Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Gapers Block Crit series. The races will be held the evenings of Monday, March 25th through Thursday, March 28th. The women's race will start at 6:50pm each night. The Gapers crits are a fantastic series of races for beginners, so if you think that you might want to try your hand at racing this season these are a great way to start.
When you are registering, please note that there are two categories for women to sign up under. If you have never raced before, or you currently hold a Category 4 license, then sign up for Cat 4. You should only register for Category 3 if you currently hold a Cat 3 license.
Activists in the Illinois women’s cycling community have bonded together to create Illinois Women Cyclists. IWC comprises of a social platform presence at meetup.com/Illinois-Women-Cyclists, organized gatherings to provide an all-inclusive space to welcome women to the bicycle scene, and a gateway to competitive cycling in the Midwest. Women from the hilly downstate to the urban Chicagoland to the borders of Wisconsin and Indiana are invited to advocate for a stronger, broader future for women’s cycling.
With nearly 6.5 million women in the state of Illinois, the IWC desires to bridge the existing gender population gaps in cycling. IWC seeks to raise the number of women who ride by reaching out to those who would not otherwise know about the many rich Illinois cycling communities and by supporting those who already bike by providing a central location for information and resources about other events, rides, and races on the Meetup site. Meetup members, teams, and promoters are encouraged to enhance this collaboration by including their own activities and ideas, thus allowing the forum to self-sufficiently drive the momentum.
The Illinois Women’s Racing Consortium focuses its endeavors on promoting women’s racing in Illinois. Contribute to the movement on Facebook.
Illinois Women Cyclists is an independent organization supported in large part by the Illinois Cycling Association. To discover more cycling events in Illinois, visit ICA at illinoiscycling.org.
Come
hear what all the excitement is about and learn the basics of road
racing!!! Led by Cat 1 racer Kristen Meshberg, we'll start inside going
over the ins and outs of road racing and then head outside to try out
some of the most essential racing skills. No experience needed--all are
encouraged to attend!
Date: March 16th Time: 1pm-4pm Location: Gompers Park Field House 4222 West Foster Chicago, IL 60630
This will be a great introduction and practice for the beginner friendly Gapers Block Crits on 3/25-2/28!
There is no cost thanks to the Illinois Cycling Association, however, you must pre-register here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/18356.
PRE-REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 11 and is capped at 25 so that attendees get the most benefit
from the clinic. Be sure to sign up as soon as registration opens!
Bring your bicycle, helmet, bike lock, cycling clothes, & water bottle.
Has the faint jingle of the friendly
neighborhood Paleta Man recently been reminding you more of relentless heckles
than refreshing horchata popsicles? Tubular talk is on the rise, skin suit
sketches are in and with that comes a recent announcement from the Chicago Cyclocross Cup that the women’s category 3
(W3) will be scored separately from the women’s 1/2 (W1/2) this season. Thanks
to the help of CCC Series Director Jason Knauff, we got the details on what
exactly this means and everything else W1/2/3’s should know this season.
What’s the
same:
The race time and format hasn’t
changed. W1/2/3’s will start at 10:45 a.m.
The entire field
will be staged following this procedure.
W1/2/3’s will still be scored as one
field for USAC results.
CCC series points are awarded 30
riders deep.
What’s new:
There will be separate CCC series
rankings for the W1/2 and W3.
The W1/2 and the W3 will have
separate year-end CCC champions.
Staging (for all categories) will be
eight riders wide instead of 10 riders wide.
The W/1/2/3 will have a30-rider limit for
pre-registration. Additional riders will need to register day-of if the 50+, 60+ and/or Single Speed
(SS) fields do not fill to capacity during pre-registration, or place their name on the wait list if the 50+/60+/SS
categories do fill during pre-registration. Field limits are based on last year's
CCC rider attendance.
Yes, there’s a SS
category this year! It shares the W1/2/3, 50+ and 60+ course with a 10:48:30
a.m. start. Women can race that!
As usual, women can
also race the Masters category for their age group, or race up in age 10 years for Cat 1/2's and 20 years for Cat 3/4's
(see page 45-46 of USAC rulebook). Women can also
race non-gender specific categorized races for their category or one category below. (W3
can race M3 or M4, W2 can race M3, etc.)
Show those boys who’s boss!
So, separate rankings?
TheCCC points system for the W1/2/3 field will remain numerically combined,
but the W1/2 and W3 competitors will be ranked separately. For example, if Suzy
Cyclocross is a W3 consistently placing thirdbehind a W1 and a W2,
she’ll still receive 45 CCC points per race for her third place
finishes and be third the podium.
But, she’ll be the top ranked W3 in the CCC W3 overall standings. Staging will
be determined by top overall points between both fields, so if the fifth place
overall W3 has more CCC points than the fourth place overall W1/2, that W3
gets the final spot on
the front row.
There will not be
separate USAC scoring, separate upgrade points, a separate weekly
podium or a separate CCC payout for the W3. Payouts andupgrade points usually go to the top five finishers of the W1/2/3
race, depending on field size. Individual promoters may choose to award
additional cash or prizes. Note
that USAC national rankings are based not just on how you place, but
also on whom you compete against. So W3 will actually earn more USAC points
by being scored together with the W1/2's, which could be advantageous for away
races if more race promoters choose to start using USAC points for staging.
The ladies at Half Acre Cycling are hosting their annual women's road clinic on April 28th. The registration information is here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16132
There are two separate events that you can sign up for, a beginners clinic and an intermediate/advanced one.
Because of low pre-regs the Intermediate/Advanced clinic is in danger of being cancelled. If you're on the fence about attending, some of the snazzy topics that will be covered are:
Myths about tire pressure
Myths about weight loss
How to openly discuss on your team who is going to work for who when it comes to getting upgrade points
How to put lady teammates on the podium
Date/Time: Saturday, April 28th 9 am ~ 1 pm (please bring a snack or bag lunch)
Location: Clarendon Park Community Center 4501 N. Clarendon Ave, Chicago , with on-bike portion taking place at nearby Montrose Harbor.
Cost: $20 for Beginners Clinic; $25 for Intermediate Clinic
FREE water bottles go to all women who pre-register for Monsters 2012.
A message from Monsters race director, Katie Mann:
Monsters of the Midway is one of Chicago's longest running criteriums and it's coming up again on May 12th. This year we're looking to make Monsters an extra women-friendly race.
1. All women and all juniors who pre-register will get one of these sweeeeet looking water bottles (pictured above) on race day, totally free. Swap out that moldy bottle that always tastes like orange gatorade mix for something fresh. (We'll also have a few for sale on race day.)
2. Did you race at Gapers Block? Well, then you probably heard: pre-reg for Monsters and get a $5 refund on race day! That's $5 cash, just for showing up.
3. Speaking of $5, category 4 women can check out the W-Open race for just $5. If you can stick with the pack in the 4's, you should consider testing yourself in the W-Open. It's a great experience, and shows you that the next step up isn't as far away as you think. Hey, I tried it last weekend.
4. If you're not a cat 4 and are feeling a little left out, never fear. We're doing our best to make this the biggest W-open field in Chicago. More starters = more fun. If you've got suggestions on how we can make your race even better, shoot me an e-mail.
5. Plus, did I mention that we have tons of premes from some awesome sponsors?? [So far this include a bike fit (and more!) from Trek bikes on Michigan, coffee gift packs from Cafe 57, swag/secret drink mix from Skratch labs, monsters t-shirts... watch out though, I'm gonna be sprinting for ALL of these]
Finally, don't forget: this is one of the few races that you can ride to on the lakefront path. And your registration fees support a collegiate team.
Cathy Frampton sprinting to a win in the criterium at the Joe Martin Stage Race last year.
Please introduce yourself.
I grew up in Chicago and now live in the 'burbs with my husband. I have a full-time job which also requires travel that I weave into my training/race schedule. Prior to bike racing, I competed in various team sports - although they usually included some kind of a ball. When not working or cycling, I am enjoying the fabulousy tasty concoctions my husband creates for me and our family and friends, strumming the guitar or banging on the drums, and reading.
How did you get started in cycling, and what disciplines do you do?
My first memories of riding a bike are on our grandpa's Raleigh in Ireland. Too big for us, we had to stick our leg through the bike to pedal. In the mid-90's, I did the MS150 - we set out too late on Day 2, so got into a pace line of sorts and went as fast as we could. That was a blast. But the real changes came in 2005 when my brother gave me a bike. That year I started commuting, did my first century as a 40th b-day venture, and took a week-long cycling trip in Montana. The next couple years, I did charity rides - and then I wanted to do them faster. In 2007, I went on-line not sure what I was looking for, found a local women's racing team (I didn't even know racing existed locally - never mind for women!), and joined them for an "easy" ride. Needless to say, I got my butt whooped - dropped my chain, they dropped me, not enough water, no food. I went humbly back to my charity riding -but now aware that racing existed. The next year, when I congratulated one of those "easy" riders on her win at the Downers Grove crit, Kristen Meshberg invited me to her Pedaling with a Purpose (PWP) class in Oak Brook. I signed up immediately. Listening to the racing chatter at PWP and Kristen's nudge of "just try it" got me onto the crit course at the Gaper's Block first series in 2009. Since then I joined the Project 5 Racing team and have competed in crits, road races, TT's (I don't like them - yet?) and cyclocross.
What is your favorite race (local, regional, or otherwise)?
I really like Fox River Grove - not that I do it well, I just like it. I like the challenge of both the hill and the descent. Part self challenge, part strategy against others as I try to pass one more racer before the finish. Nothing about the course is boring. For the same reason, I like Snake Alley.
How would you describe your racing style?
Hhhmmm... I am still working on figuring that out. I don't have any stand-out qualities like a huge sprint or time trialing - so I guess I am an all-arounder.I do like racing as part of a team, strategizing and deploying team tactics. Whatever we decide to do influences more how I will race than what my natural tendency might be. My greatest memories of racing so far have been in leading out my teammates for their victories - what an awesome feeling!
Who is your favorite racer and why?
I do like watching Cavendish find a way through the crowd to bolt to the finish - a magician! And Cancellera's strength to just power away is jaw-dropping. But those guys are new to me. I didn't start liking racing because of seeing the pros. My first favorites were, and are, all our local women. I enjoy watching and learning and get a real kick out of seeing others get excited about trying something new and feeling good about their effort. How do you manage a balance between your cycling and non-cycling life?
I just told a friend how cycling is like medicine, I need it to remain healthy mentally and physically. So I plan it into my day/week, like any other planned event, and try not to diminish its importance relative to all the other life-things that come up. I am lucky that both at home and at work I have great people that give me the opportunity to fit cycling in my schedule. I couldn't do it without their support.
In your opinion, what are a few things that the women’s cycling community can do to strengthen itself and its presence in the local cycling scene?
Those that are riding now, stay on the bikes and demonstrate confidence in oneself. When other women see that - and they want that for themselves - they may be more inclined to get on their bikes. In order to demonstrate confidence, you have to develop it. The women's only clinics and workshops create a more comfortable environment for women to participate - thank you to all the clubs and individuals who have and will host these (Editor’s note: Check out the CWBR events calendar for information on upcoming clinics). And I ask that the experienced cyclists attend as well, please - There is always something more to learn but your energy at these events might help encourage a less confident potential cyclist to give it a go.
What is your advice for a new woman cyclist?
Specifically for cycling, it is a lifelong activity, so grow into it at your pace. Start with pedaling around the neighborhood, then consider commuting, charity rides (this sitehas links to most IL and mid-west rides), join local group rides (local bike clubs such as Downers Grove or Elmhurst, bike shop, or the women's cycling clubs), and then there is racing. Do what is right for you now. I didn't really start cycling until I was 40 and racing when I was 44. After racing, I plan to be touring somewhere, indulging in good food, drink, and music. But the bottom line is DO something - whatever it is for you. If you are on the edge of considering trying something (not just cycling), the standing on the side thinking about it is always much more agonizing than the doing. If you're lucky, someone might say a word to try to nudge you over the edge - recognize that as a gift (thanks, Kristen) and dive in - or at least dip your toe, get used to that, then stick in the whole foot, etc. at a pace that moves you forward.
What is your favorite thing about cycling?
Favorite thing about cycling is that little kid feeling. My favorite thing about racing is the camaraderie and competition. I like knowing my competitors - that they have worked hard to be a good competitor, will give it their all to make the race a race, and that are good sports/people, too. We have a fantastic community!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Just an offer to anyone that is interested in asking further questions to come out to a race and introduce yourself to me - or any of the other women cyclists. I cannot repeat often enough how fantastic a group we have in the Chicago area. See you out there!
