silly question about road racing

[Jess]

So, feeling inspired by yesterday, I fancy having a bit of a go at road racing - maybe next year if I ever get strong/fast enough. (more Saturday training rides for me!)

My question is - being a girl, do I enter women's races (and where are they? Can't imagine there are that many...) or do I race against the boys?

Does anyone know?

Not sure it makes much difference to be honest - having been to an all girls school I reckon it is safer in with the boys!

[MikeG]

I'm not aware of any Jess until you get to elite level. I guess the numbers may be a bit small to make up a field at a regional level. The TLIs are probably the best target for next year as far as I know, but Phil will hopefully be along later to tell us if I'm wrong!

It would be worth checking with Annabel if she is at the TT on Thursday as she may know what the women from the University get up to with regard to racing. I don't know if you've met Carol who has been out on a few Saturdays as well? She is also going to be doing some racing next year so it would be good to have a chat and maybe plan some training/racing together. Finally it could be worth a call to Chevin Cycles as their team has some very good female riders and they must know the score with regard to all the local racing available to you - I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

[Simon Donoghue]

Not sure if there are specific races for women other than junior and elite level. There are a few women who have been racing at the Tockwith events and and the TLIs at Croft. The TLI at Croft is quite good because you can find a group to ride with at your own level and then progress as you gain confidence. This is my first season racing and have managed to find races where I have been able to keep up alongside a few that have reminded me I have a long way to go. There is also quite a big turnout of women in the track leagues - where technique and spinning seems to count more than pure strength - which seems to level it out a bit. I have been racing at Manchester and Scunthorpe - which has helped me to get a feel for being in a bunch before going onto a road race - and its great fun.

[PhilBixby]

Hi Jess

First off:- not a silly question at all!

As previous comments, probably three potential routes in. First is BC closed circuit races such as Tockwith where there are 4th cat races (4th cat is the "entry level" - however it's a level at which a few of us are in permanent residence!). Second is BC 3rd/4th/W/J road races, and the third route is TLI road or circuit races (which are handicapped - you go off in a small-ish group based on ability). Personally I reckon the TLI events are probably the easiest way in, as you're riding vaguely cooperatively with a bunch who are similar ability, and it's most similar to the training rides/chaingang. If you find you're the fastest one there, you shift to the next group next time out, or start embarrassing the rest of us by hammering us in BC races!

As per previous posts racing - especially your first go at it - is much more fun if you're well-prepared. It would be great to, as a club, think a bit more about winter training and how we make sure everyone who wants to race is as well prepared as they can be come next March. Pub, sometime in October!

[Simon Donoghue]

Phil - would be good to meet up and think about plans for next year and share experiences from this year - pass on learning etc. How about meeting up on a Thursday night after the SPOCO's have finished - whilst there is still enough light to allow people to ride out - have a pint and chat and ride back. Pubs at Flaxton, Sheriff, Terrington, Sutton, Stillington - or centre of York?

[PhilBixby]

Sounds good if someone's happy to arrange it - I'm all organised out. Not available personally before Thurs 19th Aug tho.

[a.sill]

Hi Jess,

Unfortunately, I seem to be the only female cyclist at York Uni who races! I've tried one TLI up near where I live in Northumberland. Willie Thompson, the organiser (who I'm sure some of you will know!) set my sister and myself off 10 mins before the handicap group. We 2-up TTed it and managed 2 laps of a 5 lap course before being caught, and fairly swiftly dropped. In retrospect we shouldn't have TTed it as we didn't have much left in the bank to stick with the group when we'd been caught! I guess it depends on the TLI, but the ones near me are mainly made up of very strong guys.

I think the major problem is the lack of women interested in racing. A crit series near Durham (http://www.bcne.co.uk/north-east-criterium-league/) has seperate womens races in each of the 10 rounds this year, but looking at results, it seems no women have done them. I would like to try a few, but no point if I'm the only one that turns up! I've emailed the organiser to ask what the level of interest from women has been, but he's out of the office 'til 9th August.

A third avenue I've been exploring is cyclocross racing. There's a Yorksire and a North East league. Have you considered cyclocross?

[PhilBixby]

The local TLI series (or the remnants of it that ran this year) and the East Yorkshire races have quite a wide variety of abilities, and on the basis of the training rides I've seen Jess out on she'd be fine in the first group of these, given a winter's run-up at them. Many of those out on the training rides - me, Tim, Tom, Broomwagon - go off in the second group (and we've been among the quickest in the second group) so you're getting a good head start on us lot. Working in a sizeable first group is much less tiring than doing a 2-up TT, too!

[Jess]

.
oo - lots of replies & avenues to try, thanks all

Bit new to all this as only really been cycling for about a year (and actually only had a road bike since April!) - but I'm loving it & my wee competitive streak means I want to get out & do some events. Just it all seems a bit of a minefield - some research to do methinks!

Mike - I've not met Carol yet, been so busy lately not been on as many sat training rides as I'd like - will sort that out in August when things calm down a bit Triathlon/Showjumping wise. so I will look out for her then.

Simon/Phil - cheers for all the info - looks like TLI might be the right way to go then next year? I'd definitely be interested in a decent winter training plan to get me there, so i there's a meeting happening I'll be there (especially if it's in a pub)

Annabel - didn't realise you were into racing as well as the TTs - think we should join forces! I have no idea about cyclocross so will have to do some research on that as well. Seems like there are very few women about who want to race. Shame. Wonder if we could get a Clifton team together to create a bit of demand for some events?

The other thing I've been wondering about is having a go at a velodrome or something - might be one for the winter season?

Thanks again for all the info guys.

[Broom Wagon]

Jess, womens cycle racing is unfortunately very limited, it's not like running which has a very large female constituent. Your only real option locally, is TLI racing. The Boroughbridge series (cancelled this year) had some very good female riders - anyone that's ridden with Iona would tell you that. Hopefully it will be on again next year - you'd ride with the women and juniors; away first (don't think that's an easy group because its not). It would be a good option because a fair few of us would do the series and there are no climbs.

Though I've raced this year, I've not really been quite good enough, so I'm already thinking about next year. On the face of it, for me to improve, primarily I need to get weight off (climbing is my real weak point), also get more miles in over winter and not have the usual 3 or 4 month break from cycling I usually do.

For you Jess, given your first dabble on the training rides you've got some natural ability, so it's just a case of regular intense rides. Hopefully Phil's up for being our leader again and the regulars can do some consistant training rides over winter, with the odd longer ride (sportives, reliabilities?).

[a.sill]

I wish I'd waited until tonight to post my reply! Just got back from tonight's ride with my sister, via the Tuesday TLI. We only went to watch, but Willie Thompson set us off on the 2nd lap, and we hung on just fine! It was great fun, and we'll be doing a few more this season. He's very keen on women taking part, I just wish that there were more women interested.

[cath]

Hi Jess - back online, albeit temporarily on a borrowed laptop....

There are some womens races around I think, just not in our region, you need to look at the SE & London. There used to be a womens series for riders below elite level (I did a couple) but don't know if it's still running, might be worth asking BC?

TLI's are good fun and a great way to start, you go off with group 1 and if you get dropped there's always riders behind you. Also, you don't need the expense of getting a BC racing licence when you're not sure there's going to be enough events you would want to do.

There has been in prev years some womens road racing training days in London at Hillingdon track, usually around Feb and March time. If i can find out about them towards the end of the year I'll post something as would quite fancy it - though its not exactly local!

Cath

[MikeG]

Cath,
I've got a friend in Dulwich Paragon who races at Hillingdon all the time. If you want me to find out about anything down there just drop me a line and I'll ask.
Cheers,
Mike