If one frequents Northern California cycling road races, it becomes apparent that the female participation numbers are substantially lower than in other sports involving cycling, including triathlon and mountain biking. Why is this?

Road Racing can be more intimidating than triathlon or mountain biking because of the dreaded phrase, “pack riding.” In road racing, drafting is allowed, meaning a group of cyclists following each other's slipstreams can travel much faster than a cyclist alone. Therefore, the racer must stay with the “bunch” in order to be competitive. Get “dropped” and you're in for a hard race, struggling alone while the pack rides away.

I asked a few of my female racing friends about women's road racing and the responses are telling.

Martha Bellisle, 51, an experienced Truckee Cat 3 Master's athlete, says, “Road cycling is a group sport — as opposed to triathlon or running — which require you go out solo and go as hard as you can alone. In road racing, much of how you do depends on your ability to stay with the pack. Get dropped in a road race and you're out in the wind by yourself. If your fitness level doesn't match the pack, you can't compete.”

Katerina Nash, 31, a Truckee-based professional cyclist, adds, “I think it scares women to ride in a peloton, especially the less experienced riders.”

Catherine Hadsell, 45, notes that road racing takes away from family time. “I spend a fortune on babysitters; it seems like a single person's sport.” Catherine also notes fear of crashing as a deterrent in road racing.

Cody Graff, 30, cites intimidation by the speed, close quarters, bumping and aggression, and risk of injury as deterrents to women.

Recently, at the District Master's Championship Criterium in Minden, Nev., Jennie Phillips, 48, won the 45+ women's race. While she probably would have won her category even if there was a large field, there was only one other racer in her age group. And this was the Northern California/Nevada Master's District Championships! Contrast this to the brutally competitive race in the men's 45+ event won by Truckee's Gregg Betonte, which boasted a field of 35 competitors.

So what can be done? I asked the women what they'd suggest for getting more women into road racing.

Jennie Phillips says, “Attend a bike skills clinic and be comfortable in a pack, then find enjoyment in pushing your limits — and strive to stretch those limits. Most importantly, do it to make new friends.”

Cody Graff adds, “Don't be too cool for school. We were all dorky-looking beginners once. So be nice to the girl with her helmet on crooked, wearing plain black shorts and a T-shirt. Smile and wave at every girl you see riding.”

“Going fast is really fun and there's nothing like leaving men in the dust with surprised looks on their faces,” says Juliette Olson, 35.

Kristin Keim, 28, says, “The real key is supporting female junior cycling programs, something I hope to do when I become a sport psychologist.”

— Team rider Paul McKenzie is the author of this week's Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing column. Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing is a Truckee-based cycling team focused on racing and local bike advocacy. For more information, results and upcoming events, visit www.cwcracing.org.