Barrier to Entry
So, thinking about it, I am very lucky to have followed in my husband's footsteps with road cycling.
One would say that I wouldn't really have done it if my husband hadn't started first and that would be true.
However, on buying one's first road bike on average fitness, there is not much you can do but ride by yourself.
On average fitness, your speed is probably around 20km/hr and a group ride probably starts at around at least 25km/hr.
Despite being friends with most of the group now, on my husband's first ride, it appeared either no one realised he had dropped or they knew and they kept riding. No one stopped or tried to help him back on.
(via kwc.org/cycling/photos)
Hence, our advice to anyone doing a group ride is:
- Know the route
- Know how to get home
I really wanted to join the group my husband was riding with because it sounded fun.
So, what I did was use Strava to track my average speed and train on the local group ride routes that my husband taught me until I got up to 25km/hr.
I worked really hard. I rode by myself for weeks, pushing myself harder and harder.
Looking like a noob.
Then:
This picture inspires me to remember how far I've come since then!
Now:
But at least I had the information about what to aim for.
I feel like there is bit of a barrier to entry for group road cycling.
The only accessible regular group ride for beginners I could find in around Sydney is the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club (DHBC) who run a Slowies ride.
La Course by Le Tour de France is on Sunday night.
120 women will race a 90km course through Paris on the last day of the Tour de France ahead of the men's race.
You may not realise:
I didn't realise until I read this interesting article a few days ago in the Washington Post about "The Tour de France, again, has no women cyclists".
It mentions the history of the Boston Marathon as a similarly prestigious endurance event that did not allow women for a long time.
(P.S. Tip - be careful reading the online comments around these stories. A number of sexist, narrow minded people commenting..)
So, with the huge increase and interest in women's cycling at the moment, it'll be interesting to see what will happen over the next few years.
I was thinking about it and it's great that there is access to images and information about women's road cycling starting to appear now.
Despite being obsessive about watching the Tour de France and men's road cycling for years, the lack of available images / information about women's road cycling (similar to most women's sports) probably influenced me a little into assuming it was more of a men's sport only and that women didn't really do it.
Images and stories are so important. It helps inspire you to think about what could be.
"Saturday Slowies is our ride for everyone!
Leaving from outside the Marrick Cafe at 6:30am, this low key bunch ride makes its way through Newtown and Redfern to Centennial Park. All you need to ride Saturday Slowies is a roadworthy bike, a helmet and lights. Too easy ;-)
Once you arrive in the park, go as hard or as easy as you like. Hit the hills or cruise the flats, but be at the Western (Robertson Rd / Horse) gates by 8:00am to return to Marrickville with the bunch for coffee and breakfast at the wonderful Marrick Cafe. Remember that following two or three rides, we ask that you join the club and obtain a 'Silver' license from Cycling Australia. This ensures that our ride leaders have the comfort of knowing that you are insured and helps to build DHBC as a club.
You will never be left behind on Saturday Slowies: someone will always get you back to the starting point of the ride and help you out if you have a flat or a mechanical"
But I still think there is a gap between buying your first road bike and cycling with other road cyclists.
I think women are a bit luckier in this respect. As a result of being a male dominated sport, there is a bit more effort involved in encouraging women to gain skills and get into cycling.
I always wonder though, what about helping men too. It can be intimidating for any beginners.
Perhaps once there is a bit more equality in the world for women, the cycling programs can be about helping everyone!
Women and the Tour de France
(via www.bicycling.com)
120 women will race a 90km course through Paris on the last day of the Tour de France ahead of the men's race.
You may not realise:
While this year’s La Course features just one stage for the women, the 1984 Tour de France Féminin nearly mirrored the men’s race, with the only notable difference being the distances raced. The women raced the same 21 days and every mountain pass. Each day, the women would finish roughly 30 minutes before the men. The mileage was shortened on the front end (flat, parade pace sections) to comply with UCI rules regarding women’s racing distances.
(via velonews)
I didn't realise until I read this interesting article a few days ago in the Washington Post about "The Tour de France, again, has no women cyclists".
It mentions the history of the Boston Marathon as a similarly prestigious endurance event that did not allow women for a long time.
Women were not allowed to enter the Boston race officially until 1972, but Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb couldn't wait: In 1966, she became the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon, but had to hide in the bushes near the start until the race began.
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer, who had registered as "K. V. Switzer", was the first woman to run with a race number. Switzer finished even though officials tried to physically remove her from the race after she was identified as a woman.
(P.S. Tip - be careful reading the online comments around these stories. A number of sexist, narrow minded people commenting..)
So, with the huge increase and interest in women's cycling at the moment, it'll be interesting to see what will happen over the next few years.
I was thinking about it and it's great that there is access to images and information about women's road cycling starting to appear now.
Despite being obsessive about watching the Tour de France and men's road cycling for years, the lack of available images / information about women's road cycling (similar to most women's sports) probably influenced me a little into assuming it was more of a men's sport only and that women didn't really do it.
Images and stories are so important. It helps inspire you to think about what could be.
(via www.dailymail.co.uk)
(via www.facebook.com)
