How to get more women into cycling

[Crankin]

I try to take the same attitude as SheFly, although I am clearly not at her level! I ride with a couple of friends who are slower than me, because I want them to enjoy riding. I also enjoy having my DH or other males push me some of the time. I don't do most group rides because of the phenomena described, and I am lucky I found a group that has the same philosophy as me.
Now, I just need to get to the rides more this year.

[SheFly]

Owlie - absolutely YES! To me, it isn't about the pace of the ride - it's about the camaraderie and supporting other women who WANT to ride. There are days I can go out and do a fast ride with the boys, and other days when I can go out and do a slower-paced ride. Either works for me, as long as I am on my bike .

Here in the metro Boston area, the club I belong to started a weekly women's ride open to ANY women who want to ride (i.e., you don't have to be a member of our club). The ride meets at the SAME place every week, and follows the SAME route every week. This allows us to ensure that the women know where they are going. We also offer several different speed/ability groups from beginner (never ridden in a group/paceline, typically 12-14 mph), 14-16 mph, 16-18 mph, and a fast group over 18. All rides, with the exception of the fast ride, are NO DROP. And if someone DOES get dropped, because all rides follow the same route, they get picked up by the ride behind them (we leave fastest group to slowest group). Each group has a ride leader and a sweep, who are typically club members. The ride runs from beginning of May to the end of August, and we typically have 30-40 women show up. It's pretty awesome.

I share this, because I think it is a good model. We are moving into our 5th or 6th year of this ride, and haven't really changed anything about it. If anyone is interested in starting something like this, I'm happy to discuss. All it takes is a little organization.

So, come ride! Just let me know when.

SheFly

[Jo-n-NY]

I lead a couple of B paced rides out of our local bike shop, Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday early evening. At the end of last season I started a Ladies Social ride which I do after the Sunday B ride since that route is a bit shorter than Saturdays. This ride is aimed for women who ride hybrid, comfort or even a beginner road bike. The route is 7-10miles at a very relaxed pace. I received a good response and will begin it at the beginning of the season this year, probably the 1st weekend in April.

My dilemma is that when the shop mentions this ride to lady customers the spouse, boyfriend or whatever male is with them asks "oh can't men join in?" Ugh! I hate turning people away but I thought it would be nice to have just one ride of all ladies especially this type of ride where I don't want them to get intimidated. I even change my bike from road to fitness for this reason. So extending this to men who want a relaxed pace ride will have to be given some thought.

other opinions are welcome.

[tealtreak]

I lead a couple of B paced rides out of our local bike shop, Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday early evening. At the end of last season I started a Ladies Social ride which I do after the Sunday B ride since that route is a bit shorter than Saturdays. This ride is aimed for women who ride hybrid, comfort or even a beginner road bike. The route is 7-10miles at a very relaxed pace. I received a good response and will begin it at the beginning of the season this year, probably the 1st weekend in April.

My dilemma is that when the shop mentions this ride to lady customers the spouse, boyfriend or whatever male is with them asks "oh can't men join in?" Ugh! I hate turning people away but I thought it would be nice to have just one ride of all ladies especially this type of ride where I don't want them to get intimidated. I even change my bike from road to fitness for this reason. So extending this to men who want a relaxed pace ride will have to be given some thought.

other opinions are welcome.

When the Luna chicks have their RLAG nights there is an unofficial guys ride that has evolved because the significant others show up and it is a woman only clinic...Maybe you could ask the shop to reply "there will be a concurrent mens' ride if someone will lead it!"

[nuliajuk]

One of the local clubs holds a women-only ride, but it's geared strictly for beginners. The assumption is that anyone taking it will graduate to the general club rides after. Which is kind of a shame, because they set a minimum speed limit on those rides and not everyone is strong enough to maintain those speeds.

[Kernyl]

Owlie - absolutely YES! To me, it isn't about the pace of the ride - it's about the camaraderie and supporting other women who WANT to ride. There are days I can go out and do a fast ride with the boys, and other days when I can go out and do a slower-paced ride. Either works for me, as long as I am on my bike .

Here in the metro Boston area, the club I belong to started a weekly women's ride open to ANY women who want to ride (i.e., you don't have to be a member of our club). The ride meets at the SAME place every week, and follows the SAME route every week. This allows us to ensure that the women know where they are going. We also offer several different speed/ability groups from beginner (never ridden in a group/paceline, typically 12-14 mph), 14-16 mph, 16-18 mph, and a fast group over 18. All rides, with the exception of the fast ride, are NO DROP. And if someone DOES get dropped, because all rides follow the same route, they get picked up by the ride behind them (we leave fastest group to slowest group). Each group has a ride leader and a sweep, who are typically club members. The ride runs from beginning of May to the end of August, and we typically have 30-40 women show up. It's pretty awesome.

I share this, because I think it is a good model. We are moving into our 5th or 6th year of this ride, and haven't really changed anything about it. If anyone is interested in starting something like this, I'm happy to discuss. All it takes is a little organization.

So, come ride! Just let me know when.

SheFly

She-Fly,
I live in the Boston area and am looking for friendly group rides. I've ID'd a couple I want to try this spring, what club puts on this ride?

I guess my biggest pet peeve is the overly feminine design of both the bikes and the clothing. I do need a WSD bike, (and I'm above average height) but I put off buying one for years because I hated the color schemes. I finally found one that I like and now I am happy and comfortable riding for hours.
A lot of the apparel I see for women though is so overly girly. I like classic styles and often end up with men's because I just don't like the women's. I do better with shorts although I've noticed a trend lately in designing matching pinkish shorts to go with the pinkish jerseys. Also, many women's jerseys are so short. I would like to lift my arms up over my head (say when putting my bike on my bike rack) without showing off my belly button. I think maybe they are designing the apparel for the men to buy for their (fantasy) woman, not for women to buy. I mean after all, look at the way some of the models are posed (Check out Giordana)

It's like the bike industry thinks that everything I wear or ride has to scream, "I'm a girl!!!!" (yes, girl, not a woman, how often do women dress head to toe in pink? Mostly that's 2-12 year olds) As if it isn't apparent enough.

Ha, ha. Imagine a woman going to work dressed head to toe in a pink suit with a purple blouse, pink shoes and a white and purple briefcase and that's the equivalent of WSD in the bike industry.

[SheFly]

She-Fly,
I live in the Boston area and am looking for friendly group rides. I've ID'd a couple I want to try this spring, what club puts on this ride?

I guess my biggest pet peeve is the overly feminine design of both the bikes and the clothing. I do need a WSD bike, (and I'm above average height) but I put off buying one for years because I hated the color schemes. I finally found one that I like and now I am happy and comfortable riding for hours.
A lot of the apparel I see for women though is so overly girly. I like classic styles and often end up with men's because I just don't like the women's. I do better with shorts although I've noticed a trend lately in designing matching pinkish shorts to go with the pinkish jerseys. Also, many women's jerseys are so short. I would like to lift my arms up over my head (say when putting my bike on my bike rack) without showing off my belly button. I think maybe they are designing the apparel for the men to buy for their (fantasy) woman, not for women to buy. I mean after all, look at the way some of the models are posed (Check out Giordana)

It's like the bike industry thinks that everything I wear or ride has to scream, "I'm a girl!!!!" (yes, girl, not a woman, how often do women dress head to toe in pink? Mostly that's 2-12 year olds) As if it isn't apparent enough.

Ha, ha. Imagine a woman going to work dressed head to toe in a pink suit with a purple blouse, pink shoes and a white and purple briefcase and that's the equivalent of WSD in the bike industry.

Kernyl - this is the NEBC Tuesday Women's ride. You can find more information here: http://nebc.us/rides/tuesday-night-womens-ride/. Sign up for the Google group to get ride announcements, etc. It is really well run, very welcoming, and a good way to get into, and progress your riding through the season.

Also, the short jersey issue isn't just in women's jerseys. I race, and have worn men's shorts/jerseys that do the same thing. It's way I will often race in a skin suit for some disciplines instead .

SheFly

[SheFly]

One of the local clubs holds a women-only ride, but it's geared strictly for beginners. The assumption is that anyone taking it will graduate to the general club rides after. Which is kind of a shame, because they set a minimum speed limit on those rides and not everyone is strong enough to maintain those speeds.

Are there enough women to suggest a second group for those who are no longer beginners, but are not ready to graduate to the general club ride? As mentioned, we offer several different groups on our women's rides, and get people into each different group every week.

SheFly

[Jo-n-NY]

When the Luna chicks have their RLAG nights there is an unofficial guys ride that has evolved because the significant others show up and it is a woman only clinic...Maybe you could ask the shop to reply "there will be a concurrent mens' ride if someone will lead it!"

Thank you tealtreak, my husband has thought of that and we are giving it some thought. I am going to play the ride by ear when it begins and listen to conversation amongst the ladies. This whole idea was mine as in my internet travels I have seen ladies rides like the Luna Chicks, Pedal Chicks etc. and thought it to be a fun idea. I already lead a couple of mixed road bike rides.

[Kernyl]

Thanks for the info SheFly!