Interested in Women's Masters Racing?

[mfarnham]

As you may know, the Canadian Masters Road Championships will be held in Victoria in June 2018 and June 2019. http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/sport/road/ ... mpionships

For those women in the club who have thought about racing, but lack experience, it may be tempting to think, "There's no way I could do that." While it might be a long shot to *win* Nationals without any previous racing experience, it's actually well within reach of many women in the club to race it. You'd want to start training soon in order to have the best experience on race day, and you'd probably want to race some VCLs in the Spring to get a sense of racing in a pack. But keep in mind that Andrew Neale came in 5th in Nationals last summer in Vancouver and it was the very first race he ever rode. *And* you'd have home field advantage, including lots of Tripleshot volunteers on the course cheering you on.

Not only is it possible, it could be a great experience to prepare for it--especially if several other women in the club were interested in training together. The course is right out in Metchosin and beautiful to ride in the Spring. There are lots of people with race experience in the club who could provide advice. And if enough women are interested, there may be ways the club could provide assistance.

I've heard a number of women say, "I'd be tempted if I knew some others were doing it." With a critical mass this could be a terrific experience. So if you're race-curious post here, PM or chat with me if you'd rather express that interest quietly, or just chat with other women in the club and see how they feel. And let your friendly exec members know what we can do to help. It would be great to see some Tripleshot women on the course in June.

Cheers!
Martin

[Jill]

Well, I certainly fit the bill of inexperienced racers and am of a certain age to fit into the masters category
I would love to train with other women in the club and would really appreciate input from anyone experienced in racing that would like to provide tips or a training plan.
Any other gals up up for this?
Jill

[amyeee]

I'm definitely interested - although I'm really hoping there will be a big group of us. (Ideally, some in my age category, and around my speed!) I'd encourage anyone even slightly interested in racing to give it a try.

If there's enough interested, we could possibly do some race training together and arrange some coached sessions.

Amy

[L2R]

Count me in when I get back in March. In the meantime I will do what I can here in Mexico. Hill repeats tomorrow And zero experience racing bikes.
Shelagh

[Louise Wallace]

Okay... I'll give it a go

[Ann]

Yes

[Paula]

I would be interested, although I might not be old enough (Ha! Ha!)

Does anyone know what the age categories will be?

[Paula]

In communicating with Martin about this.. it sounds like the best plan to move something forward is for those women who are interested to get together and discuss what we'd like to do, and what kind of support we might be looking/hoping for (eg. training plan, coaching, new bike, special skins suits (OMG) etc.).

I know that committing to too rigorous a training schedule will likely not fit with most and their lives (and quite frankly my body would not approve) and understanding that everyone situation is different and there is likely a lot of variance about what each woman wants out of it and the focus is likely different etc. we can discuss all that stuff. Whatever we decide, we can put it to the TS Board.

Would those women who are interested be able to meet for a ride and then coffee to discuss on Sunday morning this week (so far the day that doesn't have rain in the forecast)? I know Jill is going away and Shelagh is away, so if they can email me know what they are thinking, that would be great. Or if this doesn't work for most, let me know.


Let me know what you think. Paulashaw@shaw.ca

Paula

[Ann]

Thanks for organizing, Paula! I have email addresses for all of the people who have replied so far, so I'll start an email conversation with all of us.

[myboys]

I’m in! I’m in! I don’t want to be left out of training with these cool kids!

[mfarnham]

Talked to Jon Watkin yesterday. They need 5 racers in a category to have a podium ceremony. And they need something like 20 to have a separate peloton start. Apparently they follow UCI rules on this.

While it may be tempting to set up separate email lists for coordinating, recall that there's some value to continuing the conversation on the forum here (at least to some extent) in order to remind maybes and lurkers that stuff is happening.

Martin

[Ann]

While it may be tempting to set up separate email lists for coordinating, recall that there's some value to continuing the conversation on the forum here (at least to some extent) in order to remind maybes and lurkers that stuff is happening.

Sounds good, Martin. I'd just rather not post the details of meeting times and spots here (especially if it's at someone's home), so when we have something to report, maybe we can post here that there is something happening and to PM me or Paula for details. Does that work?

[mfarnham]

Sounds good.

Martin

[L2R]

Do we know what the age categories are?

[PDavis]

I'm just getting caught up on my forum reading and am keen to give this a try too. I think the training would be super fun.....just a little unsure about the racing part!
Penny

[Lister Farrar]

This great to see!

Not sure if this news reached those thinking about this, but the youth program has access to gym time at Maria Montessori, and have had permission to extend it evenings to adult members.

If this group is interested in trainer and or core/strength/stability workouts, Maria Montessori (near UVic) gym is available. Not sure if our youth coaches are still available, but they were when we first floated the idea. I'd have to check all this is still the case with the school, and i'd have to survey our coaches to see if they're available.

There's parking near the doors, change room and showers, a storage container for trainers (and some loaners we leave there).

Maria Montessori school is a hugely important partner to the youth program, so I'd need to be sure we would treat them well, but i'm also sure our members would find that natural. Post or pm if you'd like to know more.

[AJ Neale]

This is terrific! I am impressed with the enthusiasm and I would like to encourage all of you to go for it! Martin is right, there are plenty of TS folks that would be willing to offer helpful advice and there will be lots of support, just ask ........ it's the most wonderful thing.

I would argue that training doesn't have to be complicated, and perhaps the best preparation would be simply riding the course ....... I'll see you out there. There simply won't be an experience like this happening in our backyard very often, so get those UCI licences and have fun! You CAN do it ....... and inspire your kids ........ and tell your grandchildren some day!

Some further inspiration:

"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do"
- Eleanor Roosevelt

"My philosophy is to say yes and see where it leads me"
- Harvey Fierstein

"What's the good of living if you don't try a few things?"
- Charles Schulz

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy"
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Pfffft ...... if Andrew can do it ......."
- Louise Wallace

Andrew

[wonger]

Post of the year!

This is terrific! I am impressed with the enthusiasm and I would like to encourage all of you to go for it! Martin is right, there are plenty of TS folks that would be willing to offer helpful advice and there will be lots of support, just ask ........ it's the most wonderful thing.

I would argue that training doesn't have to be complicated, and perhaps the best preparation would be simply riding the course ....... I'll see you out there. There simply won't be an experience like this happening in our backyard very often, so get those UCI licences and have fun! You CAN do it ....... and inspire your kids ........ and tell your grandchildren some day!

Some further inspiration:

"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do"
- Eleanor Roosevelt

"My philosophy is to say yes and see where it leads me"
- Harvey Fierstein

"What's the good of living if you don't try a few things?"
- Charles Schulz

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy"
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Pfffft ...... if Andrew can do it ......."
- Louise Wallace

Andrew

[EricS]

oooh...neat thread!

Just seeing this now, I'll pass this on to Heather, but she is definitely doing the TT and the Crit, maybe the Road Race too depending on how things go training wise.

Are we going to start a Men's Master's Nationals thread too? I'm in! Who else? We need to show up and race! I have no experience, but I'm in for sure!

Oh, sorry, back to the women:

Has anyone from the club pressed Jon Watkin for more categories for Nationals? It is just not cool that Women get two age categories while men get four.

Eric

[mfarnham]

I've talked to Jon. Apparently age categories are driven by numbers according to some UCI rule. I think I noted it in the thread above. I believe this means that if more women turn out, there will be more age groups. Yet another reason to recruit women riders. I did try to find the results from Vancouver to get a sense of how many age groups they had there, but I can't find the women's results online.

Eric, if you start the thread, I'll add my name to it.

Martin