Who Cares About Women's Bike Racing?

Even though I no longer race, I still support women's racing.  I love to watch the events and cheer the women on in the same fashion I do the men.  Every year, I feel the excitement brew as the Liberty Classic nears.  Having competed in the event twice, I know the thrill that swells inside as you wait at the start line for the gun to crack.  Now, standing on the sidelines, I get to cheer on some of the fastest local talent among the other global superstars of women's cycling.  It's cool.  It's fun.  I like it.

Sadly, not everyone does.  In a male dominated world, the discussion rages on about why there remains such inequity among men and women's racing.  I don't have the answers.  Wish I did.  Recently, Qwadzilla posted links to a few blogs on the topic.  The one blog unfortunately, blames women.  Unless I read it wrong...you decide.  While the author has legitimate points, this is hardly the core of the matter.  I'm no expert. Do you care?  Should you care?  Thoughts?

Decide for yourself:
The Problem with Women's Cycling

Or this blog:
Sad Truth About Women's Bike Racing

My Response:

Here's the problem I see; men don't care about women's cycling.  Until they do, women's racing will never match the level of the men's racing.  Men (not all, as it would be ignorant to generalize...but look who the majority of promoter's are) do not respect women in sport.  They are sexualized in calendars and many young girls at the elite junior level are taken advantage of by their male coaches and "colleagues".  It has become sport to crack these young girls open.  Check out:  Sexual Abuse of Underage Swimmers
It's not just swimmers either...

While I agree that women can sabotage themselves with drama and unrealistic demands, it certainly does not make for the sole reason that women's cycling is suffering.  There are many supporters (male and female) of the sport.  Historically though, the inequity amongst men and women has been tipping the scales and remains a battleground.  Look at other professions today.  Women continue to earn less pay for the same job performed as men.  Is that because there are fewer women performing the job?  (Which is the argument many promoters make)  Why would the cycling arena treat it any different?  Should it matter if women are fewer in numbers?  Would more women race if it were equally as lucrative?  I don't know.  My crystal ball says that if the same number of women were racing as men, the problem would remain.

There was a letter sent in to Velo News last year by an angered male reader.  He stated he felt duped because an article lead-in had the name Armstrong in the title.  When he opened the article, it was about Kristin, not Sir Lance.  He went on to say, (and I quote) "No one cares about women's cycling".  My bet is his attitude is shared by many other men.  This guy represents the average Joe in America.  There is a core value in America regarding women.  We like to convince ourselves that the guys we spend hours in saddle with would never betray us and have our backs.  Think again.  Joe America said it all in one simple sentence.  Does he speak for all?  No.  For most? 

Until attitudes and beliefs change, women's cycling will remain in the shadows of men.  I appreciate Kerry Litka's point of view and think she adds an interesting twist.  I just don't believe that is the heart of the matter, only a small part of the problem.  I bet the tour riders act like little bitches too.  Was it the 1986 tour where Greg Lemond whined like a bitch because Hinault was supposed to work for him to win?  And in the end they battled against each other?  There's team work for ya'.

During my years of racing, I found that my core of male friends respected and revered female bike racers.  They thought it was awesome that we were strong, fast and kicked ass on the bike.  However, don't get in their way at a race or ask for equal payout.  The hemming and hawing begins.  I do have to give people like Laird Knight of Granny Gear Productions his props.  Back in the early years of race promoting, he did give women equal prize payout in an effort to support and grow women's mountain bike racing.  Albeit at the prompting of a female bike racer, he listened, respected and did it!

When you are born male and white, there is a certain entitlement that is taken for granted.  It is one thing to be organized and do your job.  It is another to be respected by sheer virtue of who you are born to be.  (Go back and read your history books on white male privilege)  Until then...who knows.  Lance would probably scoff at Kerry's proposal for him to back a women's race.  Too bad.  Great idea.  Only problem is, it serves him no purpose.

One answer would be to find more female financial sponsors who support cycling and become the powerhouse independent of these other promoters.  Where are they?  It's what I would do if I had endless cash.  Hot topic, endless conversation.

Here is the link to my comment below...
ABC News Clip on the salary disparity between men and women.