Cycling: Women are Breaking Away From the Pack
Written by playerpress.com, Sunday December 07 2008
As women’s athletics continue to grow, cycling is still in its infancy. Training and equipment are just becoming available to the female cyclist. Still, like their counterparts in other sports, the women are making headway while the path is being blazed.
Velo Bella is a woman’s cycling team that began in Watson, CA, but is establishing chapters throughout the country. Courtesy of their web site they have established a source of information for female cyclists that was previously unavailable.
Along with blogs, news and results they provide training tips and reviews of equipment, bikes, and books that will aid the female rider. They have published a book entitled “The Female Cyclist” by Gale Bernhardt that offer tips on training and body building that are designed specifically for women.
In the past female cyclists often over trained or built improper muscle mass because they were relying on techniques and methods that were designed for male riders. The leaner, meaner women who are currently entering events benefit from techniques and nutrition tips designed to their specifics.
As Velo Bella’s reputation continues to grow more teams are coming along to challenge their position. Velo Bella welcomes the competition knowing that it adds to the ranks of female riders. They participate in Cross Country, Cyclocross and Downhill events. Some of the events are staged in conjunction with male races and some are strictly for the women.
As their ranks swell sites devoted to outfitting the female rider are starting to enter the scene. Team Estrogen is one of the largest and supplies clothing, gear and equipment for cyclists, triathlon contestants, swimmers and runners. Luna Bikes provides rides made specifically for females.
This season Amy Dombrowski has been the runaway leader in Cross Country. The Velo Bella team member is entering into the series final event holding a 58 point lead over 2nd place rider Georgia Gould of Luna. The final event, the Whitmore’s Landscaping Super Cross Cup offers a total of 120 points to the winner, so an upset is possible. However, Dombrowski’s dominance at this season’s series suggests that she will culminate with a 1st place finish to secure her title.
Unlike her male counterparts, Dombrowski does not have large sponsors with deep pockets. Most of her sponsors are the start up companies that cater to female riders, so training, transportation and housing are her responsibility. However, along with getting herself in shape and to the events, she continues to work toward establishing female biking.
While competing she is also helping to establish bike parks near the locations that house women’s teams. Additionally, she maintains a web site dedicated to spreading the word about women cyclists.
With much smaller purses than those awarded to men, women cyclists are definitely not in the sport for the money. The love and dedication they display shows the determination that will push their sport forward.
Many of the women’s sites ask when they will be allowed to compete in the Tour De France. This would push the sport and its riders into a well deserved spotlight and may lead to bigger paydays. For now, the pioneers continue to tear it up at their events and continue to push for growth and recognition of women cyclists.
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