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@RP
Interesting debate you guys are having. I agree with Estelle that even though there are high profile women achieving great things in cycling the actual turn out at our level is very poor
I often get to road race with the future champions, which is totally cool. However it does show that there are so few girls we all get lumped into one race.
I am seeing young girls coming into the sport but it’s a slow process. If we lose a lot of the races on the calendar in the next few years it could ruin these young girls chances.
My fear is not that women wont race because I think VP and the like have very much set those wheels in motion, but that in the time it will take to bring enough girls on board we will lose the dedication of those who are fighting the losing battle of organising women’s races right now.
Local clubs have a big part to play and they need to actively recruit more women of all ages and levels. I know money and time are an issue. In all honestly I think that it's a lack of community spirit that makes it impossible for some clubs to survive or grow
How many of us can honestly say that we give up our time, for no financial reward in order to see cycling races thrive. I always email the organisers to tell them what I felt about the race, the course and most of all to thank them for their dedication.
I don't have a lot of time to organise races or get involved with running a club but I do spend time recruiting more girls into the sport. The surrey League has allowed girls to race for free at the team series all season as they do every season.
Next season I want to get my own team together and when I’m old and grey I hope I am organising races and watching women racing in much larger numbers.
If we want Women’s races to grow then we are the generation of racing women who can make that happen.
See you all soon