trackie clm wrote:
>>But racing is a different story. To be able to really compete takes a higher level of dedication and money than I think most women are willing to put in. << This is probably the closest to reality. Though in Northern California, we have lots of women racing.
Did I miss something? You moved to Tennesee?
I raced bikes very seriously for a few years. Road and track. and I was also lucky enough to train at one of the best facilities in this country-The indoor track at ADT. I was also on a very strong womens team and helped to manage that team.
There are a LOT of reasons why women don't race or when they do, they do not stick with it. Honestly, while I did enjoy racing I am SO FUCKING GLAD that I do not race anymore. I'm about to go on a ride so no time to really delve into it but the main reasons are yes. You WILL crash. As someone who works freelance I can't afford to be out of work due to a reckless junior who's convinced she's going to the olympics. Seen it happen to much, I'd much rather race with the masters men then the W3/4 . I am also an avid snowboarder and I see this with my cycing and snow friends.After having children women are MUCH more resistant to putting themselves at risk. One of my ski buddies stepped back big time after the birth of her son. She never thought she would, she said it was just an instinct. She was now responsible for her child.
the other reason is-at least here in SO Cal--that unless you make it your #1 priority in life you can't even hack it in a W4. A lot of the girls on thr 3/4 circuit are current or former professionals in another sport and 'cross train' by bike racing. We used to have a 60+ women racing here on One Day lic. She was had competed for Team USA in the 88 olympics I believe (yes, in cycling)
You can't just phone it in as far as training, then come race day just go out to complete. It's not a tri where it's you agasint the clock. It's you agasint other people and if you are dropped it's game over. It's hard to justify the cost of racing when you know you'll be dropped 5 minutes into it.
A tri you can just "participate" so if you're someone like me--someone who has a 40+ hour work week, outside social commitments and a desire to do other activities i.e. skiing or hiking it just wont work.
and I speak not only from my experience but that of many ladies who have raced for years and many who've raced for one or two and quit.