The State of Women's Racing

[han-grrl]

1) Why did you descide to start racing?
It started as being on a team for a 24 hour mtb relay race. I found that i liked pushing myself.

2) What kind of local support do you have(ie team)?
I am sponsored by a local bike shop. I used to have a coach, but he quit coaching to go back to a "real" job.

3) How much of your group riding is with men, do you have female teammates?
I do most of my training on my own, and i have to say right now that it is 50/50 with men and women.

4) Did you play agressive sports in HS/college?
Nope. Mom never let me play. it interfered with studying.

5) What do you see as the main obstacles to women racing
Most women aren't competitive enough or agressive enough. They don't see the point of racing. Many women don't get a lot of support, and i believe that the lack of exposure of women's sports in general just give that "what's the point" feel to female competitiveness.

[Musclicious505]

I have not yet raced but would love to. I have only been riding for about two months and need some more time and training on the bike so I am looking at next spring. I have always competed in "aggressive" sports, like martial arts, kick boxing, body building and powerlifting so I am kinda used to being one of very few girls in a training atmosphere. I think the challenge will be to either find a trainer to help me get started or perhaps get on a team that has members that might be willing to help with this. I think something that would help more people race is maybe local seminars about racing and as far as Im concerned it wouldnt matter if they were for men or women, I would really want to attend.

Thanks for asking and showing interest in getting more of us to race!