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Northwest Women's Race Series

Team Estrogen is proud to have been the title sponsor of the 2000 TeamEstrogen.com Northwest Women's Race Series. This series, organized by BikeMentors Online, seeks to promote and encourage that talent. It provides women who are considering racing with training, classes, and information, as well as increase the number, size, and quality of the races that are available. The 2000 season focused on events in Washington State. Long-term plans for expanding the series include duplicating the effort into the mountain biking, cyclocross, and track markets, and expanding into Canada, Oregon, and Idaho.

Here is what some of the racers had to say:

Thanks so much for helping to make the women's series possible. By sponsoring such a great series you've helped a lot of women like me fall in love with racing!
- M.W.

The season was a success and the sport gained many strong new women's racers. Personally, I benefitted greatly from the coaching and support. I have upgraded to Cat 3 racing and am enjoying it.
- S.P.

About the Series

Did you know...
...women own just about one half the bicycles in the U.S.
... there are over 33,000 people in the United States who race bicycles in sanctioned events.
...races are overwhelmingly dominated by male participants.
...only 9% of competitive cyclists are women.

Why are women so under-represented in competitive bike racing?

Unfortunately, a long-standing pattern of races too lightly attended has resulted in disappearing opportunities for women to race and gain experience. Typically, this light attendance leads to the grouping of women's fields into one race, with beginning category 4 level racers racing category 3s, 2s, and even 1s. Less experienced racers can easily get dropped from the pack and strung out along the course. With less than a dozen women competing in a given race, beginners can end up riding significant chunks or even an entire race alone.

The TeamEstrogen.com Northwest Women's Race Series is designed to change all that!

Series Goals

To help women realize their full potential, the TeamEstrogen.com Northwest Women's Race Series will provide women who are considering racing with training, classes, and information. The Series will also increase the number, size, and quality of the races that are available in the Northwest. We are confident that more women will be at the starting line, in an environment that is conducive to learning and succeeding.

The primary goals of the Series are:

First and foremost: Increase the number of women bicycle racers. All women begin in Category 4 and without growth in this beginner category, there will be no growth in the higher levels.
Increase the number of fields available to women, specifically add a cat 4-only field. For years promoters have had a very difficult time justifying the addition of individual categories for women, especially novice level (cat 4), when the turnout was so low. But how can a novice racer get experience when there are forced to race with some of the best women racers in the area, and dropped before they've even turned their first corner? By focusing on the women's events, the Series will solve this problem.
Build confidence and motivation with positive reinforcement by spreading prizes over a wide range of participants. Points and prize money are rewarded with small amounts to many - instead of large amounts to few. This method of reward has been a proven incentive to women to hang in there. Women participants consistently report that knowing points are awarded 15 places deep has kept them motivated to show up to races, to move up to toward the front during races, and to stay in the races until they cross the finish line.

Series Events

For the year 2000, the TeamEstrogen.com Northwest Women's Race Series will be a three-part program designed to increase participation, build community, and develop confidence and racing experience among the largest pool of racers - the beginners.

The Women's Cat 4 Series - March through August 2000
The race season will contain 12 events where the Women's Cat 4 racers will be specifically encouraged to participate. A special Cat 4 only field will enable beginning women to experience the thrill of racing with others in the same class.
Monthly Coaching Clinics - March through September 2000
The series will offer real coaching to participants. Too often, there are no coaching resources available to the amateur racer. Especially in the beginner ranks, the series will build confidence and skills by bringing the knowledge of former national champions to the women in the Cat 4 Series. Our plan is to add a free coaching clinic to one series race per month.
Women-Only Training Opportunities - all year long and next year, too!
In 2000, we will continue to offer women-only weekly rides on which they can test their skills, learn strategy and technique, and create the community of support that keeps us all in this sport together.
Women's Weekend Spring Training Clinic - tentatively scheduled for April 22-23, 2000
Negotiations are underway to bring two of the world's top female road racers to coach a weekend clinic in the Seattle area. Day 1 will be directed at novice (Category 4) racers, and Day 2 will be for all categories, from Category 1s to 4s. More info to follow!

Prizes

The Series will feature prizes for the overall winners at the end of the season, but we also reward racers at mid-season: the top 4 racers who upgrade before June 1 will receive offical uniforms from Cannondale, and the top 3 Series racers at mid-season will each receive a Yakima roof rack. Also, we'll be awarding good moves, technique, and race strategies at the Wedgwood Coaching Clinics. Here's a complete list of prizes, including prizes for juniors, master's women, and more: check it out! You might be taking home some of these goodies:

Top 10 Winners' Prizes: Overall Series Winners

Bianchi frame ($1200)
Festina watch ($250)
Rudy Project glasses and backpack of Rudy Project accessories ($100)
Bianchi frame ($1200)
Terry saddle from Bike Sport ($70)
Spinergy R2 wheels ($550)
Terry saddle from Bike Sport ($70)
Spinergy Rev X wheels ($550)
Marketplace Salon Vacation Day at the Spa ($300)
Defeet socks ($8)
-10. Bags of schwag including a combination of such items as bike pumps, computers, locks, saddles, gloves, and more (ranging from $50 to $150)

Top 25 Winners' Prizes: Awards for the top 25 overall series winners

T-shirt from one of our sponsors ($10)

Half Way Primes: Awards for the top 3 series winners at mid-season

Yakima bike rack with one attachment ($250)
Yakima bike rack with one attachment ($250)
Yakima bike rack with one attachment ($250)

Upgrade Incentives: Awards to the leading 4 racers who upgrade to Cat 3 at mid-season

Official Team Cannondale cycling outfit: jersey and shorts ($100)
Official Team Cannondale cycling outfit: jersey and shorts ($100)
Official Team Cannondale cycling outfit: jersey and shorts ($100)
B.I.Cycles bike fit ($80)

Masters Women: Awards for the top 3 riders age 35+

Rudy glasses/bag ($100)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)

Junior Prizes List: Awards for the top 3 riders under the age of 19

Rudy glasses/bag ($100)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)
Raleigh jersey ($70)
Defeet socks ($8)

Best Hill Climber: Award for the woman who glides over mountains as if they were mole hills

Timex women’s team uniform from Cannondale ($150)

Most Aggressive Rider: Award for the woman demonstrating the most strategic risk-taking and self-motivation in pursuing wins

Timex women’s team uniform from Cannondale ($150)

Most Improved Rider: Award for the woman who has improved her placings the most during the season

Timex women’s team uniform from Cannondale ($150)

Best Domestique: Award for the woman who is the most amazing (and valuable) team player

1 hour massage from Ballard Therapeutic Massage ($60)

Best Descender: Award for the woman with the least fear and greatest ability on the downhill

Pyramid jersey ($70)
6-pack of root beer from Pyramid ($3)

Best Road Rash: Might as well not make it an entirely bad event…

Pyramid jersey ($70)
6-pack of root beer from Pyramid ($3)

Most Married to Your Bike: Awarded to the woman most attached to her bike… at all times

One Off custom titanium ring ($165)

Monthly Clinic Prizes

Awarded by the clinic coach based on a rider’s spunkiness, smooth moves, etc.

March 18 race at Mason Lake:

CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)
CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)
CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)

April 1 race in Snohomish:

CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)
CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)
CRAFT women’s undershirt ($50)

Sprint Primes

Merchandise awarded throughout the Series
Water bottles, keychains, you name it!