When I last rode seriously,in the late 80's, about 20% of my local group were female.
With a general increase in cycling, or so we are led to believe, I am surprised to note that this percentage has declined in my neck of the woods.
I wondered if there are any ladies who have any idea why this seems to be the case, or have I miscalculated?
Female Cyclists
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Mossy
Re:Female Cyclists
I was looking for some serious answers.
More men than women cycle, and I wondered why this was.
The benefits of cycling include toning the body and reducing fat. My wife has recently bought a bike with the intention of losing a few pounds, toning up and generally improving her cardiovascular fitness. At present she only feels safe on our locally extensive cycle paths.
A local group of women cyclists like the one in the Oct/Nov Cycle, in Fife if memory serves, would boost her confidence.
More men than women cycle, and I wondered why this was.
The benefits of cycling include toning the body and reducing fat. My wife has recently bought a bike with the intention of losing a few pounds, toning up and generally improving her cardiovascular fitness. At present she only feels safe on our locally extensive cycle paths.
A local group of women cyclists like the one in the Oct/Nov Cycle, in Fife if memory serves, would boost her confidence.
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Karen Sutton
Re:Female Cyclists
The number of cyclists overall may have increased, but the number of club cyclists has decreased as far as I can see. There aren't as many clubs, and of the existing ones, many are racing clubs. This serves as a deterrent for ladies as they can't keep up unless they have done some serious training. This isn't just a problem for ladies however; beginners of either gender have difficulty finding a suitable group as most club runs are too long for beginners.
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CJ
Re:Female Cyclists
There's evidence that women are more intimidated than men by road traffic, which has of course increased since the 80s.
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TJ
Re:Female Cyclists
I believe Karen has hit the nail on the head.
I have found that my local groups, ( there are 4 within cycling distance ), travel over 50 miles on a Sunday run, which is much too far for most people taking up, or returning to cycling. There seems to be little encouragement for new recruits, which should be addressed.
If the numbers of female cyclists grew to somewhere near the male numbers, just think of the extra lobbying power there would be. The potential is phenomenal.
The more cyclists there are, the more respect we will command as a group.
I have found that my local groups, ( there are 4 within cycling distance ), travel over 50 miles on a Sunday run, which is much too far for most people taking up, or returning to cycling. There seems to be little encouragement for new recruits, which should be addressed.
If the numbers of female cyclists grew to somewhere near the male numbers, just think of the extra lobbying power there would be. The potential is phenomenal.
The more cyclists there are, the more respect we will command as a group.
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bikerdave
Re:Female Cyclists
Earlier this year on a mountain biking holiday in Moab, Utah we noticed about 40% of the local riders were female compared with maybe 5% of mountain bikers here.
The biggest difference between cycling there and here is probably climate so maybe that is a factor.Traffic is lighter too.
My wife says traffic volumes are the worst factor for road riding here and she would cycle more on quieter roads.
dave
The biggest difference between cycling there and here is probably climate so maybe that is a factor.Traffic is lighter too.
My wife says traffic volumes are the worst factor for road riding here and she would cycle more on quieter roads.
dave
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PhilipB
Re:Female Cyclists
I'll go with TJ's comment. It's the same here - our local section's runs are basically whole day jobs of 45-70 miles. O.K. you could ride just to the coffee break or lunch, but how many beginners (or returning cyclists) are likely to try.
If we want more people to cycle we have to have a passion to get them onto bikes. But that means showing some imagination about when and how they may want to cycle.
If we want more people to cycle we have to have a passion to get them onto bikes. But that means showing some imagination about when and how they may want to cycle.
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Helen
Re:Female Cyclists
I've been touring since I was 18 in 1979. Used to get up 6am to meet local DA on Sundays. Used to do 250mpw.
Since Sunday trading, the volume of traffic has grown to crazy proportions. I don't like going out so much round here nowadays.
Still do 300mpw touring, but prefer to do my cycling abroad (and in Scotland).
I also find I just can't keep up with others - I'm 1 or 2 mph too slow, and it's too stressful. Can't go fast, but can do 12 hours a day.
So it's mostly volume of traffic and British drivers' attitudes that put me off now.
Since Sunday trading, the volume of traffic has grown to crazy proportions. I don't like going out so much round here nowadays.
Still do 300mpw touring, but prefer to do my cycling abroad (and in Scotland).
I also find I just can't keep up with others - I'm 1 or 2 mph too slow, and it's too stressful. Can't go fast, but can do 12 hours a day.
So it's mostly volume of traffic and British drivers' attitudes that put me off now.
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TJ
Re:Female Cyclists
This really needs another heading now, but without a natural home for this topic, this heading will have to do.
Do you think the CTC is doing enough to encourage new cyclists, and if not, what is the answer?
I don't just mean recruiting new CTC members, but encouraging more people, especially females ( as they are under represented ), to cycle in the first place.
Do you think the CTC is doing enough to encourage new cyclists, and if not, what is the answer?
I don't just mean recruiting new CTC members, but encouraging more people, especially females ( as they are under represented ), to cycle in the first place.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
Can't go fast, but can do 12 hours a day.
You will be able to do that for another 20 years or so, and be thoroughly healthy with it
Plenty of liquids
You will be able to do that for another 20 years or so, and be thoroughly healthy with it
Plenty of liquids
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Karen Sutton
Re:Female Cyclists
I have been trying to encourage the CTC sections locally to consider doing occasional shorter rides for beginners/returning cyclists.
No one seems prepared to take this on so now I have started offering to do part of the ride (to first cafe stop) then return home with new riders, if this would help them get started. I get calls from prospective club riders who are shocked by the mileage our "B" group does. (About 50+ miles and that's the easier ride).
Next Spring I am going to try putting shorter rides on occasaionally. Obviously I am going to have to do this myself as it won't happen otherwise. I don't really want to give up my full day rides but unless we start doing something like this our groups will not exist in the future. If you have read my article in Cycle (latest issue, the "Out and About" section at the back; you'll see that this is a subject close to my heart at present.
No one seems prepared to take this on so now I have started offering to do part of the ride (to first cafe stop) then return home with new riders, if this would help them get started. I get calls from prospective club riders who are shocked by the mileage our "B" group does. (About 50+ miles and that's the easier ride).
Next Spring I am going to try putting shorter rides on occasaionally. Obviously I am going to have to do this myself as it won't happen otherwise. I don't really want to give up my full day rides but unless we start doing something like this our groups will not exist in the future. If you have read my article in Cycle (latest issue, the "Out and About" section at the back; you'll see that this is a subject close to my heart at present.
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jb
Re:Female Cyclists
I think its hard for a regular touring cyclist or any other cyclist who is reasonably fit, to think down to the level of a raw beginner.
We had a similar experience in a small after work group that started up several years ago. First the mileage was fairly low – about 15 to 20 miles, & lots of people of both sexes wanting to join – but as people got fitter the mileage increased to about 40 to 50 miles and suddenly there where no more new recruits. A short 'B' ride was suggested but nobody wanted to run it for more than a week. So, it was catch 22, & now we are back down to three regulars from a heyday of twelve to fifteen.
Getting my partner to cycle has also been a learning experience I thought that twenty miles would be a good starter but no, twelve miles tops to start with and only in fine weather – nothing like driving rain in a strong wind to put a newcomer off for ever. I have to put more clothes on than I normally would, as I can’t generate enough heat to keep warm going at her preferred pace. But perseverance is paying off and she’s now up to 20 miles and she won’t get off for anything.
Next step to take away the physiological barrier of big hills.
For someone to sacrifice their one-day off to bring newcomers up to a level that they start actually enjoying the climbs and the feeling of being fit, is quite a tall order, and one which your average keen cyclist can’t even understand. Even a beginner, once they have reached cycling fitness, immediately forgets what it was like the first time out.
We had a similar experience in a small after work group that started up several years ago. First the mileage was fairly low – about 15 to 20 miles, & lots of people of both sexes wanting to join – but as people got fitter the mileage increased to about 40 to 50 miles and suddenly there where no more new recruits. A short 'B' ride was suggested but nobody wanted to run it for more than a week. So, it was catch 22, & now we are back down to three regulars from a heyday of twelve to fifteen.
Getting my partner to cycle has also been a learning experience I thought that twenty miles would be a good starter but no, twelve miles tops to start with and only in fine weather – nothing like driving rain in a strong wind to put a newcomer off for ever. I have to put more clothes on than I normally would, as I can’t generate enough heat to keep warm going at her preferred pace. But perseverance is paying off and she’s now up to 20 miles and she won’t get off for anything.
Next step to take away the physiological barrier of big hills.
For someone to sacrifice their one-day off to bring newcomers up to a level that they start actually enjoying the climbs and the feeling of being fit, is quite a tall order, and one which your average keen cyclist can’t even understand. Even a beginner, once they have reached cycling fitness, immediately forgets what it was like the first time out.
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Tim
Re:Female Cyclists
I know what you all mean. Round here, dumfries and galloway, the venerable John Taylor has instituted "Discovery Rides" which are shorter than your average club ride and which take in places of interest, views and places to eat. Haven't been on one myself, I know the area and am able to cycle long distance albeit slow like helen on the "on the Road" page. Great idea. You just need to remove the element of competition from cycling to make it fun again.