http://www.raba.org/ is the club site.

[guruchic]

Velogirl,

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute. This Spring will be my second season in the saddle. I truly love the sport and completed my first century ride after three months training. I am now training in the off season but found it really hard to find a good training routine. I must have visited over 30 sites online only to find they were all so different.

I am riding (indoor) and lifting which has really helped. I was doing the base training and now am progressing into higher intensity work outs. I finally found a program but it took me forever and if it weren't for my search skills on the computer, I might never have found anything.

I do not race but am a very intense non competitive rider. I have given this much thought and would love a program that included guidelines on nutrition, yoga(for stretching and mental strength), weights and cycling periodization for the serious non-competitive woman. Good luck with your presentation.

[Cyclesome]

This is a great thread! I truly enjoyed reading all of the responses.
I especially agreed with Vmax and Salsabike and feel I can readily relate to their ideas. I recently returned back into cycling two years ago and ride on both the trail and roads, last year about 1400 miles.

I would love knowledge of how create a recreational bike club in my county, including organized rides on the trail. This year our trail will connect Pitt to Washington DC. Many opportunities for riding w/o traffic.

I also think there is a great need for bike handling skill clinics.

Thanks for allowing me to respond.

[shootingstar]

You have an outline, velogirl where you could write a book. You need to offer an all-day session based on your outline. Or 3 days.

Or organize a conference and get some of us to do the workshops.

One thing about this split mentality in the cycling world of racing/competitive vs. non-racing/non-competitive.....it seems that anything non-competitive is deemed 'recreational'. Tell that to a randonneur (which I'm not) where alot of them aren't really competing against anyone...except against their own time.

which is no different than some of us who ride non-competitively, but do set general /vague goals to improve during the cycling season. Then there are functional /commuter cyclists who do have to cycle regularily, for transporation because they don't have a car. I know alot of people who just don't have cars. But some of so seasoned under trying weather conditions that they have become strong riders.

The audience to your presentation should be seriously challenged/questioned that this split thinking is way too narrow to get more women on bikes and get them to stay on the bikes for many years to come.

[tulip]

...That Saturday, I went on the Ashland Breakfast Club ride...

Yep, been meaning to do that ride. Thanks for the push. I rode alot with some DC groups, and I miss those rides.

Velogirl, thanks for all your efforts. And best wishes for a quick rebound from your breakup. You seem very resilient, but I know it's not easy. Let us know how the conference goes.