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Expanded Opportunities for All Women Cyclists

By Martha Walsh

Women’s racing is one of the fastest growing dimensions of the sport of cycling. Over the last decade, grassroots organizations, teams, and individuals have taken on the challenge of finding ways not only to make bike racing more appealing and accessible to women, but to also nurture and mentor those riders as they grow from beginners to intermediate riders to elite racers at the national level. The Pacific Northwest is a national leader in promoting women’s racing, and women here have many opportunities to develop their skills as they become more involved.

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

The Category 4 women battled nasty weather conditions and stiff competition during the 2009 Mason Lake Road Race.

Foremost among those opportunities are road race series. Typically incorporating about a dozen races throughout the season (March-September), and combining several disciplines (time trial, road race, criterium), series help new racers gain a broad experience. The first series ever held in the Northwest was for beginner (Category 4) riders in Washington. In 2009, this series drew 239 participants. Now there is a similar Cat 4 series in Oregon, plus a separate one in Washington for intermediate (Cat 3) racers. The Cat 4 series help add excitement for new riders with the goal of raising their experience level so they can later upgrade to Cat 3. The Cat 3 series is a marvelous tool for giving participants a mid-level experience before upgrading to the elite ranks of the sport.

In addition to these race series, there are other opportunities for women to practice and develop race skills and learn from experienced riders and coaches; many of them are free and women-specific. The goal is to lower the entry barrier for riders just starting out in bike racing by making it fun, challenging, and hopefully creating a lifetime love of competitive cycling.

This season, the Washington Cat 4 Series welcomes Marker, a company that designs and manufactures technical outerwear, as its title sponsor. The season starts off with time trials and road races, builds to a mid-season stage race at Enumclaw, Wash., and then finishes with criteriums and circuit races. Participants earn not only series points at specific series events, but also get participation points at any USA Cycling road race in Washington. As a result, the series is often won not by the woman with the most first place finishes, but by the most consistent racer throughout the season.

The Völkl Cup is the new name for Washington’s Cat 3 women’s series. Title sponsors, Völkl and POC, have donated a pair of skis or a snowboard plus sunglasses to the series prize list. FSA will provide a new pair of wheels for the series leader at mid-season, after the Tour of Walla Walla. Last year’s winner was decided at the final race, so expect fierce competition for both the mid-season reward and the overall classification prize. Such large-scale opportunity for Cat 3 women racers is made possible by promoters willing to run a separate race for this field, giving participants a chance to compete only against their peers, without worrying about Elite Cat 1-2 riders; leveling the playing field for intermediate racers to build tactical skills as well as fitness. Races in this series are some of the best Washington has to offer, with challenges and opportunities for every type of rider. Additional support for both Washington series comes from Arbonne, Bike Hugger, Cucina Fresca, Luna, POC Sunglasses, Real Rehab, and Starbucks. Voler provides series leader’s jerseys.

In 2010, Veloforma once again sponsors the Norman Babcock Cat 4 Women’s Series in Oregon. The events selected for this series sample some of the best road racing in the state, giving women the incentive to try everything from the earliest time trial to the last stage race of the year. Highlights include Stage-1 of the Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic on the quiet roads and rolling hills east of The Dalles, encouraging new racers to try stage racing. The Mt. Tabor circuit is a favorite course for many riders, with a climb lined with trees, a sweeping descent, and views of the city. The Firecracker Criterium is a great course for the less experienced short circuit rider — flat and wide open with only two real corners. Veloforma is sponsoring the series, giving away a frameset for the winner as well as a pair of Corsa Concepts alloy wheels. Other generous sponsors include Shimano and Luna. Cat 3 women’s racing is also developing in Oregon. Watch for early races in this category at the Cherry Pie, Banana Belt, and Cherry Blossom.

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

In addition to the events in these series, there are more opportunities for women to learn about bike racing through training races, coaching clinics, and some introductory rides for those not yet started in the sport:

Training races will be held every other Tuesday evening at Pacific Raceways (PR) in Kent, Wash., from April 13 through June 22. Riders are divided by skill level and experience, and elite racers from local teams go along with each group to offer riding and racing tips. PR will also host three Cat 4 women’s races on July 6, July 27, and August 10. More information is posted at www.buduracing.com.

At Portland International Raceway (PIR), women’s racing (including a novice women’s category) will be held every Monday night from May through August. Also, watch for the free women’s-only Introduction to Racing Clinic, led by Upper Echelon Fitness, the second week of each month. More details can be found at

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

The sun greets Cat 4 women at the finish of the Mason Lake Road Race.

www.racemondaynight.com.

Free post-race coaching clinics will be offered at select events. Specifically for helping Cat 4 women build their racing skills and understanding, local coaches and expert riders will carefully watch the race and then offer feedback on team tactics, key moves, bike handling, and other elements that affect the final outcome. Clinics in Washington and Oregon start early in the season and cover different road racing disciplines, giving new and returning racers helpful tips and insight. Check the WSBA and OBRA websites for any last-minute schedule changes. [see sidebar]

Seattle’s annual Introduction to Racing rides will be held again in the autumn. On several consecutive Sundays, starting in mid-September, women from many of the local racing teams will host social, women’s-only rides for those interested in learning more about racing and meeting experienced racers. If you are new to competitive cycling, looking to strengthen your riding skills, thinking about racing, or looking to speak with other women about local teams or riding opportunities, this ride’s for you. Bring a friend and come to one ride or all of them! Information will be updated on the WSBA website as September approaches: www.wsbaracing.com/women

RACE SERIES SCHEDULE

February 21 - September 24

Veloforma Norman Babcock Cat 4 Women’s Series (OR)

Series info: obra.org/flyers/2010/cat_4_womens_series.html

Race flyers: app.obra.org/schedule

March 3 - August 14

Marker Cat 4 Women’s Race Series (WA)

Series info: wsbaracing.com/women/cat4

Race flyers: wsbaracing.com/schedule

February 28 - August 29

Völkl Cup Cat 3 Women’s Race Series (WA)

Series info: wsbaracing.com/women/cat3