From Racing with K-Man:
K-Man: Since you’re one of the most experienced women around, what do you think we can do to increase the participation of women in the sport?
Norrene: Depends on what level of participation you are looking to increase. If you’re looking to increase the 3-5 levels, then I would say take a look at the Group Health Team in Seattle. Group Health has put together a great working model that shows that you can in fact increase the beginning level by providing workshops, networking, training information and team tactics. Networking through the local touring clubs in the areas you can increase the numbers, as long as it is fun and exciting and a place where woman feel they belong. When people first start they’re excited, they’re learning a fast rate of speed, it’s that newness that keep them coming back for more. If you’re talking about increasing the numbers in the 1 / 2 fields, that requires a different approach.
Once a rider has advanced from a 3 to a 2, that requires a different set of tools to keep that rider engaged. Granted there are 1s and 2s who just race local races because that’s all they want or have time to do, but to go outside Oregon and Washington requires more time commitment and resources. Now you have stepped out of the world of being fun and into the world of structured training, time and finance commitment. Here where being part of team who can help provide some of the resources the ladies need to keep going, But only about half the women you recruited from the 3-5 level would want to go to this level or have the time to go to his level.
Most women between the ages of 20-35 are trying to go to school, establish a career, being a mom or a combination of all three. So the time factor places a big role on whether or not they have the time to be actively involved in cycling. Who knows, maybe some entrepreneurial teenager might offer up childcare services at races, which might allow for more women to compete or maybe someone might start a women’s team that would offer training and the basics to promote beginning women. (Like Sorella Forte) I don’t know the answer to your question about how to increase the participation in women’s racing, I can only give my own opinions.
Well said. Although men 20-35 are also going to school, establishing careers, and being fathers. Hmmm…also people in between the ages of 20-35 don’t typically have $5000 to blow on a bike. We try though, lord do we try. Certainly cycling tends to attract older riders for all of the above reasons, I don’t know if that’s a woman thing or not. I’ve seen a few men carrying the kids around while the moms race. I think once again it’s probably the intimidation factor. As more women race and spread the word, I’m sure we’ll see the fields increase in size, and in that case I think she’s spot on. We need as many clinics and free welcome nights as we can handle to bring out some more competitors.
