It appears that, at least at the amateur level, road racing is a male-dominated sport. Most of the local clubs in Richmond, VA are almost exclusively men. We hold a weekly crit from May to September, but the women's races are only once a month. Are men more competitive and more willing to take the risk of crashing or is there something else to it?
Why are there so few women racing?
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
There are plenty of women runners (including long distance/endurance) which is an activity that is arguably more solo in training and certainly in competition (no team).
As a female cyclist, I didn't get into it until I moved to a cycling mecca (nor cal) and got injured from 18 years of soccer. There are plenty of women racers here but I'm aware we are not the norm. I've known many women who shy away due to feeling intimidated from the start by the mechanical aspect of it and all that goes with that (you go into a shop and they automatically assume you don't know the rubber side goes down) and consequent distrust or feeling of being somewhat of a second citizen when starting out. Never bothered me...
As a female cyclist, I didn't get into it until I moved to a cycling mecca (nor cal) and got injured from 18 years of soccer. There are plenty of women racers here but I'm aware we are not the norm. I've known many women who shy away due to feeling intimidated from the start by the mechanical aspect of it and all that goes with that (you go into a shop and they automatically assume you don't know the rubber side goes down) and consequent distrust or feeling of being somewhat of a second citizen when starting out. Never bothered me...
True, women racers are road hazards...
Perhaps they are outlawed in bmcva's neck of the woods so that others don't suffer the same fate as CabDoctor...although I suspect if his handling skills are such that he can't manage a wave without almost crashing something else besides the cycle ladies is the cause for blame!
Perhaps they are outlawed in bmcva's neck of the woods so that others don't suffer the same fate as CabDoctor...although I suspect if his handling skills are such that he can't manage a wave without almost crashing something else besides the cycle ladies is the cause for blame!
It must be a regional thing
I would expect to see more female racers in CA, as there are more racers/riders in that state in general I suspect. Its odd, I lived in the Twin Cities, where you would not expect cycling to be big because of the weather, but it is a huge sport there (lots of Velo Bella girls live there).
I would expect to see more female racers in CA, as there are more racers/riders in that state in general I suspect. Its odd, I lived in the Twin Cities, where you would not expect cycling to be big because of the weather, but it is a huge sport there (lots of Velo Bella girls live there).
Joined
·
24,573 Posts
If you build it, they will come.
.
In Illinois, there are Women's Open races, and there are Women's Cat 4 races. There are Women's Masters races for 40+, 50+, and 60+. All these races are held at every event. We have pretty fair turnouts.
.
In Illinois, there are Women's Open races, and there are Women's Cat 4 races. There are Women's Masters races for 40+, 50+, and 60+. All these races are held at every event. We have pretty fair turnouts.
Joined
·
6,032 Posts
USCF Juniors
A few years back they held the national USCF Junior championship races here in San Diego. I volunteered and helped with the race and noticed that there were a lot more people from back East racing the event. I think most of them came from Pennsylvania.bmcva said:
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
