Getting ‘Girled’

This will be one of the only posts you’ll ever see in ‘She Rides’ from a guy.

‘Getting girled’ is the latest in bike racing jargon from the man-pack. Admittedly, I know little of the history of strong women in cycling. My basis for discussion is simply emperical. Many years ago, only a few elite females could hand it to the guys. The lead pack of a road race was seldom anything but a sausage fest. In the dirt, even the Pro women were seldom pulling faster times in than the men’s Expert field. But women’s competition was marginal at the local and regional level in the midwest and SE US. Still, many men have blown themselves up to avoid being ‘girled’.

Before anybody finds any reason to be offended by the phrase ‘getting girled’, let me explain that it is a great thing. Moreover, ‘Getting womanned’ is just too hard to say.

In the mid-90’s thousands of women like Amanda McKay, Trish Stevenson & Karen Masson (now a mom!) got into the packs with the men, put up with our attitudes and egos, and perservered. In the new millenium, these grassroots heroines are huge players in the bike racing scene. They are inspiring all riders, shattering the glass ceiling of the male-dominated sport.

In 2003, I had the opportunity to ride the Shenandoah Mtn 100 with Trish S. I was in pretty good shape at the time and expected to finish in the top 10%. About 30 miles in, Trish grabbed my wheel, and we worked together for the next 30 miles or so. She probably did most of the work. Eventually, she pulled away on a long singletrack climb. I never saw her again. Damn, it made me smile. She won the women’s category with a big margin, and I made it into the top 10% of the robust field about 20 minutes back. (This was my first time at being ‘girled’. Frankly, it was a turn-on.)

Personally, I think this strong woman phenomonon kicks-ass. Maybe it is just because I love the balance women bring to the scene. Maybe its because they smell better than the guys. Maybe its because I own a bike shop and know that stong woman are growing our sport. Maybe its because I was raised in house full of women, and have a daughter. Maybe its because I enjoy watching guys wrestle with humility and their personal demons. For whatever reason, I have no choice but to look forward to ‘getting girled’ more often.

Show the world what you’ve got, ladies!

My New Pink Ellsworth

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose the wife of a bike shop owner would be expected to have a nice bike, perhaps the nicest available. Now I do, and I’ll tell you something, “I love it.” I’ve always had a nice bike and was quite pleased with them all, it’s just that now, I know what a bike can really do and just how good it can feel.

My little pink Ellsworth Truth is the finest ride I could of imagined. I feel like it wants to go faster than I can even go, like I need to catch up to my bike’s abilities. I better get riding. Truth is I had it for a couple weeks before I could even find the time to take it out for a spin.

Finally, yesterday I was not working and my friend Kristi was off as well. It was oddly cloudy and cool for the the beginning of July in Asheville. We headed out to Bent Creek in favor of Dupont as we were clearly not going to be able to swim.

The rain started when we got there, I barely noticed I was having such a good time. The bike wants to move, it wants to go over every log and get air on every jump. I guess in retrospect, I’m a little surprised how much of a difference a fine bike can make. I know it’s mostly about me and my abilities, but damn if i didn’t go faster on this thing, climb easier and just plain float down the trail.

I can’t wait to take it out again. I am really needing a ladies group ride with long miles and some swimming stops thrown in. Who’s going?? Summer is here!