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Also worth pointing out that HTN was an XC race in the North West 😉
As was Wildboar.
JamesP - Member
We had more than 40 women racers at the Black Park Race last Sunday. We even had enough to have a SS womens category!
James, that's because we told them they would be kicked out of the club if they didn't race 🙂
My wife hates mountain biking as shes says there is too much faff to make it worthwhile. You see plenty of ladies in running and triathlon events so I think there is something to that.
From my experience of talking to lots of women riders over the years, a lot are put off actually racing by the thought of mixing it with the blokes. Many have had a go at one event or another and been pushed and shoved and verbally abused by other riders while on course, not a great way to encourage women to stick at it and no amount of prizes will encourage women to come and have a go.
This year the national series, sees all the women racing at the same time, with just the juveniles and the youth riders to contend with, that's been very much welcomed by the ladies that regularly take part in the series.
Admittedly it's only the 'odd' rider who barges past but that's all it takes to put off women, so I guess with the format you have on offer, it's not gonna be that appealing to encourage women to have a go. Also it's difficult to figure out how long you'll be racing for, again most girls, new to the race thing would be terrified of thinking they'd have to race for 2 hours, I know they probably won't be but it's not explained clearly enough on the website or the entry form. Just my thoughts....
Following this topic with interest, Scottish Cycling has just formed a working group aimed at getting more women racing, there is some useful stuff here.
Worth noting too, that of 150 pre-entries for the SXC 20 are female, I'm rubbish at maths but that looks good to me !
If you want to attract more women here is my advice:
- provide decent changing/toilet facilities
- same prizes for women across the board, anything else is insulting
- don't merge Cats, if one woman turns up in Sport its not her fault nobody else did. Snub her at podium time and she won't be back.
- give the women a decent gap at the start, talk to them ! Don't set them off a minute behind the Vets, or with the Juniors whipping their heals
- offer a "reccie the course" slot for women the day before
The website will be getting a major update at the weekend with lots more information
for series 1 there is a staggered start so the "less fit" categories go for less time (probably 1 hour 30 mins worst case). The format is limited due to the lap counting system, the cost of electronic timing was prohibitive. TBH if the ladies feel that they want to race for less time that can be arranged they just need to talk to us.
our plan is to switch to a two race format in series 2
1 hour race for ladies, have a go heroes and 12-17 yo riders
then a
1.5 hour race for weekend warriors and racers
the races to be held separately
but.....
we need the numbers to justify it, the support of sponsors and the willingness of people to marshal etc for longer
starting from scratch is hard but the opportunity is there to get a summer full of racing for all across the NW in the next few years
BTW... we love HTN, in part we were inspired by the "if they can do why can't we" we just want to do it differently. We have our style HTN have theirs and there is plenty of room for both of us. Ideally next year we will have a complimentary calendar of events with mtb racing firmly re-estlablished in the NW 🙂
😯BTW... we love HTN
It doesn't mean we have to start taking showers together and stuff.
Share the love with the Grizedale/Wildboar crowd and all the winter CX/MTB mob too. Just because they are not on here doesn't mean that they are not about.
Have you thought of doing a preview ride BTW? We got loads of people (including ladies) to try the lap out before they signed up. Also, if anybody got killed it gave is a chance to change the track.
- provide decent changing/toilet facilities
sorry its portaloos only but they will be maintained
- same prizes for women across the board, anything else is insulting
- don't merge Cats, if one woman turns up in Sport its not her fault nobody else did. Snub her at podium time and she won't be back.
We are engaging with our sponsors on this, but I am also keen not to have the issue ie lots of women enter. If we have to make a decision we will consult with the riders. There will be a proper podium spot for the ladies. The same issues/ numbers apply if we have a small entry in a blokes category
- give the women a decent gap at the start, talk to them ! Don't set them off a minute behind the Vets, or with the Juniors whipping their heals
the start is easy to sort
- offer a "reccie the course" slot for women the day before
its based at a trail centre mainly on the red route, no issues there
It may be chaos management for event 1 if we have to sort it on the day. Pre-entries (LBS, BC website, XCracer, www.brownbacksracing.co.uk ) make everything easier including prize lists and a bit of email consultation
there IS going to be a preview ride as we will need to do a dress rehearsal
this might include some informal timing
sign up for the email updates (which have already started)
it will also get posted on here
Re Portaloos, you can make one of them "women only" if you have enough loos, but I wouldn't do that unless you have at least 6. I won't go into the reasons for this as I am a delicate laydee... but it is appreciated.
I know a lot of what is suggested in this area could be seen as affirmative action or even positive discrimination but sometimes you just have to suck that up for the greater good.
Although I have had some good advice from somebody who knows on setting rules re equal prize funds, organisers just stop putting on women's races if you get too heavy handed !
Funny story from last years Womens/Vets series road race in Scotland. Claire won the ladies/mens 50+ race outright, and was handed the insulting women's prize of £10, and the bloke she beat who came in second got the men's prize of £50 or so. So at least we aren't as bad as the roadies !!
as my wife may have to use them there is likely to a womens only toilet
If enough women enter they can influence the format
we are prepared to give them somewhere to race, work with them on the format and get them proper prizes, the question is whether they will turn up in enough numbers to make this happen
we want the ladies to talk to each other and mobilise themselves and turn up and race. We will try and do the rest.
website updated so you should be able to get a good idea of the format etc
www.brownbacksracing.co.uk
well it seems they do, excellent performance from the leading womens rider as well.
Ladies if you have any feedback please email info@brownbacks racing.co.uk
Anymore for anymore?
pre-enter and help us get the ladies a decent series prize
www.brownbacksracing.co.uk