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?

[Clare]

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?

I like to ride by myself...I rode with a group once, and although it was a good experience, I enjoy my solitary rides more. It's kind of my alone time.

I used to race...tris and marathons...and maybe one day I'll get the 'racing' bug again. But exactly what is a bike race? Is a century a race? Maybe getting the word out about bike racing, and what it all means would be a good start. I feel stupid when it comes to knowing exactly what is meant by bike racing. Also, there are always posters out about marathons or 5k's or running type races...but I don't ever recall seeing anything about a bike race in my community.

Hope this helps

[runnergirl]

Wow!!! Thanks for all the responses! Very helpful!

It seems that there is a major personality factor in who chooses to race and who doesn't. Is this a set thing, do you think women who ride for fun can be "converted," or would it be a better strategy to find women who have the disposition to race and try and get them on bikes?

Clare, I would consider centuries in the "touring" catagory. They're a lot like running events in that participation and personal goals are what matter. Racing can be divided into mountain and road. Mt. racing includes cross country, downhill, and other types I don't know about since I'm a chicken about single track. Road racing includes time trials, road races, and criteriums. Time trials are solo events-you against the clock on a set course-person with the best time wins. Road races and criteriums are pack races, and in most cases if you can't stay with the pack you will be pulled off the course-they can be quite fast, crashes are common, etc. The goal is to win, place, or aquire points in a series. Hope I've got that all right!

[Zub_Zub]

I started racing because thats the only type of cycling my school had. I started cycling because a friend at school bugged me into it. Really the racing was a bonus. I did the team time trails for my school this year to make up a senoir team. ow we have had a lot of new cyclist jopin so Ill stay next year to help train/support them. Ive started to do races and the such out side of school and i just find them fun. With all the different people who cycle.
Marie

[singletrackmind]

1) Why did you descide to start racing?
Talked into by the guys I rode with.
2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
An LBS asked me to ride for them.
3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
Women? What women? When I was racing it was rare to find another woman fast enough and on a mountain bike.
4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
NO. I ran track for a year, then work obligations took over.
5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing?
I quit for a few reasons. Turnout-not enough women to race against, that led to promoters to lump all women racers together, podium spots and all. I didn't like that those of us with more experience were taking all the places/prizes and the beginner women were being left out in the cold. I thought it was more important that they get recognition and encouragement. I asked the promoters to award the trophies for the beginner women and maybe send some schwag our way. After awhile it got a little silly to pay $20+ bucks for a little adrenaline and some cheap schwag. I found the fast beginners, sport and above men to be encouraging though it got a little aggravating that they'd start us a few minutes behind the beginner men. We'd catch up to those guys quick and they wouldn't let us pass. I've rolled over a few bikes because you'd have to ride on their wheel til they got nervous enough to crash before you could get by. Oy.

I loved the adrenaline (except the part where you're waiting at the start and all of a sudden you REALLY have to pee-why is that??) and the race scene but for now I'll live without. It's just as much fun to ride my own ride and it doesn't cost me $20 bucks to do it, either!

[MightyMitre]

I sometimes do time trials as they're a good way to gauge fitness improvements, plus its fun to represent my club and meet up with my clubmates, but generally I just prefer to ride - either on my own or with 1 or 2 others. I like the lack of pressure - if I feel like doing some structured training one month then I can, but I sometimes find training for a specific event, while giving me focus, can sometimes take the joy of of riding. Maybe I put too much pressure on myself/the event.

It seems that there is a major personality factor in who chooses to race and who doesn't. Is this a set thing, do you think women who ride for fun can be "converted," or would it be a better strategy to find women who have the disposition to race and try and get them on bikes?

This is an interesting one. I think women who ride for fun can be converted - some might just need a little push, be offered the opportunity and given the support. This might be especially so for those who have come to sports later in life or have never really been involved in sports. I've met a number of women cyclists who's kids are now old enough to stay home alone, and they can't get enough of it. One in particular now races anything and everything.

Having said that though, it really does depend on whether riders want to be converted. If the opportunity is there for the taking then great, but I suppose not everyone will want to take it and are happy just to get out and ride.

[mtbdarby]

Hey Runnergirl,
Interesting thread, I can see why you stirred the pot.

For the racers:
1) Why did you descide to start racing? Lots of reasons. I've only been mtb since May of this year. I did my first 4 x 12 race at the end of July. One reason was a personal goal - I need a goal to motivate me. Second was I was told I shouldn't even ride let alone race because of my thyroid. Guess I don't like being told what I can/cannot do And finally, I had just broken up with my bf and I had told him I'd ride on a team with his 13 yo son. I wasn't not gonna ride because we weren't going out, I just got a new team.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)? I joined a local bike club and (can't believe I'm admitting this) I hopped on match.com and found some male bikers in this area to ride with. It's hard to find female mtb's.

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates? Group riding is with the club which is actually about 50/50.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college? Oh yeah...

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing? Knowing that it's out there and how to get started. A huge obstacle in training for me is that I'm a single mom to a 3 yo and I'm new to the area. I can't afford $60+ a month for babysitting one night a week because I only get my little guy during the week. I will only give up so much time with him so I can ride. I do have a trailer for him but he doesn't always want to ride and I will only take the trailer on the road. There are no trails within biking distace to me, I have to drive. I don't have a bike carrier either, so cost is also an issue. I've spent over $1000 this summer on a bike, clothes, assessories, trail passes, race fees, trailer and baby sitting. I also think it's a little intimidating to get into the sport. It is male dominated and they treat you like you know what you're doing or are at a level beyond where you are. I think that was a big source of my nervousness and frustration in the beginning. If you can start out making it fun and challanging, I think you stand a better chance of getting women into in and retaining them - wether they choose to race or not. You have to get them riding first, right?

Hope that helps.

[RebeccaAnn]

I don't race. While I enjoy an occasional group ride, riding for me is much more a solo activity. I enjoy looking at the scenery, taking new roads, and the only competition involved is against my own prior performance.

Now I'm usually pulling a trailer anyway. Singletrackmind, do you think we can organize a race of Trailer Moms here in St. Louis? One with stops every 2 miles or so to retrieve toys & sippy cups from the bottom of the trailer, use the drinking fountain, watch construction workers/trash collectors/trains for a few minutes, eat Cheerios, etc.?

Runnergirl, what reasons are the guys at bikeforums giving for racing/not racing? Do their responses differ from ours? I guess I could amble over and read it for myself....