All time high number of women in WA?

[Eden]

I think today we may have had an all time high in the number of cat 4 women out racing! There were over 60 and they had to actually split the field into 2 groups (4's are limited to 50 at a time) The promoter was gracious and allowed all comers to race (they had to do the same with the cat 5 men). I think it also proved that there actually is time to add more fields. Maybe this will mean that someday we might actually see a regularly scheduled women's masters field. We are getting there with the 3's. I'd say about a third of races here now have 3's only fields. Today we were combined, but though our 1,2,3 field was a little more modest, I'd say we had at least 30 or more.

[SheFly]

That's it - I'm moving to WA

SheFly

[XMcShiftersonX]

How does one get in to road racing? I think it would be fun, but I don't think I'm nearly fast or experienced enough to actually do it. So, just curious! How fast are the women's teams actually going?

[tulip]

That's quite a change from when I was racing and all the women were together in one field--absolute beginners and Olympians. Pretty discouraging for the non-Olympians among us (but also kindof neat to be starting right next to your idol!)

[Eden]

How does one get in to road racing? I think it would be fun, but I don't think I'm nearly fast or experienced enough to actually do it. So, just curious! How fast are the women's teams actually going?

You can get into road racing as an "unattached rider" at any time, but IMHO, joining a team is the best way to get some experience, some mentoring and to have a good experience. I'd say keep riding all this summer and do the CTS rides. If you feel like you want to be challenged some more, keep an eye out in the fall for the "Meet the Team" rides. (I always post them here). Teams in this area recruit in September-October.

If you are itching to try out racing you can go to Tuesday night races at Pacific Raceways in Auburn. It's the one venue around that I feel totally comfortable telling a newcomer to jump right into. These are basically circuit races on a closed racing track (its a car racing track at other times). There are experienced mentors that ride with the newbies at every women's only race. Last year they started splitting the women into a regular 4's group and a group for total newbies. I'm not entirely sure how they are working it this year. Go to www.buduracing.com and check out the women's training series.

How fast.... as always a tricky question. Most of the time its not how fast you are going on average, but the surges in speed that pop people. It depends on the racers who show and the tactics (or lack there of...) being used how fast the race will run. Just remember that its pack riding, so even if it seems or sounds faster than you think you can go, its not as hard as riding alone.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Good information! Thank you. I'm doing a lot of riding this year, so maybe in the fall I'll check out the meet the teams rides for fun, I don't know if I would have the time to actually commit to that even if I was at a point where I was good enough to join. So, I'd have to see. But those Tuesday night races look cool! I'd at least like to go as a spectator and see what it's all about first.

[BalaRoja]

Good information! Thank you. I'm doing a lot of riding this year, so maybe in the fall I'll check out the meet the teams rides for fun, I don't know if I would have the time to actually commit to that even if I was at a point where I was good enough to join. So, I'd have to see. But those Tuesday night races look cool! I'd at least like to go as a spectator and see what it's all about first.

I'd listen doubly close to everything Eden tells you. She and others who have commented in this thread, like SheFly, gave some great tips for my first road race which was last weekend.

To give you a different perspective I ride as Eden described 'unattached'. Truthfully none of the teams in my area have remotely interested or impressed me. There's no semblance of mentoring, clinics, recruitment or any sort of initiative on the part of these clubs. Despite that, I didn't get dirty looks or get treated like a leper in the pack during my race because I'd ridden with at least some of the girls in the event.

You on the other hand are in an area that, from Eden's comments at least, is a vibrant hub for women's racing. Soak it in and take advantage of the considerable resources you have nearby. One easy way to dip your toes into the racing world is to sign up for a local TT or a hill climb. If nothing else, definitely go watch the races, talk to people, and maybe even think about volunteering at an event. You'll get at least some feel for how the whole thing works and that can make it less overwhelming and intimidating.

[Eden]

No one will give you dirty looks or treat you like a leper for being unattached here - well, not if you don't do anything really, really stupid at least.... then you'll likely get yelled at, but a person on a team would get the same treatment. The main difference would be that the team person would probably be yelled at by name and the unattached rider would get a hey [jersey color]

I just think that this year especially with the numbers of women we have out there that being unattached will be harder than ever. It can be pretty intimidating to ride in a pack of 50 people. Even if you have done some group rides, its different when people are 4 across the road and jostling for position. Even 4 years ago when I started it was a big turn out if 30 showed up and it was rare that the group didn't split right away, so it was unusual to really be racing with more than 10-12 other women- not any more. Plus there's been enough participation in the past few years that there is an experienced core of 4's out here and they are actually doing some team racing - and there are even enough teams now to make it interesting.

Pac Raceways is good for a few reasons - It's a closed course, with few places that are even a little dicey. It's always a possibility to touch someone's wheel, but the course doesn't have an tight turns or anything like that. It is very wide- there's always lots of room to spread out and no center line to have to worry about. It's easier for new people to move around and get used to riding close, but still allows them an out if they get uncomfortable. The groups tend to be smaller - lots of people just can't or don't want to go out on a weekday night to race. There are mentors - higher cat women volunteer to ride along and coach. The overall experience level is lower - so really new racers get to ride with other really new racers rather than being thrown right in with folks who've been at it for years.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Thanks to both of you for your input. That does sound nice Eden... I must admit that part of my apprehension is over the fear of riding in such close quarters with other people. I am afraid of crashing and getting hurt, which my husband says happens a lot at the beginner level. My husband also likes to tease me when we're out riding by getting really close to me. I freak out, and he laughs and says, I'm just preparing you for what it's going to be like at STP or any other big rides that you do. So, that would definitely have to be something to get over! Are there any long distance races around here?

[zatar]

Pac Raceways is good for a few reasons - It's a closed course, with few places that are even a little dicey. It's always a possibility to touch someone's wheel, but the course doesn't have an tight turns or anything like that. It is very wide- there's always lots of room to spread out and no center line to have to worry about. It's easier for new people to move around and get used to riding close, but still allows them an out if they get uncomfortable. The groups tend to be smaller - lots of people just can't or don't want to go out on a weekday night to race. There are mentors - higher cat women volunteer to ride along and coach. The overall experience level is lower - so really new racers get to ride with other really new racers rather than being thrown right in with folks who've been at it for years.

I'm interested in Pacific Raceways, Eden, but wondering if the higher cat women you mentioned are there every week, or just at the nights with women's clinics? I think it could be really helpful to me, as a relatively new racer.

[Eden]

Mentoring would only happen on nights with the women's races. There might be women who go out and race with the men on other nights, but they'd just be training on their own.

If it fits into your schedule go! It really is a low pressure place where you can learn tactics and pack handling. Usually there are 3 to 4 higher cat women who will ride along and give advice.

[zatar]

Awesome, thanks so much for the information, Eden. It sounds like a great opportunity and I'll definitely try to work it into my schedule!