lack of women on a group ride w/ pro rider

[loopybunny]

I would LOVE to ride with Chris Horner. He is so clever and funny. So's Dave Z, but Dave seems almost a little more shy than Horner.

I've never met DZ, but I saw him interviewed on stage at the Tour of California. He didn't have a lot to say. Chris, on the other hand, never stopped talking!

He was also considerably more talkative that George Hincapie. I was at an event with Big G last April and didn't have the nerve to go up to him. He seemed really uncomfortable and nervous. Kept tugging at the hem of his jersey and didn't say much at all. I just stood back and took a load of photos.

Was it a charity ride with an additional fee? If so, that may have discouraged some from riding.

I think the idea was just to promote cycling in the area. The idea was that everyone rode into town then had a bit of a party. Cost was $30 just to ride, $50 for ride/t-shirt/lunch, and $100 for ride/jersey/lunch. It was completely unsupported. However, the women that were there and didn't ride with Chris all rode into town as part of a club. I just can't imagine showing up and not giving it a go, even if you could only hang on for a couple of miles. I assume they paid for the ride since they were there and I saw them at registration.

I'd have been there in a heart beat! How much fun was that? Did you get any pictures?

It was absolutely incredible. He was extremely friendly, approachable, and chatty. I even climbed a small hill (big enough to get out of the saddle) while riding beside him. At the turn around point he asked me if we were lost. He ended up telling me how Levi is always bragging about the weather in Sonoma County, but everytime he's there, it's pouring rain.

And of course I got pictures! (I take pictures of everything...)

Isn't he a doll?


I almost bought a Nissan on my way home...


More pictures on Flickr.
Full report on my blog here.

Maybe if they do this event again, more women will participate knowing that it wasn't a "rip your legs off" pace. I just felt a little disappointed and surprised that more women didn't come along. There seems to be so much energy put into ranting about women being underserved in the cycling industry, but then women show up to a group ride and don't bother riding. Seems like that doesn't help women gain attention and respect as valued members of the cycling community.