hah seem to be a few at events, but more often than not theyre not competing. triathlons definitely seem to be dominated by males. why is this?
where they at?
Careful what you are asking there guy, the Velvet Room is one of those places if you have to ask where it’s at, you won’t be let in.
We did a poll on our website sometime ago that asked about reasons why someone would NOT compete in triathlons. Now, bear in mind that the only people who are likely to even visit our website to begin with (www.bikesportmichigan.com) are probably already interested in cycling/triathlons.
The primary concern was “self concious about my performance”
I wager the majority of those respondents were female.
In general, endurance sports is not a key element in the socialization/maturation of the female self-esteem. It isn’t a significant part of the overall female self image.
For men, athletic prowess is a very significant part of their socialization/maturation/self-actualization process. It is part of the commonly recognized male role.
Not so for females. In general, the motivating factors for females to participate in endurance sports are not to fulfill a “typical” female actualization process- however one defines that.
Gender roles have changed more in the last 6 decades than probably the previous 6 centuries, but they are as firmly entrenched as is our individual genital configuration.
That won’t ever change completely.
Move to Boulder Colorado dude!
I just came home from a bike ride and there where way more chicks on the road than guys.
wait’in for me back at my hotel room
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I’d say in area about a third or perhaps even more are female. Just check out one of those women’s only tri events. Maybe you’ll find a date there.
They were certainly in abundance at St. Anthony’s! Florida and Cali are probably well-represented because of the weather.
But, to follow up on what Tom said, in the last 20 years the growth of women’s sports has been phenomenal, in no small part due to Title IX.
When I was a kid (cringe) women did NOT do sports unless they didn’t care what the guys thought. Thankfully, that has changed. When you have a daughter you’ll really understand. 
-Robert
mine is in chicago this weekend, but thanks for asking.
you can get a good look at her in 2006 at imcda. she’ll be the one leading ag women out of the water. helps when you’re an olympic caliber ld swimmer.
must say that doing tri’s has been the best source of dates for me ever. I meet one or two or three ripped guys per event- at first it bothered me to be one of the lone females, now I’m realizing its a good deal, you only have to buy a bike and train like hell, forget neiman Marcus and manicures. However, I wish all the guys weren’t so much older then me, where are all the twenty somethings?
i’m 25 
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you sound like you should have been a sociology major. want to write my final paper for my sociology of gender class? 20 pages, due thursday.
What do you need a paper on? I scored an A in “Issues of Gender in Sport”.
Ditto’s on the tribabes at St. Anthony’s. I had about 10 of them power by me on the bike from later waves. They all looked the same. 5’ 4", 110 pounds, and gorgeous.
Sadly, except for a moment, I only saw them from behind.
A 57 year old woman went by me on the bike like I was standing still. I met her before the race and couldn’t believe she was 57. She looked like she was 37. Legs like iron with a Janet Evans kind of face. That is really depressing. Would you women please stop that! j/k
-Robert
Sadly?
Yeah, Tom, yesterday I met a woman on her Litespeed road bike, very very lean, muscular body, about 45ish. Chatted with her for awhile – she loves to workout, hike, swim, bike, run. It was obvious that she could be at the top of her age group of any local triathlon here with a little work. When I asked her why she didn’t do any triathlons, she said that she just places too much pressure on herself to do well and consequently can’t enjoy competition. Suggested that she participate in one of the many triathlon clinics in the state and that might put her more at ease.
She’s not the first woman I’ve talked to about self-induced pressure ruining the fun of racing… too bad – while I love training, the competition and the desire to keep getting better at this sport definitely is the juice that keeps me going!
"where are all the twenty somethings? "
Drinking beer, eating pizza and playing computer games? I have been wondering that myself. We have a roadie group with only one member in his early 20’s. Everybody else is older, ranging mostly from mid 30’s to one fast guy (ex Euro pro) in his early 60’s.There seems to be little interest with people in their 20’s in roadie riding in our area. Wondering why? Could it be bike cost?
It seems that a lot of males take their health for granted when in their 20’s unless they had a competitive sport background. I was the same, didn’t really get into recreational fitness until my 30’s. I’m now much more active than I was 25 yrs ago.
Come to Missouri I see some very fit pretty exciting types at every race. We seem to be getting more roadie/girls coming over and more newbies every year.
I have to agree, I feel young when I am out on group rides our out training and see folks. Even our fast group rides arond town are mainly master riders.
Most of the young guys are to busy drinking and sleeping.
I’m 26, so I enjoyed looped courses when I can be on the course at the same time as the females.