Female Cycling Numbers

[GaryvdM]

For 947 Cycle Challenge Male finishes also dropped this year.

	Male	Female	Tandem
2010	12360	3010	557
2011	13471	3498	567
2012	14769	3942	745
2013	15819	4190	782
2014	16378	4626	718
2015	16559	4186	781
2016	15764	3742	778

[Gen]

I have been through a different challenge with ladies. We tried starting an all ladies Pure savage DC team vibe. Know enough ladies that are at a similar level to create a team, do you think any of them want to ride together? Not a chance, want to stick to their mixed teams.

 

Just look at how many all female DC teams there are

No offense to the other ladies out there and i don't really wamt to generalize but personally I would not de hell be in a ladies team.. sorry they can just be high bloody maintenance and well cows... it was one of the reasons why I quit club hockey a few years back.. too much effort keeping everyone happy hey...

 

I am not saying all ladies are like that, but to find a group that will gell is not so easy.

 

But well done to you for trying hey.

[Serious Panda]

And hence your point of view.....for me it is not a hobby.

It is a way of life.

 

It is a way of life for me too, but you can not argue away the fact that it is still just a hobby, unless you make a living from cycling. The danger is very real, and people are dying for their hobby.

[Serious Panda]

I think the decline started from when I stopped road cycling.

[Long Wheel Base]

Are the men's numbers also not decreasing?

Meaning increasing?

[NordicElf]

I did a road ride from Jhb to Parys a few weeks ago we were 26 ladies out of 55 or something. I've noticed a lot more ladies riding alone even in the Cradle compared to last year. But of course this is anecdotal, but I was a bit surprised to see the numbers were dropping? 

Is it worth doing a comparison on percentage of the fields in 947 and Argus?

[Pure Savage]

No offense but personally I would not de hell be in a ladies team.. sorry they can just be high bloody maintenance and well cows.... too much effort keeping everyone happy hey...

 

I am not saying all ladies are like that, but to find a group that will gell is not so easy.

 

But well done to you for trying hey.

 

Basically how the replies to my wattsapp messages go. Still keen for next year. 

 

Just some of our savage tactics may not be appreciated, like our DC puncture strategy, if either your legs or tube pops, cheers see you at next stop. 

 

If anyone is keen on this - and is female - (Patchilicious in a mini skirt wont cut it) let me know, will do all the *** admin side of things. 

[Pure Savage]

For 947 Cycle Challenge Male finishes also dropped this year.

	Male	Female	Tandem
2010	12360	3010	557
2011	13471	3498	567
2012	14769	3942	745
2013	15819	4190	782
2014	16378	4626	718
2015	16559	4186	781
2016	15764	3742	778

Untitled.png

 

Biggest issue is the average age of cyclist population, the average age for Argus is like 49. Old men are obviously a little more stubborn about still cycling than old women.

[Frosty]

I will be adding some stats, later, for male/female, licence/non-licenced and age categories for ROAD and MTB for the Carnival City Macsteel National Classic.

 

This will give a little more insight.

[Gen]

Basically how the replies to my wattsapp messages go. Still keen for next year.

 

Just some of our savage tactics may not be appreciated, like our DC puncture strategy, if either your legs or tube pops, cheers see you at next stop.

 

If anyone is keen on this - and is female - (Patchilicious in a mini skirt wont cut it) let me know, will do all the *** admin side of things.

He he he.. I actually understand those tactics.. I know some may feel miff about it, but you guys set a goal for the DC and yes bad luck happens but it's all for the greater good[emoji23] [emoji23]

[Madone69]

this is a very interesting topic.

i think its a whole host of things just not coming together at times

1. Cape Town had growth in numbers for both male and females - lots of social groups and even new clubs started up in the last 5 years - then the races / funrides just stopped happening. - down goes the numbers
2. the cost increased - so doing a family event of the husband & wife - easy R600 just for one race entry - go figure - MTB even more expensive
3. the lack of safety from hijackings to accidents
4. the few females that are riding are finding themselves joining the male race snakes and just get blown away...soon they just dont enjoy it anymore
5. and then the EGOs of the road scene ...aaaaaaai lets not start that one.

the growth of running especially by females have sky rocketed... just look at the events.

 

all just my opinion and current experience.....

[Vetplant]

Latching onto the Running theory:

 

Parkruns have grown amazingly over the past few years. Free 5km timed event in nature every Saturday, what is not to love. Parkrun Voortrekker Monument and Botanical Gardens see numbers of about 800 to 1000 people every single Saturday. 

 

A decline in disposable income in real numbers might be one of the biggest factors driving this decline in cycling we are seeing.

[Reegan]

so I was interested to see how this compared with running...because running is going through a definite growth spurt. huge assumption here...but I think the number of female trail runners are increasing 

 

what facts I do have is the number of competitors for comrades over the past 10 years...which also is quite interesting

 

2016 - 2962

2015 - 2505

2014 - 2441

2013 - 1963

2012 - 2336

2011 - 2190

2010 - 3135 (outlier)

2009 - 1748

2008 - 1414

2007 - 1767

2006 - 1608

 

As a girl and a newbie this is my experience with cycling:

Being a runner myself (Ultra road marathons mostly) I took up cycling about a year ago as a form of cross training between my running and my closest friend, who has been a competitive cyclist since before he could walk, encouraged me to give it a go too. We built up a bike together with his help and the help of all you here on the hub and managed to get a nice spec-ed mtb for around 10k. 

 

I started cycling with him only and myself just around the roads in Pretoria and then we started going to mtb parks and started with a 16km race and worked up to 45km races and 60km group rides. I was more than happy to ride my bike on the roads (if it meant going round in circles to get longer distances) to get fit and enjoyed the actual cycling itself very much three times a week when I didn't run. 

 

However the more I began to join races and go to mtb parks I began to enjoy it less and less. I'm not the most confident on the trails when it gets technical or tight lines and somehow managed to faceplant at almost every race without fail. The thing that got me though was that no matter if I was in the J batch at a trailseeker if I got to a technical section and needed a bit more time to maneuver through it I'd be shouted at from behind with numerous calls of "TRACK" and just general irritated comments of inconvenience. Now twice shy I'd just get off and pull my bike off the path into the bushes at every small technicality so people could pass and not even attempt anything which never helped me gain the confidence to practise them.

 

Group rides were similar; I would be perhaps the slowest in the bottom batch owing to my difficulty with technicalities and although those ahead would go on ahead of me and then come back and forth all the time it never gave me much confidence or encouraged me to try I'd rather just get off and run with my bike to get through it quick and not be left behind.

 

I tried going to bike parks alone at early hours eventually to practise and get better which did help granted but the moment anyone came up behind me at a race or a normal hour of the day the same thing would occur. 

 

And I'm not trying to run down anyone in the cycling world because there have been those who stop behind me and wait and encourage me to give something a go and they'll wait behind me happily or pass me when there is space and give a cheerful thanks on their way past. But in general I felt the people are just not as interested in helping someone who is a little less confident (as most ladies are). Whereas during a group run if someone is having an off day or is a little slow one if not all will take the time to slow to their pace that day or walk with them and encourage them to run again at the next lamp post or whatever.

 

And I don't mean to offend anyone with what I have said here just thought I'd share my experience which has put me off cycling a lot and hence I haven't touched my bike in the last few weeks after the latest group ride.

[Vetplant]

As a girl and a newbie this is my experience with cycling:

Being a runner myself (Ultra road marathons mostly) I took up cycling about a year ago as a form of cross training between my running and my closest friend, who has been a competitive cyclist since before he could walk, encouraged me to give it a go too. We built up a bike together with his help and the help of all you here on the hub and managed to get a nice spec-ed mtb for around 10k. 

 

I started cycling with him only and myself just around the roads in Pretoria and then we started going to mtb parks and started with a 16km race and worked up to 45km races and 60km group rides. I was more than happy to ride my bike on the roads (if it meant going round in circles to get longer distances) to get fit and enjoyed the actual cycling itself very much three times a week when I didn't run. 

 

However the more I began to join races and go to mtb parks I began to enjoy it less and less. I'm not the most confident on the trails when it gets technical or tight lines and somehow managed to faceplant at almost every race without fail. The thing that got me though was that no matter if I was in the J batch at a trailseeker if I got to a technical section and needed a bit more time to maneuver through it I'd be shouted at from behind with numerous calls of "TRACK" and just general irritated comments of inconvenience. Now twice shy I'd just get off and pull my bike off the path into the bushes at every small technicality so people could pass and not even attempt anything which never helped me gain the confidence to practise them.

 

Group rides were similar; I would be perhaps the slowest in the bottom batch owing to my difficulty with technicalities and although those ahead would go on ahead of me and then come back and forth all the time it never gave me much confidence or encouraged me to try I'd rather just get off and run with my bike to get through it quick and not be left behind.

 

I tried going to bike parks alone at early hours eventually to practise and get better which did help granted but the moment anyone came up behind me at a race or a normal hour of the day the same thing would occur. 

 

And I'm not trying to run down anyone in the cycling world because there have been those who stop behind me and wait and encourage me to give something a go and they'll wait behind me happily or pass me when there is space and give a cheerful thanks on their way past. But in general I felt the people are just not as interested in helping someone who is a little less confident (as most ladies are). Whereas during a group run if someone is having an off day or is a little slow one if not all will take the time to slow to their pace that day or walk with them and encourage them to run again at the next lamp post or whatever.

 

And I don't mean to offend anyone with what I have said here just thought I'd share my experience which has put me off cycling a lot and hence I haven't touched my bike in the last few weeks after the latest group ride.

Well done for sharing your experience, I think everyone can learn from your comment.

[NordicElf]

Basically how the replies to my wattsapp messages go. Still keen for next year. 

 

Just some of our savage tactics may not be appreciated, like our DC puncture strategy, if either your legs or tube pops, cheers see you at next stop. 

 

If anyone is keen on this - and is female - (Patchilicious in a mini skirt wont cut it) let me know, will do all the *** admin side of things. 

 

I'd be keen. I think an all women team sounds awesome.

I am female...

[Pure Savage]

As a girl and a newbie this is my experience with cycling:

Being a runner myself (Ultra road marathons mostly) I took up cycling about a year ago as a form of cross training between my running and my closest friend, who has been a competitive cyclist since before he could walk, encouraged me to give it a go too. We built up a bike together with his help and the help of all you here on the hub and managed to get a nice spec-ed mtb for around 10k. 

 

I started cycling with him only and myself just around the roads in Pretoria and then we started going to mtb parks and started with a 16km race and worked up to 45km races and 60km group rides. I was more than happy to ride my bike on the roads (if it meant going round in circles to get longer distances) to get fit and enjoyed the actual cycling itself very much three times a week when I didn't run. 

 

However the more I began to join races and go to mtb parks I began to enjoy it less and less. I'm not the most confident on the trails when it gets technical or tight lines and somehow managed to faceplant at almost every race without fail. The thing that got me though was that no matter if I was in the J batch at a trailseeker if I got to a technical section and needed a bit more time to maneuver through it I'd be shouted at from behind with numerous calls of "TRACK" and just general irritated comments of inconvenience. Now twice shy I'd just get off and pull my bike off the path into the bushes at every small technicality so people could pass and not even attempt anything which never helped me gain the confidence to practise them.

 

Group rides were similar; I would be perhaps the slowest in the bottom batch owing to my difficulty with technicalities and although those ahead would go on ahead of me and then come back and forth all the time it never gave me much confidence or encouraged me to try I'd rather just get off and run with my bike to get through it quick and not be left behind.

 

I tried going to bike parks alone at early hours eventually to practise and get better which did help granted but the moment anyone came up behind me at a race or a normal hour of the day the same thing would occur. 

 

And I'm not trying to run down anyone in the cycling world because there have been those who stop behind me and wait and encourage me to give something a go and they'll wait behind me happily or pass me when there is space and give a cheerful thanks on their way past. But in general I felt the people are just not as interested in helping someone who is a little less confident (as most ladies are). Whereas during a group run if someone is having an off day or is a little slow one if not all will take the time to slow to their pace that day or walk with them and encourage them to run again at the next lamp post or whatever.

 

And I don't mean to offend anyone with what I have said here just thought I'd share my experience which has put me off cycling a lot and hence I haven't touched my bike in the last few weeks after the latest group ride.

 

Maybe time to sell the MTB and come ride with friendly roadies