In the fall, again, just one woman riding with us, a former rugby player, stuck very nicely with our group on 100K+ rides.

We see some women joining the C group, but few stay on for the long term.

I think that the best bet is to attract women who are already active in other sports such as rugby, soccer, rowing or other outdoor sports. They are not afraid to sweat, get dirty and hurt.

The question is, who caters to the women who do get involved? In the Whistler GranFondo, there were about 900 women out of 3,500 participants. (There were more men in the 50-59 AG then women total. ) I helped coach a clinic for the Fondo that had a range of women and abilities, all of them completed the Fondo. Yet, I don’t see an uptick in any of the clubs absorbing these women?

@the Engine

And when the pooch spots a bear, I am guessing you then give chase to it?

I am a Velominata but I’ve never done a race. I’m 53 (5″³4″³, 140 lbs) and have been cycling since I was 12. That’s ummm..41 years. Distance when I was young was 8 miles to school and back. Distance after my 1st marriage breakup, A 500 mile solo tour. Distance during 2nd marriage, 25 mile commutes to work and 25 miles home, 3-4 x a week. after 2nd marriage breakup… another solo tour…1000 miles. 8 days, 2 passes, one full day of rain. If anything happens to my 3rd marriage I’m heading to Europe to cycle from Sweden to Italy. A dream… the cycling, not the marriage ending! But for now… I simply cycle to and from work, uphill both ways, 12% grade on one side, 8% on the other with a little flat relief at the bottom.

I have never known, over those 41 years, any other female cyclist that I could ride with. Cycling groups were all men. I don’t know about now. I haven’t gone looking because I don’t need a group to motivate me to ride anyway.

While I do have a cannondale tucked away, I commute with a mountain bike, pulling a trailer with my medium sized dog in it (40 lb dog) who I take to work. She runs the last 5 km on the last hill. She comes to work with me because I run at noon and she is my scout, my spotter, for bears that roam in the area. I do break The V-rules. But despite the saddlebags, the trailer, the dog,… I continue to strive for a personal best every time I ride.

Love the article!

You did write “my spotter, for bears that roam in the area” just there didn’t you?

I have never known, over those 41 years, any other female cyclist that I could ride with.  Cycling groups were all men.  I don’t know about now.  I haven’t gone looking because  I don’t need a group to motivate me to ride anyway.

While I do have a cannondale tucked away, I commute with a mountain bike, pulling a trailer with my medium sized dog in it (40 lb dog) who I take to work.  She runs the last 5 km on the last hill.  She comes to work with me because I run at noon and she is my scout, my spotter, for bears that roam in the area.  I do break the V-rules.  But despite the saddlebags, the trailer, the dog,… I continue to strive for a personal best every time I ride.

Love the article!

So awesome. SO awesome. With one minor bit of pedantry:

We have one rule in the house: She always gets a bike equal, or better, than the males of the house. m+1, we call it.

Obviously this should be n â‰¥ m where m is the number and value of bikes owned by the highest ranked male in the house. 

We use the same policy in our house; the VMH’s bikes are all nicer than mine. 

All I have to say to women who want to be taken seriously and who want to improve is…Rule #5 and Stop complaining! Just join the store/club rides. Ride with men! It’s ok!  Like any new member of a group – try to fit in. Ok, you don’t have to blow snot rockets …but don’t complain….just work hard, listen, observe, learn.

It’s true, women are not taken very seriously at times. However, the drama some women create makes it more difficult for those of us who want to ride with the “big boys”/”the fast group” (whatever your serious group is jokingly referred to). The politics you described in your article would drive me crazy – I wouldn’t want to ride with that either! There is no time for that and it’s dangerous!  Clearly, they weren’t working hard enough!

True, it is a problem finding  many other like-minded women cyclists.  We’re a bit of a rare ‘bird’. Often, misunderstood by our own gender – “you mean you have more than one bike?,  “you keep the bikes in the living room – what do you do when you have guests?”, ” why do you ride your bicycle so much?” .  Even amongst women who cycle, we often stand alone – “They just don’t get us”.

I’ve given up going out of my way to find other women to ride with! It kinda works out anyway. I found that women who enjoy working hard, enjoy the group antics, who “get it” …eventually meet others (male/female) who do as well.  And isn’t that what makes those group rides even more enjoyable…the camaraderie?

One more thing that really hit home with me in reading your article and through my experience in riding is  – “the quiet modesty of someone who is a damn fine cyclist” – So true!

Thanks for the “rant” Mel.

A

     Totally agree with you. I have no problems with any colors as long as the frame and components are good quality. I fact, I like being feminine when I ride, I don’t have to go back to my young tomboy days. I have learned about myself, as I have wizened with years, that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone and can therefore revel in my femininity as well as throw down some of The V. 

@tessar

   I have seen some gorgeous bikes lately with pink accents and honestly, my favorite color is a deep teal that has a pearlescent look to capture the sun as it flies down the road.  As for the slower rides to help others, those rides sometimes give me the greatest feeling of having done something the assist the greater good. 

Going out for an easy spin with “lesser” riders or knowing when to put your own goals aside to help out a friend (or even a complete stranger) is something we should all do. It takes a lot of self-security to drop out of the group when you could’ve kept going, not minding that the others think they “dropped” you. We’re not professionals, we don’t earn our living doing group-rides nor will it change anything if we go a little slower once in a while to enjoy the company of others. What we lose in training efficiency we gain back in friendships and experiences.

I now live in Sydney and love the rules.  I also hate all the ‘women’s specific’ stuff.  especially one city bike shop that has a separate women’s shop next door.  every time i walk in to get something i’m re-directed to there the girls belong.  I hate it. (but sometimes is the only place open).

I’m a track rider, but can hold my own on the road, just ask the guys on from the sydney cogal.  it was such a good day!

if you ever come down under i’ll totally go for a ride, and bring along a few other totally rad chicks!

A+1 to your mum.

Climbing up a 6% grade in the drops? Check.

Flying solo for 180km in rain and hail? Check.

We have one rule in the house: She always gets a bike equal, or better, than the males of the house. m+1, we call it.

She mostly trains alone against the tough desert winds, but when she joins a peloton, it’s a men’s hammerfest. Last weekend, she rode 477km in one go, crossing the country in 20 hours.

There aren’t many Velominata around here, but the ones you find are twice as bad-ass to make up for it.

Cycling it behind the times when it comes to Pro Women’s. I know you guys look down at triathletes, but at least the women there race exactly the same courses, same distances, and get exactly the same prize-money. In draft-illegal racing, the women start with the men, and yes, “chick” them. Sponsorship-wise, women are well-off there too – they get as much coverage as the mens, the sponsors equip them with the best parts (Caroline Steffen raced Cervelo’s P5 when Garmin-Sharp still had riders on P4s!) and lets face it, a fit, sexy woman in lycra will make a better advertisement than a lanky Italian who cooks a pair of shoes.

The fact that women race only ~60% of the men’s distance in pro cycling is a farce – should the Olympics including a “Women’s Marathon” that’s only 30km long? So why were the women’s TT, road-race and team pursuit shorter than the men’s events?

How fucking cool is that? And what a surname to successfully live up to.

It’s been done… My friend Rachel pointed out an Italian woman who entered the Giro in 1924 and raced the guys…

Alfonsina Strada.

For reference:

Awesome read. This article inspired me to finally register after lurking for a a bit. I have two daughters with V potential. They need a model like Mel. My wife is a lost cause: she will only ride her heavy Dutch town bike in perfect conditions sans perspiration.

My mother used to ride to and from the grocery store with me on the top tube, my sister on the handlebars, my brother on the back, a bag of groceries hanging over the handlebars, and an umbrella in hand.

The guy who makes the symbol packs has a young daughter – 10 years old, I think – who just did her first 130km ride. Awesome, though I have no photos to evaluate Rule Compliance and I did suggest to her dad that he might have the Rule 5 Talk with her given she stopped short of the 160km Imperial Century mark.

(…)

*Goes to bike shed to beat himself with a track pump*

I’m currently working on a post of rules/tips specifically for female cyclists… …how to deal with your period. (just lost half the guys right there)

And the other half are still listening why…?

Actually, I’d love to get the missus riding a bike. When you write it, consider having the Keepers post it here?

Great rant Mel. It seems we live in a parallel universe. Thankfully i have a WAY nicer bike than my hubby and he tolerates my costly and time consuming obsession with cycling.

I’m currently working on a post of rules/tips specifically for female cyclists. Everything from encouraging riding with men to how to deal with your period. (just lost half the guys right there)

By all means, let me know if you’re ever in Winnipeg. I bet we’d have some great stories to share.

p.s.  I’ll let you know when we reorder skinsuits and we can be twinsies!

@The Pressure

Ontario Cogal?? Holy Shit! This is major.  Don’t tease.  Please forward the deets

Pressure, there was a Cogal, I think, right at the start of season out of the Domestique Cafe in Dundas. I found out about it after the fact so didn’t attend. The Domestique – if you haven’t been there – is an awesome start and finish location for a Cogal and is in great riding territory. Hopefully there’s another Ontario Cogal soon!

First Ontario Cogal took place in May, the day Hesjedal won the Giro. It went out to The Shed in Erin for lunch, taking in some of the bigger hills along the way. We might shoot for another cogal in the spring. Apart from starting and finishing at Café Domestique, I’m open to suggestions re. the route.

@farzani I couldn’t agree more. For some reason, a lot of women I encounter on the road are uncomfortable pushing themselves outside their comfort zone. Sure not every ride needs to put you close to death, and the occasionally noodle around town is quite lovely, but if you never try to push yourself you’ll never know how far you can push and how it feels. Men seem to have greater inclination towards feeling okay about not feeling okay. Lots of women unfortunately – myself included – have to or had to teach themselves to get outside their zone and have a couple crap rides in order to see how great a good ride can feel. And  I totally agree that as women, lots of men don’t take us seriously on the road. The guys I ride with are awesome and supportive but there are still old school types out there that think I need help pumping my tires, knowing which gears to be in when climbing a hill or where to sit in a paceline – usually all explained to me by some tool wearing a neon yellow running jacket and riding a triple with clip on aero bars.

Lots to pick up on here. First, I don’t buy women not going into the pain cave as much as men; there’s a bit of a double standard there. I suspect most men thinkthey’ve pushed their limits more than they actually have. As my wife will point out anytime I talk about discomfort: try childbirth. Second, men not taking women seriously on the road is a real issue, and it’s part of a social practice that might explain why some women might feel reluctant to get into cycling or to push their limits. Or feel welcome on ride or in bike shops. And @Sauterelle is bang on, re. selection of women’s bikes and gear, which go out of their way to stress different points of emphasis between men and women’s road cycling.

@Mel

@Winnipeg CycleChick

Amen sister. Viva la Velominata!

I hear ya! I checked out your site – it’s great! I’ll for sure become a regular reader. If ever I come to Winnipeg I’ll look you up and we’ll go for a ride. But only if you wear that AWESOME skinsuit.  Me want!

Urgh, just re-read my comment and it sure sounds creepy. I want my own awesome skinsuit with the rooster on the back – not, I want you wearing that awesome skinsuit. Not that that’s bad…just a bit…yeah, creepy.

I think I speak for all creepy guys on here when I say –

actually, forget it.

@Winnipeg CycleChick

Amen sister. Viva la Velominata!

I hear ya! I checked out your site – it’s great! I’ll for sure become a regular reader. If ever I come to Winnipeg I’ll look you up and we’ll go for a ride. But only if you wear that AWESOME skinsuit.  Me want!

Urgh, just re-read my comment and it sure sounds creepy. I want my own awesome skinsuit with the rooster on the back – not, I want you wearing that awesome skinsuit. Not that that’s bad…just a bit…yeah, creepy.

Ontario Cogal?? Holy Shit! This is major.  Don’t tease.  Please forward the deets

Pressure, there was a Cogal, I think, right at the start of season out of the Domestique Cafe in Dundas. I found out about it after the fact so didn’t attend. The Domestique – if you haven’t been there – is an awesome start and finish location for a Cogal and is in great riding territory. Hopefully there’s another Ontario Cogal soon!

Amen sister. Viva la Velominata!

I hear ya! I checked out your site – it’s great! I’ll for sure become a regular reader. If ever I come to Winnipeg I’ll look you up and we’ll go for a ride. But only if you wear that AWESOME skinsuit.  Me want!

I’ve taken a leadership role in my club as a ride leader and now president.  We still have mostly a male membership but do everything we can to get more women.  I don’t care if they come on our casual ride, down to learn track riding or what they ride and wear.  What I do hope is that we can encourage those who want to race and ride hard and encourage them.

If that means making the peloton more accommodating and making it clear what rides are no-drop and which aren’t, well that works for women and a surprising number of men as well.  Not everyone is a road warrior or wants to be a road warrior.

But, yes, those shops and manufacturers who want to sell pink bikes – *sigh”.  I’m not buying them.  Or pink anything for that matter.

Though I would add that getting all upset about being dropped and not having a nice old chat on a ride is not exclusive to women. It’s a common complaint from guys who think that cycling clubs are all snobby and exclusive because they aren’t like a book group on wheels.

The difference, as your husband showed, is that men are more likely to respond in a competitive way. Of course some women do, like yourself and I’ve met a few others as well, but there will be one of them for every ten men unfortunately.

Is it instinctive maternal/social nature, social conditioning, physical, all of the above… who knows.

Interesting as Blah noted that Abu Dhabi/Dubai is much the same. I wouldn’t say there were a lot of women – numerically they’re probably 10%, but there are some hard-core riders, some main bunch cruisers and social pootlers, much the same as the guys. Maybe something about being in an expat environment changes things ?

I do agree with what you’re saying. Women specific geometry all but comes with pink fairy graphics.

For what it’s worth, here in Singapore I see women out a hell of a lot, and they’re pushing it in groups with guys. Not even slightly an usual sight. Lots riding with the Aussie/Kiwi club, ANZA.

@Buck Rogers

Fuck!  Nice read!  But, in my defense, I bought my wonderful VMH a beauty of a CX bike last year.  A brand new Salsa Chili Con Crosso with a nice Groupo-san b/c she wanted “fat tires” but also wanted to ride on the road but refused “skinny tires”.  She road it twice, and will not ride it again.  Said it does not make her feel safe enough.  The first ride was in a church parking lot and the second on a deserted road.  Well, at least she tried and my son should fit it next year.  She still wants a (and I quote from your excellent article, not my or my VMH‘s words) boob-holding-handlebar-height” fat seated bike.  Oh well, at least it’s a bike!

Thanks Buck! Yes, a little long – didn’t realize until it was actually published on the site. But you fellows like bathroom reading material so I made the article a suitable length. LOL. I’m always surprised when women say they “didn’t feel safe” on their bike and never get on it again. Boob holder type bikes definitely have a place in the collection. I think. Maybe she can go ride to the beer store and make use of the front basket while you’re out for your weekend ride?

I like the way you think!!!

Terrifying!

Mel, come the revolution I’m on your side. It is enlightening about the social side of things that I’m completely oblivious to – the rolling high school social hierarchy that you describe, and the implications of getting the social mix right (or wrong…)

We have great articles submitted by Meg Fisher and also, really nicely contributed to by her Mum, as well as Farzani, and I hope they continue to offer insights into great riders with awesome stories to tell (awesome in the traditional sense, Farzani, inspiring awe) and while we can light up a 20 page argument on rim tape like nobodies business, that type of conversation isn’t always the best introduction to the sport.

Here endeth the lesson.

that would be ‘molding her’ as opposed to ‘molding here’

Just don’t go moulding her.

09/23/2012 – Harvest Moon Cross | Cyclocross | | |

2
395.22
Kris Walker
48743
41:55.2
267
Contender

07/07/2012 – 2012 USA Cycling MTB Cross-Country Nationals | Cross Country | Junior | Master | 50-54

1
474.98
Kris WALKER
48743
1:57:56
665
CONTENDER BICYCLES/The Contende

06/09/2012 – 21st Annual PedalFest | Cross Country | Cat 1 | | 40-54

2
552.50
Kris Walker
48743
2:02:02
751
Contender

04/28/2012 – ‘Tax Day’ Circuit Race | Road Race | | |

4
382.84
Kris WALKER
48743
2:16:29
510
CONTENDER BICYCLES

01/15/2012 – 2012 UCI Masters Cyclocross World Championship | Cyclo-cross | | | 50-54

2
238.02
Kris WALKER
48743
40:21:00
16
CONTENDER BICYCLES

01/05/2012 – 2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals | Cyclo-cross | | | 50-54

1
229.49
Kris WALKER
48743
42:58:00
132
The Contender Club/CONTENDER BICYCLES

11/19/2011 – SICX Series State Championships and Toys for Tots | Cyclo-cross | | |

1
–
Kris Walker
48743
 
 
CONTENDER BICYCLES

First ride for me with a new group of men is always the same.  I’m the FNG and they’re going to figure out what I can do in the first half hour. I just hate it….if they drop me I’m the goat and if I drop them I’m the showoff. Seriously?  Bunch of middle aged men can’t keep their testosterone in check for a couple of hours?   Never mind having to shoot the gear shit…..

First new group ride with only one woman along, and she can be and sometimes is a local pro doing a recovery ride…whole different experience.  Eventually we’ll be cruising along at or above my limits, but we get there in a much friendlier fashion. And, if I spend twenty minutes in the drops with my fat ass pulling the line along, I don’t suddenly get dropped like a bad habit at the first hill.

Never mind that any woman I’ve ever seen with any riding experience at all on any rig at all has her core still, her feet loose, her knees in and looks like a damn cyclist….

As I read your article, I couldn’t stop thinking of a friend of mine who just bought herself a new bike. I gave her input (she did ask) to her FB post about what to buy (“Go to your LBS. If you have a budget, pick a budget bike…”) and what not to buy (“… but stay the hell away from the Wal*Mart special, for the love of God!!!”).

She bought that $88 wal*mart special anyway.

She seems to like it, but she’s no velominata. It’s a beach cruiser, and it suits her… even though I really wished she’d spent a few dollars extra and procured it from an LBS.

Thanks again for the excellent post!

In mountain biking circles, there is a huge rep too… Spoke Magazine’s former editor was a woman, and now we have at least four regular women writers, and a hell of a lot of female content, photos etc. Way more than any other cycling publication anywhere in the world, I’d say. A look through our mag will usually bring comments on the amount of ladies inside!

In NZ, sisters are doin it for themselves!

We have a long way to go to try to change the stereotypes out there and all we can do it keep pedaling forward! My Belgian posse on the top of the Mur van Huy!

@936adl

I’ve often wondered about the Keepers’ VMHs and why we’ve not seen input from them on this site. It would be great to hear their sides of the story!

Well, you guys can be a bit on the…intense side. Not that that’s bad – just intimidating for the average VMH out there. I think anyway. I suspect the regular VMH readers would be fine and used to it, but as I said in my article, not so many women out there interested in reading or writing about the finer points of snot blowing or horking luggies.

Oh, I beg to differ! Two of my female riding mates blow snot rockets with the best of them! Probably better…

Let’s talk. I likely won’t be down at the café tomorrow, but it would be good to set something up. I have two or three students working on the rest of the McMaster Rolling Seminar: Le Vie Vélo, and they’re intent on putting together a couple of session in the winter on women and cycling. Feel free to find me through my contact info under my profile/bio.

I’ve often wondered about the Keepers’ VMHs and why we’ve not seen input from them on this site. It would be great to hear their sides of the story!

Well, you guys can be a bit on the…intense side. Not that that’s bad – just intimidating for the average VMH out there. I think anyway. I suspect the regular VMH readers would be fine and used to it, but as I said in my article, not so many women out there interested in reading or writing about the finer points of snot blowing or horking luggies.

No worries, but get yourself down to Dundas for a ride soon! Someone asked about the next Ontario Cogal during the evening event at Café Domestique; we’ll need to move on that soon. A big part of the goal will be to ensure that it sets a high bar for velominata participation for subsequent cogals to try to meet. We did a Rule 9 ride with @frank on Wednesday morning””four men, two women. We took some of my favourite roads, but couldn’t see more than 100m ahead of us. I tried a track stand at >17%; it didn’t work. Better sunshine yesterday for a ride with @frank, @roger, & @Mikel_Pearce.

Fuck!  Nice read!  But, in my defense, I bought my wonderful VMH a beauty of a CX bike last year.  A brand new Salsa Chili Con Crosso with a nice Groupo-san b/c she wanted “fat tires” but also wanted to ride on the road but refused “skinny tires”.  She road it twice, and will not ride it again.  Said it does not make her feel safe enough.  The first ride was in a church parking lot and the second on a deserted road.  Well, at least she tried and my son should fit it next year.  She still wants a (and I quote from your excellent article, not my or my VMH‘s words) boob-holding-handlebar-height” fat seated bike.  Oh well, at least it’s a bike!

Thanks Buck! Yes, a little long – didn’t realize until it was actually published on the site. But you fellows like bathroom reading material so I made the article a suitable length. LOL. I’m always surprised when women say they “didn’t feel safe” on their bike and never get on it again. Boob holder type bikes definitely have a place in the collection. I think. Maybe she can go ride to the beer store and make use of the front basket while you’re out for your weekend ride?

Due to a chronic injury my VMH can’t ride. But she does understand racing/ riding and I appreciate that. In my defense (as a “dude”), in the past, I have bought and built awesome road bikes for former girlfriends. Ones that last I knew, they still own and ride.

Move to the NW and you’ll find like minded, non pussy, chicks to ride and/or race with.

Rock on!

Awesome rant and thanks for submitting, Mel.  I’d love to get my wife a bike but she isn’t comfortable on the road with the cars.  Lord knows her dad tried!  Maybe once the kids get a bit older I can get her interested in something for light off-piste duties.

Yeah that’s my issue as well. My girlfriend’s dad has been a full-time bike commuter for years and years (perhaps going on 10 years now, maybe more), and of course I cycle a lot, but I cannot convince her of the fun of cycling.

I’m not super bummed, as I sort of like cycling to be “my” thing, but at the same time on a nice evening it would be great to leave to car at home and roll to the bar/theater/wherever together on bikes.

On the road, we ride together and are hoping to find road riding partners locally; it’s tougher living in the boonies, and the more passionate folks seem to prefer mtb, but we’re beating the bushes for local velomipersons of whatever gender to enjoy the road with.  If we were still living in Portland, or were in Seattle, we’d be out on group rides regularly, and there would be female riders ripping our legs off.

(One thing I loved about rockclimbing: lots and lots of beastly strong women on the crags and in the gym.)

She’s normally pretty good when it comes to not being a girly girl but it seems that the bike is one step too far, which is a shame as I would love to get her into it!

She is riding more and more and more. I don’t ever see her truly becoming a Velominata, but I’m thrilled that she rides around town, rides to the market, meets the gals out for ladies night all by bicycle. Plus, she looks darn good doing it!

Don’t mess with the ladies.  Mine rides me into the gutter on a 48c frame.

yes, I did have a (magenta orbea orca – mans frame) and yes I did win some races on it. and I wore a pink ribbon tied into my hair.

However I left that life behind and moved to the real world of cycling: Belgium and there are even less women who REALLY RIDE. With the exception of the pro women and juniors there are far and few between!

However I did find my posse of crazed “older gals” who can/will put in 160km in rain and wind etc. HTFU is my life but dammit I love the feeling of passing some guy on a climb wearing a skirt…..

On the other hand, I hold a contradictory notion in my head that I both expect to lay down the law in a group ride and get my ass handed to me.  Both may likely happen and it is okay.  With practice my hammer to nail ratio improves.

I just think men are more conditioned to think in terms of getting back on the horse after you fall and women are conditioned to worry about the fall.  There are exceptions of course.  It also explains why more men probably get kicked in the head by horses, but I digress.

My wife and her friends are all well on their way to VMH status. From time to time we even sort out mixed rides as well. It’s makes a nice change to leave the testoserone behind…..

Awesome-and timely! @frank was at McMaster University talking about LVV, and the conversation turned to women and cycling. The evening cafe event went really well with a very strong showing of top notch Velominata in the room (including a former two-time Olympian).

Steamy!  When is your lecture Cogal write up going to be posted?  Dying to hear how it all went!

Guilty as charged, tho she knows how awesome it is, due to me constantly banging on about it.