What’s up with my knee, heh? Is that a pronating right knee?
First, we can do foolish things and get away with it- sometimes. Like take a “flyer” from the group. In tennis I’d call it a “hail mary”. Hitting the ball to nowhere. Sprinting away from the group for no particular reason.
Second, most women cyclists (professionals and the upper catergories) are HIGHLY EDUCATED. Either they’ve become a cyclists late in life after already having professional careers or they started racing in college- but most have college degrees if not masters or Ph.D’s.
Third, they (and I’ll include myself) do it for the love of it. Not for the money. Even the Cat. 1 and 2’s who were here for the Redlands Classic are NOT PAID. They are racing in the professional categories- but aren’t earning a dime. Amber Neben has her own category and there are a few teams who are paid a “salary” but it is hardly worth their time.
Fourth, they all have a professional career (life) that they must return to after all the big races. And, having a career that involves 40+ hours a week does not allow that much time to train.
Fifth, bike racing is a sport and it is a team sport. Racing as an adult gives us women the opportunity to be aggressive, work together in a group and to share experiences with other women. Not too many sports can offer that for a woman who’s already a grown up!
Finally, they (we) are freakin fast. And we are getting faster with age. Tina Pic (Colavita Racing) is over 40 and is still dominating the professional stage races.
What did I forget?
Cycling for women in any aspect is an amazing experience. Whether you ride with a Burley attached or ride to eat or ride to the wineries or where ever, cycling is freedom.
Here’s my invitation to you to try it!
9 responses so far ↓
1 FoodsThatFit // Apr 21, 2009 at 7:53 am
I never thought anything would compare to my love for running, but I tell you what, when I got into road biking I found a new love!!!
FoodsThatFits last blog post..Bunny Food & P.B. Loco Review
2 Tiffany // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I would enter a mountain bike race but road racing is a whole other ball game. Road racing to me seems as it involves a lot of skill and not just biking skill – I have no idea how to draft someone!
Tiffanys last blog post..Wonderful Weekend
3 Jill Will Run // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:30 pm
My mom has always been into mountain biking, but after her half-marathon in January she’s been branching into spinning classes. That has sparked an interest in her to start road biking. I think it’s fun to watch her excitement as she explores and it’s definitely infectious, I kind of want to ride a bike again now! (Haven’t done it since I was a kid!)
Jill Will Runs last blog post..Monday Motivation
4 teresa // Apr 21, 2009 at 7:44 pm
You are such an inspiration and funny! Thank you!
I think your summary is dead on. I am a member of a development team and our ages range from 31-51 and those women fly! I never would of thought I would be doing this at 38.
5 ttfn300 // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:58 pm
you are fast! i had to chuckle, b/c i looked at that photo before reading and caught your knee too! Makes me want to conquer my fear of boston drivers and get out there…
ttfn300s last blog post..Dine on Us!
6 Fit Mommy // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:29 am
You guys are prolly laughing at my “hail mary” comment, heh? Hubby says they only have hail mary’s in football. Well, this fit mommy can use the term any time she wants!
7 Jen // Apr 22, 2009 at 5:05 am
Thanks for this post! I went to my first spin class in over a year tonight and absolutely loved it. Now that the weather is nice, I can’t wait to get out on my bike. I always figured that I would really get into cycling when I’m a mom and run a household, but never knew exactly why I felt that way. I can see what you’re saying about cyclists, and it gives me something to really look forward to over the years!
Jens last blog post..Post Surgery Eating
8 teresa // Apr 22, 2009 at 12:49 pm
that was why I was laughing, but in a really admirable sort of way – you are out in front and not taking yourself so seriously and it is so clear that you enjoy
yourself so much. This morning I read your yoga piece and food and you offer the full spectrum on real life. I love the terminology you use and if I went off the front I would be thinking more hail mary than flyer! Have a great day!
9 Julie // Apr 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I am enjoying your posts about racing and I’m in a similar boat – managing to train around the schedules of two kids and a husband, racing in our local crits and cat 3/4 races this summer. It’s my first season of racing bikes and your blog is helping me keep a healthy perspective and “just go-for-it” attitude.
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