newcastlecycling

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If you wish to work to increase the number of females participating in cycling, would you be prepared to work on a multiclub committee to promote cycling to women and to organise women specific events?

MC, this was six months ago, or more.
(I guess you have been very busy).


We have seen an increase in the teenage female participation rate at the Newcastle Velo, but the situation with older females has not changed.


when your women cycling acquaintances engage in a discussion related to this issue, there are a few observations I have made over the last few weeks.


.Of all the masters women who regularly compete in track events in NSW, only one over 40 does not ride for a Sydney club/ACT/Bathurst.
(and there are less than a handful who are under 40).

. In the NSW Masters Track Championships this week-end, there is only one female competitor who is not listed to compete in a team sprint.
(even if we had an amalgamated club in Newcastle, there is only one other woman I could possibly team up with).

. In the masters women track cycling races, particularly in NSW, I am not quite in the same class as all the others, including Rosemary from Bathurst who is older than me and I have never beaten her in any race.  Assuming that members of the same club do some training together, or have dedicated coaches,  it is like I am pedalling furiously but not making any ground.  From my experiences in other sports (athletics and hockey), I do have some natural speed
and unless the others are all self-selected "could have been in the Olympics" athletes, I should, after 5 years of training and an upgrade from basic for my equipment be good enough to be competitive- not necessarily to beat them, but good enough to worry the eventual winners.

.  In Newcastle, there is only one female (of any age), who doesn't have a family member who races on the track (or road).  Every other female track cyclist has a father/sister/spouse/daughter/mother who races a bike.

No wonder, I frequently feel discouraged.  The only positive support I seem to get is from fellow riders and some non-riders who come along.


Why do I keep on harping on this issue?
Because I don't want to give up racing my bike(s) yet - and I am too old to take an extended break - it would be too hard to get back in.
And because I believe that ALL potential riders should have a fair chance to participate AND IMPROVE.