womens racing

[jevagirl]

New to road biking, I am really enjoying it and thinking about how I want to progress in the sport- what kind of riding I want to do. That is the context for a number of questions I am hoping you all can answer about women's road racing. If you race, how did you get into it? Do you race against women exclusively? Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'? What are average speeds to expect in entry level womens' races (hilly, flat, distance specific)? Do you make money from racing? How many hours do you train (a week)? Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? Do you work a job as well? How far do you travel to race? What level of racing are you at? How are the levels distinguished? What are your long-term racing goals? Are there other tidbits of information you consider important for female cyclists to gain an understanding of the womens' racing scene?

Thanks

[Grog]

Hi Jevagirl, welcome to TE.

Perhaps you'd like to introduce yourself in the Getting to Know You thread? (Also in the Open Topic section, as a sticky thread near the top.)

I'm not a racer but I can tell you that women don't race against men [ETA: It seems like it depends!], yes they are slower, and no they definitely don't make money from racing. Good luck!

[aicabsolut]

If you race, how did you get into it? Collegiate team (as a grad student)
Do you race against women exclusively? I do, yes, but there are some exceptions where women can enter men's races. Generally, you need to do a men's race that is one category lower or one age grade higher, and, sometimes, the men's race must be your only option (no women's field).
Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'? Yes, for the same category.
What are average speeds to expect in entry level womens' races (hilly, flat, distance specific)? All of my races have been in the 19-21mph average, for category 4, regardless of terrain or type of race. But average speed isn't that important. What is important is your ability to hang on to surges (which are often over 30mph for my fields) and make good tactical decisions.
Do you make money from racing? Sometimes, I might win my entry fees back, but I never make a profit. Even a lot of pros need real jobs.
How many hours do you train (a week)? I dunno, not that many lately. I don't count hours. Sometimes, I count miles, but not this time of year.
Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? Co-ed. In fact, I wind up training mostly with the boys.
Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? No.
Do you work a job as well? Yes, work part time, go to school part time.
How far do you travel to race? The max so far has been about 6hrs of driving.
What level of racing are you at? Cat 4, but I'm working on my 3 upgrade.
How are the levels distinguished? Pro-1-2-3-4. Upgrade rules are on www.usacycling.org.
What are your long-term racing goals? Get faster.
Are there other tidbits of information you consider important for female cyclists to gain an understanding of the womens' racing scene? Join a racing club, preferably one with some other female racers, but it is more important for a newbie to join a club they enjoy riding with and that challenges them instead of going after a big women's squad. Numbers will help you eventually, but sometimes women's teams carry a lot of drama, and everyone is kind of racing for themselves in the lower categories anyway. It depends on what the women's racing scene is like in your area.

[Eden]

If you race, how did you get into it? I've ridden a bike all my life and when my husband started racing he talked me into it.
Do you race against women exclusively? Yep - out here we are very lucky that we have a lot of women racers. Occasionally you see a women race with the men, but those tend to be the elite riders who are looking for a better workout by riding with the boys.
Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'? For the most part yes
What are average speeds to expect in entry level womens' races (hilly, flat, distance specific)? Average speed means little to nothing unless you are doing a time trial. Like aicabsolut said, its much more about being able to handle surges, how you handle your bike and deal with the pack and making tactical decisions.
Do you make money from racing? Don't count on it...at the beginner level, cash prizes are rare, merchandise is more common and when there is money it generally won't do more than pay you back your entry. Bike racing is an expensive sport... Being on a team softens the blow - most teams get discounts from their sponsors, and some do some race entry reimbursement, but its still pricey.
How many hours do you train (a week)? 8-10 for me
Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? My team is women only, but sometimes some of us ride with our "brother" team (we used to be co-ed, but interestingly enough the team became predominantly women so we made the boys form their own team...)
Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? Yes. I did my first year without a formal training plan or a coach. When I did well enough that I thought I needed a little extra edge I decided that it was time to get a coach.
Do you work a job as well? For 99.99% of people racing will always be a hobby.... for the few that are able to go pro 99% of them still hold a day job. Unless you are a superstar (or an heiress...) as a woman racer you won't be able to only race for a living.
How far do you travel to race? I race in the Washington and Oregon area. The farthest I have driven for a race is probably about 7 hours.
What level of racing are you at? Cat 3. I'm in no hurry to upgrade to a 2. For the most part it doesn't get you anything, except the possibility of racing N(ational) R(ace) C(alendar) races and since I don't think I'm ready for that yet, I'm in no rush. I already race with the 1-2's for a most of the races.... at least as a 3 sometimes we are scored separately. When I think I could actually be useful at a 5 day NRC stage race I'll think about being a 2.....
How are the levels distinguished? to add to the last answer - you move up by winning or placing high in races.
What are your long-term racing goals? I'll let you know when I see how I'm doing this season.....
Are there other tidbits of information you consider important for female cyclists to gain an understanding of the womens' racing scene? I pretty much agree with aicabsolut here. Join a team - its much easier when you have experienced riders to show you the ropes and it may help ease the financial burden a bit. Look for weekday "training races" in your area. They are a good way to get some experience and often have veteran riders there to coach new people. Before you ever start racing do some group riding. Get used to riding with other people.

[SheFly]

If you race, how did you get into it? I started out as and MTB racer because my then BF (now DH) did it. Discovered road riding, and then time trialing. Deciding to race ont he road was an evolution.
Do you race against women exclusively? I actually prefer to race against the men. I can race with the 45+ or 55+ masters men, and they are all VERY experienced. I believe you have to be considered a master to race up in age, but you can race in a lower men's category (i.e., if you are a Cat 4 woman, you can race with the Cat 5 men, but I wouldn't - too scary!). Typically, however, you will find that you race in women's fields.
Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'? Typically, yes. That does not, however, mean they are slow.
What are average speeds to expect in entry level womens' races (hilly, flat, distance specific)? Depends on the race and the experience level of the racers. About 5 years ago in New England, women's entry-level racing was SLOW. Not so today - much faster. I have had averages between 21 and 24 mph in a crit/circuit race, slower in hillier road races.
Do you make money from racing? Over a season, no. Maybe some small winnings here and there...
How many hours do you train (a week)? Ten to fifteen hours a week. It's the off season right now, and I am training about 12 hours per week on average.
Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? Our club is co-ed, but has both an entry-level and Elite women's team. I do train with the boys sometimes - makes me a stronger rider.
Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? Yes.
Do you work a job as well? Yes. I have a full-time job in high-tech, often requiring more than 40 hours per week.
How far do you travel to race? Most of my racing is done regionally, so within about 3 hours of home.
What level of racing are you at? Cat 2. i started racing road three seasons ago, and have been able to consistently perform and upgrade.
How are the levels distinguished? Pro-1-2-3-4. Upgrade rules are on www.usacycling.org.
What are your long-term racing goals? I am at a point where I have upgraded to mediocrity in all disciplines (I race road, MTB (expert) and cyclocross). I would like to increase my performance so that I can be competitive at this higher level.
Are there other tidbits of information you consider important for female cyclists to gain an understanding of the womens' racing scene? If you can, take a racing clinic. As aicabsolut and Eden have said - join a local club. If you can, find a mentor - someone local who has been racing and can clue you in to the local scene. Set realistic/manageable goals, or you will be disappointed and potentially burn yourself out - winning is terrific, but not always realistic. Something I haven't quite worked out yet - train to your weaknesses and race to your strenghts. Most of all HAVE A BLAST!

SheFly

[ehirsch83]

If you race, how did you get into it? I got dragged to a local training crit by a past BF who was doing his first race. I was not in race shape at all! but went out and did the women's race anyways. I got dropped in the first lap but had a blast!
Do you race against women exclusively?[COLOR="deepskyblue"]No. If I go to a state points race, then I do race against only women, but if I am at one of the local weekend crit series, then the women race either with the 45+masters or within a category below what they are ranked.
Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'?Yes, but only by a few mph. And the fact that the field is usually a 1/4th the size, it can be harder to keep up with the accelerations and attacks. What are average speeds to expect in entry level womens' races (hilly, flat, distance specific)? Here in Fl I would say that the average is 19-21mph, but that is with slowing for turns,etc. Your accelrations and straight away paces could be 22-25mph.
Do you make money from racing? nope...except for maybe paying back race entries.
How many hours do you train (a week)? Ten to fifteen hours a week.
Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? I am on a co-ed team, but for training I do the local group rides which are 95% men.
Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? nope, I use my BF as my coach(he is a succesful cat 3)
Do you work a job as well? Yes!
How far do you travel to race? Racing in the state of Fl can mean anywhere from a 45 minutes drive for local crits to as far as a 7 hour drive for some of the points series races. On average I would say 3-4 hours, they require hotel stays since the races are 2 days. I did go to Georgia once last year and that was 8 hours.
What level of racing are you at? Cat 3. I have been racing for a year.
How are the levels distinguished? Pro-1-2-3-4. Upgrade rules are on www.usacycling.org.
What are your long-term racing goals? To have fun and to keep improving!
Are there other tidbits of information you consider important for female cyclists to gain an understanding of the womens' racing scene? Have fun! Work on cornering and pack riding skills along with everything everyone else has already said.

[fidlfreek]

Great thread!!! Give me more!!!

[Andrea]

If you want to read some first hand accounts, you can read my blog for some race reports (There are a lot from last season- look back starting in March 2008).

[jevagirl]

Thanks for the responses posted so far. It's pretty cool for me to get feedback from women in at least 3 different "CAT" levels of competition. I really appreciate the point-by-point answers each of you gave.

And I appreciate the "invite" to keep an eye on your blog, Andrea. It is almost as cool as the bar tape on your surly Good luck with becoming a "nationally competitive road cyclist" ... and thanks for the glimpse into the process.

[Wahine]

So here's an entirely different situation...

If you race, how did you get into it? I did my first road race yesterday and it nearly killed me. It was really really hard and I thought I was either going to puke or my quads would seize up. Ultimately, neither happened and I have since forgotten the pain and am foolishly thinking that this is fun and I'll do it again. I should add that I've been racing triathon for about 14 years and decided to road race this year to improve my bike split times
Do you race against women exclusively? I did yesterday but I saw some women racing with the Cat 3 men and staying in the pack.
Do womens' races tend to be slower than mens'? have no idea for sure but I would assume yes.
Do you make money from racing? Not yesterday.
How many hours do you train (a week)? 12 to 20 hours per week but that's for all 3 disciplines of triathlon. I probably ride about 10 to 12 hours per week when I'm at top volume.
Do you ride with clubs that are co-ed or only women? I ride with my buddies. Some of them ex pro racers, some of them still racing... all of them boys for the most part. I do lead some other women's rides but those usually are are strictly base training rides and are not hard training rides for me.
Do you have a personal trainer or are you on a team with a coach? I have worked with a tri coach in the past and now do my own coaching. Both have worked out well for me. But I have to say that having a coach is a great thing if your pocket book can handle it.
Do you work a job as well? Yes!
How far do you travel to race? I will travel about 5 to 6 hours to race max. I will travel farther for Ironman... but that's a whole different deal.
What level of racing are you at? Cat 4, I just started yesterday!!
What are your long-term racing goals? Bike racing is a means to an end. I am a triathlete at heart but my bike splits need to be better... so I'm throwing myself to the wolves. My goal is to have better bike splits (top 25% of my field) in my next Ironman event.

[SheFly]

If you want to read some first hand accounts, you can read my blog for some race reports (There are a lot from last season- look back starting in March 2008).

Good point! Andrea has a great blog. I also blog about my races, and you can see the entire three season's worth there.

And Wahine - congrats on finishing your first race! It sounds to me like you left everythiing out on the road, which is a good sign.

SheFly

[kacie tri-ing]

I agree! I love this thread! DH keeps telling me that I could make it with the Cat 4 women at the races he does, but it seems so very intimidating. Wahine! I am so excited to hear about your race!!

[Andrea]

And I appreciate the "invite" to keep an eye on your blog, Andrea. It is almost as cool as the bar tape on your surly Good luck with becoming a "nationally competitive road cyclist" ... and thanks for the glimpse into the process.

Thanks! Everyone else had the bases covered, so I figure I could just add in some personal experience so you can get an idea of how races are from the inside out.

[limewave]

This is giving me the bug to race.

But with a baby on the way and another little one and a full-time job with a second job . . . . Maybe a few years down the road for me.

I am so impressed by all of you that race. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[Wahine]

You'll get plenty of racing... running around after the kids.