By Sherrill St. Germain
Bike Like a Girl is thrilled to be a sponsor for Roseville, CA-based Woodcreek High School Cycling team, a club sport that races in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA.) Supported by a coaching staff of licensed volunteer ride leaders, a team trailer, loaner bikes, and a team mechanic, the high schoolers start training in October, and build up to an impressive 5 day per week regimen during the spring. This extensive training program prepares them to compete in challenging races of 10 to 30 (!) miles of single-track, cross country terrain.
The participation level and race results speak for themselves. Woodcreek has had approximately 30 riders on the team, one-third of which are girls. The races involve individual and team competitions based on the highest eight scores for the team. The girls on the team have contributed at least 50% of the team score over the last several years, i.e. 4 to 5 of the eight highest scores have come from the girls at each race. These teens are really making their mark on California cycling!
But that's not all. The girls are paying it forward – and backward – to the benefit of generations before and after them. Three Woodcreek team members lent their time and expertise at a recent workshop for prospective girls camp coaches. With guidance from their coach, Bike Like A Girl co-founder Julie Young, they demonstrated skill and safety exercises that comprise the camp curriculum. In the process, they dazzled and inspired the other (adult) attendees with their bike-handling prowess, particularly in the "How slow can you go?" competition. They have also volunteered to be camp coaches at the Roseville girls camp beginning in May. No doubt, the preteen campers attending will feel a special kinship and added inspiration from these mentors not so much older than themselves.
Girls, we couldn't be more proud, we thank you for your contribution, and we can't wait to see how far your bikes will take you!
Sherrill St. Germain, Bike Like a Girl Director and Blog Editor, is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. A former fee-only planner, she brings a decade of financial planning experience to content she develops for financial professionals, organizations, publications, and her blog TheFISide.com.
