How Can YOU Support Women's Cycling?

For the past 8 years, Velo Girls has promoted (bike racing lingo for putting on a race) the Menlo Park Grand Prix.  This is an awesome criterium on a very unique course and we pull out all the stops to make this a fun, family-oriented day of bike racing.  In addition to our competitive events, we have a super-fun expo, a FREE children's race, other fun kid's events, and even gourmet food trucks.  This year's race is July 28th and we're busy planning all the details of this year's event.

As one of the only all-women's cycling clubs in the United States to promote a bike race, we've made it our mission to use this race to promote women's bike racing.  With eleven races during the course of the day, we have FIVE women's races (while most other races only have one or two).  This year's edition of the Menlo Park Grand Prix is host to the Elite Women's State Championship, the Master Women's State Championship (with two races), and separate races for CAT 3 and CAT 4 women.  This is a HUGE investment for us since women's fields are smaller than men's fields and there is a pretty significant loss of income for the women's races.  But women's cycling is our mission so we're willing to take that risk and find other sources of income to underwrite this investment.

It takes a lot of resources for us to put on this race and we'd love to get YOU involved this year.  Here's how you can help:

#1 -- Register to Race:  We have 11 competitive events during the day, including Northern California Nevada Cycling Association BikeReg.com Premier Series races for P/1/2 (men), Masters 1/2/3 35+ (men), Masters 1/2/3 45+ (men), and Women 1/2/3.  We're also part of the NCNCA Women's Series with separate fields for the CAT3 and CAT 4 women.   You'll find registration here:  https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1977

#2 -- Become a Sponsor:  We're particularly interested in cash sponsorship, but donations of goods and services are also welcome (either to supplement race production or to be used as prizes).  We're utilizing social media this year to help raise funds and all donations are welcome and appreciated.  Check out our new "Friend of Menlo Park Grand Prix sponsorship level (and get a super-sexy race t-shirt).  http://www.gofundme.com/8thmenloparkgrandprix

#3 -- Volunteer on Race Day:  It takes more than 70 volunteers and staff to put on a race of this caliber.  We've got volunteer positions for course marshalls, registration staff, and even podium girls!  Email Lorri@velogirls.com for details.

Our list of event sponsors is growing daily, but special thanks go to KitOrder.com for stepping up as presenting sponsor this year.  

We'd also like to thank Cycles Fanatic, Davis Junior Race Team, High Note Coffee, Ink Monkey Graphics, Pactimo, Rock Tape, and Savvy Bike.

Velo Girls Named USA Cycling Club of the Year!

I always love to share good news and today I received some of the best. USA Cycling named Velo Girls the 2008 Women's Club of the Year. This honor recognizes us for our contributions to the cycling community as a whole, and especially for our work with women.

I want to thank everyone who has helped us achieve this honor -- our members, coaches, sponsors, friends, and fans. You all play an important role in helping us bring the best darn cycling to the women (and men) of Northern California and beyond.

And on that happy note, I want to wish you all the greatest success in 2009!

the best laid plans

wow! my week has absolutely flown by and here it is February already. with nose to the grindstone, indoor trainings three nights this week, and half a dozen bike fits, I've barely had time to keep up with email, never mind tackle creative writing. so, while I still intend to share thoughts about the Women's Cycling Conference, I've yet to put pen to paper so to speak.

as you think about your weekend, I'll leave you with this little piece by Kathie Reid for Velo News.

the weather seems to be clearing for a day or two, so I'll encourage all of you to get out and ride in the fresh air and sunshine. I'll be racing a duathlon at Folsom Lake tomorrow morning -- my first of the season -- and I'm excited to get the cobwebs out.

between breaks in the raindrops, take a few minutes for yourself today to get outside, even if it's just for a walk around the office.

giving birth to an 18 year old baby

I'm sitting in the Colorado Springs airport after a whirlwind weekend at the Olympic Training Center. For two days, a group of almost 40 passionate and intelligent women coaches, racers, and educators immersed themselves in learning how to become better leaders in the cycling community.

I'll share some thoughts once I've processed everything. I picked up a couple of important take-aways and met some incredible women.



My presentation was a great success and very popular with the participants and I was so proud to be part of this incredible weekend.

My favorite quote from the weekend?

Start small and allow yourself and your programs to grow. Afterall, you don't need to give birth to an 18 year old baby.

Think about it. I bet you'll find somewhere in your life to apply that principle. Oh, and the quote was mine -- one of those spontaneous gems that just bubbles out and fits perfectly.




(photo credit to Kathie Reid from Velo News)

all quiet on the western front

my apologies for the lack of entries this week. January is always crazy-busy, but this year seems moreso than previous years. I've barely had a moment to breathe!

I fly to Colorado Springs today for the USA Cycling "Enhancing Leadership in Women's Cycling" conference. I plan to report on the sessions so stay tuned this weekend.

Kathie Reid from Velo News will be reporting on the weekend as well. She wrote a preview piece here:

Velo News: USOC Hosting Women's Leadership Conference

Now, if I could just figure out how the remote on my macbook controls powerpoint I'll be all set!

Developing a Meaningful Women's Cycling Program

I'm speaking at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs next week as part of USA Cycling's Enhancing Leadership in Women's Cycling conference. The topic I was given is Developing a Meaningful Women's Cycling Program. It took a while for me to wrap my head around how to present this, but here's what I've come up with. Thanks to the lovely ladies of the Team Estrogen forum for their input. Tell me what you think!


Why Programs Specifically for Women? Gender Differences in Cycling

• Why Women Begin Riding
• Desire for Community
• Need for Education
• How Women Approach Competition

Various Business Models

• Women’s Program within an Existing Co-ed Cycling Club
• Women’s Cycling Club
• Programs for Women within an Existing Coaching Organization
• Coaching Organization focused on Women
• Regional Organization
• Women’s Cycling Group within a Multi-Sport Club
• Women’s Event/Program within a Sponsor Organization (ie bike shop, health club, fitness center, corporation, local race association)
• Don’t limit yourself to Existing Models

Developing Women Cyclists

• Why Women Start Riding
• How to Find Them
• How to Recruit Them
• How to Retain Them

Developing Women Racers

• Just What is Development Anyways?
• Competitive Athletes from other Disciplines
• Recreational Riders
• Demographic of “Typical” New Woman Racer

Retaining Women Racers

• Life gets in the Way
• Keeping Women Engaged
• Overcoming Fears
• Providing Opportunities
• Dealing with Failure
• Managing Success

Does One Size Fit All?

• Juniors
• Masters
• Elites
• Recreational Riders
• Multi-Sport Athletes

Ideas for Success

• Making the Sport Accessible to Women
• Community
• Mentorship
• Skills Education
• Health & Fitness Education
• Sustainability
• Leadership & Structure
• Group Dynamics
• A Good Fit with the Community
• Variety of Opportunities
• Measuring Success

Challenges of a Gender-Based Organization

• Geography
• Working with Women
• Reaction of the Other Gender
• Competition
• Other Cycling Organizations
• Other Women’s Organizations
• Overcoming Stereotypes

How to Overcome the Challenges of Being a Woman Leader in a Man’s World

• Know your Mission
• Find a Mentor and Build your Network
• Gain Credibility
• Develop Trust
• Become Part of the Old Boys Network
• Be Patient
• Grow a Tough Skin

Ready, Set, Lead! Where do we go from Here?

22 days

I received an email today from the organizer of the "Enhancing Leadership in Women's Cycling" conference at the Olympic Training Center, mentioning that there's only 22 days until the conference and that I should send my topic, powerpoint, etc asap. Dang! I guess I better write my presentation soon. USA Cycling booked my flights today so there's no turning back!