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.