We had great turnout early season, but as the season wears on, I think the
top women start focusing on a few key regional races with the promise of
larger fields and the local one-day races just don't get the numbers.

Meanwhile, some CAT 3s are wondering if upgrading was a mistake... As a
second year racer who has upgraded to CAT 3 this season, I can say it's been
a tough transition. I realize all racers go thru this, but the men have the
benefit of a true beginner CAT 5, a CAT 4, and then a CAT 3 field separate
from the 1-2s. Women really only have two CATs: beginner or advanced. There
is no Intermediate ground for us to learn and compete on. How many guys
would still find racing fun if they had to jump from CAT 5 to CAT 2 in their
second year of racing? I believe other NEW 3s feel the same way, so they
take up track, MTBing or just "wait for 'cross season."

And now since we don't believe anyone will show up to race, we don't either
and the races do in fact get cancelled. The problem has a spiraling effect:
fewer women means less interesting racing which in turn leads to fewer
women...and so on.

Sad situation for sure, and after all this rambling the only constructive
suggestion I can make is to limit the number of CAT 1-2-3 women's road races
in the mid to late season (CAT 4 fields are strong, so no need to limit
their race options). It would have the effect of forcing larger fields, and
larger fields leads to more interesting racing, which leads to more
racers...hey, I see a theme here. The senior women can always choose to ride
with the guys if there isn't a women's race on a given weekend. Yes, a few
race promoters would stand to gain over those not "chosen" but this
sacrifice would be for the collective good of women's racing in Oregon,
something we desperately need right now.

We would achieve this select schedule thru an OBRA Women's Forum attended by
team representatives at the beginning of each season to vote on which races
would make the "cut." We could also discuss how we as a collective group
will promote and encourage women's participation, be it thru organizing
clinics, mentoring etc. My team (Sorella Forte) does this internally, but
how much better could it be if teams worked TOGETHER to grow the women's
racing fields?

Just some thoughts. Maybe it would be impossible to come to a consensus on
which races to select, but the idea of a forum to talk about it couldn't
hurt?