| Author |
|
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 26 October 2009 at 11:03 | IP Logged
|
|
|
After my race yesterday I had a lovely chat with Brad Ross, who intimated that, if enough women showed serious interest, there might -- MIGHT -- be the possibility of adding a Womens' singlespeed classification at next year's Cross Crusade.
I asked Brad how many women he'd need to hear from.
While he made NO promises, he said twenty would be a good start to the conversation.
How many Beginner women yesterday rode singlespeeds? I know of at least four including myself. We all had a blast and enjoyed a successful day of racing.
Singlespeed is a blast, very freeing and really focuses one on bike-handling and building strength. In my first full season of racing (short-track and cross), I LOVE it, and no matter what happens I will never race on a geared bike again.
Given a choice, I'd rather upgrade to Womens' singlespeed than to my Masters age group next year. Anyone else? Speak up!
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
wickedpissah
Newbie
Joined: 26 October 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: 26 October 2009 at 21:43 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Count me in. 18 more to go.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
pabstslut
Newbie
Joined: 25 October 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: 26 October 2009 at 23:00 | IP Logged
|
|
|
While I am neither a woman nor a single speeder, I informed my girlfriend, who is both, and she requested I throw her hat into the ring. So, I guess I'm saying, make it three.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TwoByTen
Newbie
Joined: 06 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: 27 October 2009 at 12:06 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Count me in as well...
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sschick
Newbie
Joined: 27 October 2009
Location: Scotland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: 27 October 2009 at 13:05 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Count me in. I have been racing on my ss for the last 3 years, and have inquired about this in the past. However, we go through this drill every year to try and get a women's SS category and there is never enough interest and it seems to lose steam. Good luck.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 27 October 2009 at 19:08 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Okay, we're up to seven (me, plus everyone who's responded here, plus two of my co-workers who are also in).
If we can collect thirteen more names (just respond here, and perhaps also PM me -- please -- with your actual name and contact info so we can follow up), we can then arrange for a post-season luncheon with Mister Ross and discuss. Yes?
Tell your friends! Get them to sign up here! It's time we had a Ladies Only Singlespeed Party!
Thanks so much --Beth
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
byron's mom
Newbie
Joined: 27 October 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: 27 October 2009 at 23:08 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Count me in!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teamoksana
Newbie
Joined: 10 November 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: 28 October 2009 at 10:55 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm in as well!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 29 October 2009 at 16:07 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Okay kids, that's nearly HALF of what we need to kick this ball into play.
PM me if you want to race singlespeed with other women! I'm hoping to set up this discussion by February 1.
Thanks --Beth
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Grimm
Newbie
Joined: 13 October 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: 29 October 2009 at 19:00 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Im all for women racing, but I personally liked with SS all you had to do to
qualify was be a big enough fool not to have gears. Fitness level, bike quality
and gender be damned. But the more I think about it, as long as it doesnt
add another chute and make everyone stand around more do it. Maybe one
day ill get my wife out there.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
danidance
Newbie
Joined: 31 October 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: 29 October 2009 at 19:16 | IP Logged
|
|
|
All you ladies should sign up for SSCXWC...we need some more women out
there and we score them separately from the men! So you have your own
single speed race. Get signed up....
Dani
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 30 October 2009 at 01:11 | IP Logged
|
|
|
danidance wrote:
| All you ladies should sign up for SSCXWC... |
|
|
I'll be at SSXCWC to cheer on the contenders, but don't look for me on the race course for that event.
Cross Crusade race entry is $22.
SSXCWC is more than double that at $45, and day-of-race it will be $55.
Too rich for my blood, sorry.
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mksweetsauce
Newbie
Joined: 30 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: 30 October 2009 at 13:56 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am so in. I've been needing a little inspiration to build up my SSXC frame!
Marylynn
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 30 October 2009 at 15:09 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Fantastic!
A request:
EVERYONE who has indicated interest in a Womens' SS class at next year's Cross Crusade at this forum -- PLEASE PM or Email me off-forum with your name, city and contact info. I would like to compile a list of serious inquiries to present to Cross Crusade, LLC when we sit down to chat.
Thanks tons! --Beth
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 19 November 2009 at 01:06 | IP Logged
|
|
|
WE HAVE TWENTY WOMEN! (Thank you, ladies!)
But I am not satisfied.
I want to have a list of at least thirty-five women by February 1st, so I can have something substantial to show Brad Ross when we sit down over coffee in the early spring. So this is where I start prodding people and become [sort of] annoying.
To all current cyclocross fanatics:
If you race 'cross and have wanted an excuse to get your [female] significant other/relative/best buddy to do it, too, here's your chance.
Tell her Singlespeed is more fun. (You KNOW it is.)
Tell her it's easier (um, well, yeah. Whatever.)
Tell her it's less likely to break down in all that mud.
Tell her it will make her a better, stronger, happier and more confident rider (true.)
Tell her that all the guys will think she's cool for riding singlespeed -- EVEN IF THEY DON'T. (This is SO true it hurts).
Tell her that if she signs on to this campaign to help create a womens' singlespeed classification within the womens' Cross Crusade races next year, you will pay her entry fees for the first two Crusades. (And then really do it, because if you don't you will look like a jerk, or worse. Forty-four bucks is cheap compared to the embarrassment of not following through.)
Whatever you have to tell your wife or girlfriend or buddy to get her to go singlespeed, do it.
I want thirty-five women who are mad for singlespeed on my list by February 1st!
PM me if you're a woman who wants to go singlespeed at the 'cross races next year. I will add your name to the list and be in touch with you in the early spring.
Thanks again --
Beth Hamon
Velo Bella
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 20 November 2009 at 12:47 | IP Logged
|
|
|
UPDATE: 36 women as of 10pm Thursday night. THANK YOU LADIES, YOU ROCK.
It is not too late if you want to get on the list. The more names I can show to Cross Crusade organizers the better our chances of having womens' singlespeed added to the womens' mix next year.
Also -- thanks to the handful of women who asked me technical questions about assembling a SS bike. It can be done quite affordably and I am happy to share what I know with any of you who want to go in this direction next year.
Singlespeed Rocks. That is all.
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
k.bott
Newbie
Joined: 22 January 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: 22 January 2010 at 17:00 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Beth -- I'm in! New to cross, but psyched. (I think I talked w/ you @ the start line of the first shorttrack race last year, singing the praises of the ss...)
hooray!
-kristin
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 23 January 2010 at 13:26 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dear everyone: I now have a list of nearly 50 names of women who have indicated that they would sign up for a separate WOMENS' singlespeed category at next year's Cross Crusade.
Since the list is so big, I am thinking bigger. I also plan to contact the organizers of the PIR short-track xc series (June-Aug) to see if they would be interested in adding a womens' singlespeed category to the mix.
It's not clear yet how this category would be added. Originally I'd thought of three options:
1. Make the singlespeed category separate (put the Mens' B's somewhere else) and count women and men in two separate singlespeed classes. This would make for a singlespeed-ONLY race.
1b. Leave the Men B's where they are and invite women singlespeeders to race with men singlespeeders but score them separately.
2. Let women singlespeeders race with the rest of the women but score them separately (using a different number series/plate color/whatever).
3. Add another race slot to facilitate option # 1 more easily (Men's B is a large category).
I was told by several folks that adding another race to an already-full day of racing was probably never going to happen, so that leaves us with either 1b or 2.
In informal discussions, the response has been surprising to me: more women would prefer to race with the rest of the women and be scored separately for riding singlespeeds. More male singlespeeders have said they would welcome women singlespeeders as a sub-category racing with them, especially if it meant moving mens' B's (on geared bikes) somewhere else in the raceday schedule. (Personally, I would favor the latter approach but I am in the minority among female respondents on this one and I don't know why.)
I hope to set up meetings with the respective organizers of these two race series soon, perhaps by March at latest for short-track and May for Cross Crusade. I would welcome your additional (constructive!) comments at my PM box before then. Thanks much!
Remember if you want to help create a separate category for womens' singlespeed racing please PM me with your name and contact info to get your name on the list. The more names we have the more seriously we will be taken and the more likely this could happen. Thanks!
Beth Hamon
Velo Bella
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
k.bott
Newbie
Joined: 22 January 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: 28 January 2010 at 01:56 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'd love to see a ss-specific race (so you're grouped based on bike-type and
not gender) ... but it sounds like that's out of the question. ... I think it'd be
interesting to see what an all-ss field looked like (dudes+ladies) ... maybe if
we're large enough, we'll get our own durn space (separate from men's B's)?
... if ladies are going to be more comfy racing with ladies, that might help
increase the numbers? (I get a pretty strong feeling of startline cameraderie
out of all the women-specific racing I've ever done ?) -- but, really, pretty
equivocal here.
Which I do suppose doesn't help. (oops)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
beth
Groupie
Joined: 20 December 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: 28 January 2010 at 10:58 | IP Logged
|
|
|
This all helps. So far the survey leans heavily towards having the women race together and giving lady SS'rs credit in their own category -- something that Candi has told me would be extremely difficult to add based on how racers are tracked and recorded in very large start fields at Crusade races.
I, too, would prefer a SS-ONLY category and placing mens B's somewhere else -- but I have also been told this is hard to make happen.
I WILL say that I have received a positive response regarding adding a Womens' SS classification at PIR short-track next summer. Perhaps that will, if successful, translate to the addition of a similar classification at Cross Crusade; but one does not necessarily lead to the other and I am not counting on anything for sure.
I would say that if folks want this classification added to both Short-track and cross races, the best thing they can do now is to individually share their desires with organizers for these races. Specifically, if being able to sign up for womens' SS would make you and/or your lady pals more likely to pay to race, please indicate that too. I think communication is key.
Beth
__________________
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
Cross Crusade Forums : Cross Crusade Open Forum
Topic: Womens’ single speed classification?
