Anne Linton
Hi ladies
Thanks for getting this conversation started. As a new Cat 3 ( and
Masters ) racer I had no idea the promoters would eliminate a women's
cat 1,2 field by adding a cat 3 women's field. That really doesn't
make sense in terms of increasing women's participation in bike
racing. Even though I usually get dropped on the first climb by the
1,2's I like doing crits with the 1,2's as they have taught me a lot.
So Jen thanks for the survey I filled it out and will try to reinforce
that with our team Sorella Forte.
On Jan 24, 2010, at 10:30 AM, Jen Akeroyd wrote:
> Cat 3 Ladies -
>
> Please establish your position on this issue with a vote: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XYS6N83
>
> Once the results are in, the data may lead us down one path or
> another...or not;) Just thought more information about this from all
> OBRA women would be good.
>
> Jen
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: jenakeroyd@hotmail.com
> To: aatwill@csicapital.com; sabrinasavage@gmail.com
> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:26:09 -0800
> CC: obra_women@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Women] Women 1/2 fields in OBRA racing
>
> Of the cat 3s who have chimed in thus far, it sounds like they would
> prefer to race with the 1-2s in a 1-2-3 field. So, going back to the
> way it was is one solution. This way we will not cut out the 1/2s.
> Maybe we should have a vote? I will send out a vote.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: AATWILL@CSICAPITAL.com
> To: sabrinasavage@gmail.com; jenakeroyd@hotmail.com
> CC: obra_women@list.obra.org
> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:23:12 -0800
> Subject: RE: [OBRA Women] Women 1/2 fields in OBRA racing
>
> Hi girls,
>
> This is a very interesting topic; one because I’m a racer, and two
> because I’m putting on a new race here in Bend this May, Bend Don’t
> Brake. As a promoter, there is an obvious issue with running an
> extra field when it comes to cost: officials, judges, cars, time on
> the course, volunteers, prizes. And then there is the issue of
> having enough 1/2 racers to warrant another field. As a racer (new
> Cat 3) I would rather race with the 1/2 women and be scored
> separately to obtain upgrade points and learn from the better
> racers. That was what I was planning on doing with the 1/2/3 women
> in my race. Why is there such a large discrepancy between the number
> of 3 racers and the 1/2 racers. Why is there such a drop off? Does
> it have to do with the commitment to racing once you’ve reached the
> 1/2 level?
>
> I would love to have a conversation with racers so that we are
> running the most accommodating fields for women racers.
>
> Amanda Atwill
>
> AA
> From: obra_women-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra_women-bounces@list.obra.org
> ] On Behalf Of Sabrina Savage
> Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:06 AM
> To: Jen Akeroyd
> Cc: obra_women@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Women] Women 1/2 fields in OBRA racing
>
> Jen,
>
> I also agree we need to sit down with the promoters and see what we
> can workout.
>
> However I do not think its nescessary for the 1/2's to have
> completely seperate feild since its always bettter to have a larger
> feild. MOST local races that I've been too in Arizona, and in
> California most of them mix the 1-2-3's for this very reason why
> these other promoters are just havign a cat 3 races since they have
> higher numbers. however when i was a 3 I wanted to race with the
> 1/2 to become better!
>
> Let me know who I need to talk to! Because I moved out here for the
> bike racing (and family) and If I cant race but only with the guys
> thats not cool we should at lest have the option to race with the
> 3's .
>
> I already asked for the Cherry Pie and I have to race with the guys
> whcih is fine but i was looking forward to racing with the ladies
> out here.
>
> Thanks Jen for the info
>
> Sabrina
>
> On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 7:10 AM, Jen Akeroyd
> wrote:
> Karey -
>
> Thank you for starting this discussion. And, Kat, I agree - I don't
> think any of us imagined that the cat 1-2s would be cut out of the
> equation for a separate cat 3 race.
>
> I think we need to sit down with some of the promoters and
> understand where they are coming from and where we could possibly
> help out.
>
> I am helping to coordinate Team Group Health's IVRR. We are running
> separate cats for 1-2, 3s and 4s. How? With a commitment from the
> promoter and MANY volunteers to staff all of the roles except
> officiating. It takes nearly 75 volunteer positions to run this
> event. I have successfully filled these roles last year and am
> nearly done filling them this year (i.e. it is possible). So, my
> point is, we (as a community of women) may need to help fill earlier
> volunteer roles in the day (say, the cat 4 field) to gain volunteers
> for our race in the afternoon. Just an idea....and trying to meet
> the promoters 'half way'.
>
> I am more than happy to meet with the promoters along with some
> other women. Ladies?
>
> Jen
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:40:10 -0800
> > From: karey.miles@gmail.com
>
> > To: obra_women@list.obra.org
> > Subject: [OBRA Women] Women 1/2 fields in OBRA racing
> >
> > Hello all you ladies out there:
> >
> > This is just a feeler email to see how you all feel about the
> movement that promoters seem to be making to provide a Cat 3 only
> field, and not providing a seperate, or scored separate Cat 1/2 field.
> >
> > So far, 3 of the races this season are planned that way, and I've
> heard rumors that this may be what we are going to see much more of
> this season, excluding Oregon Cup races.
> >
> > As much as I think it is an excellent opportunity for the elite
> level women to be able to race and get their butts kicked by the
> men, I am frustrated that we are not given the chance to have our
> own field. I felt that last year, the step toward having the Cat 3's
> scored separately, but raced all as one field worked out pretty
> well. I understand, from a promoters point of view, that it is hard
> to run one more field than they already do, but I guess I'm just not
> seeing the reasoning behind splitting the 1/2/3 field in the first
> place.
> >
> > I'm curious as what spurred this decision in the promoters, as
> well as how people feel about this change. Do you feel that this is
> going to promote women's racing as a whole? In the path of
> developing Cat 3 and 4 riders, will the Cat 1/2 field dissolve? How
> many Cat 1/2 women out there are willing to go race with these men
> on a regular basis, with a very slim chance of winning, gaining
> upgrade points, winning prizes?
> >
> > Any thoughts on this from all of you would be good to hear. I'm
> trying to see it from a different angle, but it is frustrating to
> me, as a mediocre Cat 2, not to be able to race competitively in a
> strong women's field because there is no field available for me to
> race in.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Karey Miles
> > Therapeutic Associates Women's Team
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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