No boyz allowed!!!

It's been a very slow process, but more and more bike and apparel manufacturers as well as tour companies are recognizing that there's a barrier for women to embrace and become cyclists. They are now doing more than "shrink it and pink it." Bikes, apparel, and saddles are now designed for a women's body proportions, apparel is becoming more feminine (not just pink) and clubs are organizing women's only rides or clinics.

Women's only clinics, tours and camps are a great way to gain skills without crazy testosterone added to the mix. Several years ago I attended a Vision Quest camp out in Santa Rosa, CA. The vibe was amazing. Women want to learn, we are like sponges. Throw men into the mix and you've got everyone just trying to bump up the pace and be KOM. Don't get me wrong, I love riding with both men and women, but there's always a time and a place for each.

Now that I'm learning to ride single track, I want to find an environment that isn't intimidating. Last summer I went to a Dirt Days event. It's a group of women who MTB and want to encourage more women to try out the sport. They encourage women of all levels to come out for a day of trail riding and coaching. They provided tips to improve my bike handling skills and how to read the trails.

Then in early March I went to Ray's MTB Park for a Women's Weekend Clinic. (January 26 blog) and (March 6 blog). The camp and the clinics were a relaxed and non-intimidating way to learn and better my skills.

If you are looking for a women's only event, ride or camp, you'll find a host of  companies and organizations that now cater to women. Just Google "Women's Cycling Tours" or "Women's Cycling events" and a huge list appears. Terry Bicycles also has a great list posted on their site.

In the midwest, two women's cycling organizations have recently popped up. Women Bike Chicago and Wisconsin Women Cycling. And The Chainlink has added a women's resource area to their site.

There's also a bulletin board specifically for women cyclists -- Wheelwomen Switchboard. You can post questions, jobs, rides...anything related to women's cycling. I used it when I was planning a trip out to South Dakota last year and wanted some suggestions on areas to bike.

And of course there's countless blogs and Facebook groups for women cyclists. One I've joined is called For the Love of Her Bike.

Many companies are also launching ambassador programs. Women cyclists encouraging and promoting cycling to other women. Pearl Izumi, Liv, Ella Cycling, and Pactimo are just a sampling of companies with ambassador programs. 

I’m proud to say, I was one of the women selected to be on the 2016 Pearl Izumi Ride Champion team. As a PI Ride Champion we are committed to spread the love of cycling and encourage other women and girls to try a sport they may never considered or were afraid to try. Using a one on one approach, the word is spread through our riding and community. And since women tend to communicate differently than men, social media channels are the key to messaging. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Strava are all ways the Ride Champions will share their experiences and passion for cycling. Keep an eye out for #EndureAndEnjoy and #Ride365.

Finally, check out the League of American Bicyclists 2013 study called Women on the Roll. Here are just some of the findings from this report.

• 82% of American women have a positive view of bicyclists From 2003 to 2012, the number of women and girls who bicycle rose 20%, compared to a .5% decline among men 
• Women are the new majority: 60% of bicycle owners aged 17-28 years old are women. 
• Women accounted for 37% of the bicycle market in 2011, spending $2.3 billion. 
• 45% of local and state bicycle advocacy organization staff are female. 
• 89% of bike shop owners are male, but 33% of shops are run by a husband/wife team. 
• Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, including the boards of national industry and advocacy organizations -- and their membership.

As female cyclists we owe it to the sport to encourage that next generation of girls to embrace  cycling. It doesn't matter if it is for recreation or competition, everyone should experience the freedom, thrill, and empowerment a bicycle provides.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri