I have never felt so welcomed than when showing up to a ladies event and talking to some of the nicest ladies on the planet!! And the best part is, it's not discipline specific! It doesn't matter if it's the BRAC's women's road clinic, Beti Bike Bash MTB race, VIDA MTB camp, BRAC women's CX camp or (the most recent) the Boulder Valley Velodrome's ladies taste tester, the women are all super nice and extremely helpful! No matter where you go, you're surrounded by gifted, friendly and amazing women! And don't get me started on the endless happy hours, women's bike maintenance clinics, and ladies' nights at numerous bike shops. As I said..we're truly blessed (ok...maybe even a little spoiled). :-)
As a woman, some times, trying something new can be super scary, let alone trying something new in the cycling world. We constantly see national champions, Olympians, and world-renown cyclists all over the place out here, so yes, when it comes to trying a new sport/discipline, some of us are little bit timid. I've found over my years of cycling that riding and training with women is a whole new experience and I find it's the most comfortable atmosphere in which to learn a new skill. Don't get me wrong fellas, I enjoy trying to keep your wheel on a hammerfest training ride or while doing hot laps at the track, but there's something about being surrounded by my lady-friends that just makes it more fun and less....well...testosterone driven. And WAY less intimidating!
I find that the majority of women in the cycling arena naturally support each other and want to help one another learn and grow and this is exactly what I found last year at the Boulder Valley Velodrome. I was so blown away by the community that the BVV had created in it's first year of operation, that I volunteered to help with Monday's women's event. Being totally new to track cycling myself last year, I knew EXACTLY what the women on Monday felt when they walked up the ramp and looked at the track....sheer panic and fear!
After some opening comments and ground rules by the coaches, I spent some time helping a few ladies get acquainted with their track bike and reassured them that having no brakes on a fixed gear bike was completely ok. Then we divided into small groups and slowly worked our way around the apron (flat part of the track....for those who haven't yet experienced the awesomeness of the BVV). After a few laps and some pep-talking, we started making our way onto the track and before I knew it, the 3 ladies on my wheel were all smiling, laughing and pleading not to stop! It was amazing!!! The same 3 women who walked in that night, scared to death and never having ridden a fixie before, were now begging to go back out and ride higher on the track and faster!!!! Who would've thought!?!? If I'm being honest.....me. :-) The safe and comfortable atmosphere that the coaches and other experienced riders created that night made it possible for those 30 women to overcome some major fears and to do something that they never expected! It was just a joy to see everyone leave that evening more confident, proud and smiling ear to ear!
I'm convinced that as long as we continue to work together, open our hearts to those trying something new, check our egos, and embrace this sense of community, that women's cycling will continue to flourish here in CO.
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