Cat 4 Race Series | Cat 4 Race Series FAQ | Cat 3 Race Series

Washington State Bicycle Association | Women's Cycling

The WSBA is committed to developing and supporting new bike racers and improving the quality of women's bike racing in the Pacific Northwest. Several activities throughout the year focus on helping women to build their racing skills and find a team for training and racing.

Luna Cat 4 Women's Race Series A season-long race series for category 4 (beginning) women featuring a variety of races and generous sponsorship. See the links at the top of this page for more information. Luna Cat 3 Women's Race Series New in 2008 is a series of races that will feature category 3 women's races not combined with any other category. Here's a chance for cat 3s to race only with their peers - and to support the promoters who make it possible. See the links at the top of this page for more information.

Developing Skills

• CycleU offers classes that teach everything from the basics of bike handling to advanced racing skills and time trialing. The registration fee for the Women's Racing Fundamentals and Upgrade Class is partly subsidized by the WSBA, and clinic participants receive cat 3 upgrade points. This women's clinic will be offered in 2008 on Saturday, January 19, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday, March 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Based on rider interest, more clinics may be scheduled into the summer. For more info on these classes, click on the link for each class on the CycleU calendar.
• Starting in early May and running through early September, the Marymoor Velodrome Association will have weekly women-only training sessions on Thursday nights. These training sessions are ideal for the new track racer or intermediate racer who would like to hone her track skills. Topics include pace lining, bumping, racing strategies, team pursuit, and interval sessions. Free bike rentals are available to all women - but you must take the introductory track class prior to attending the ladies sessions. Rain cancels. Please see velodrome.org for a list of current classes and the calendar.
• Coaching clinics are sponsored by the WSBA at early season races specifically to help cat 4 women build their racing skills and understanding. Local coaches and expert riders will carefully watch the race (from the lead car in road races) and then offer post-race feedback on the elements of the race, including team tactics, bike handling, and other components that make up the race. Clinics and coaches/commentators scheduled for cat 4 women's races in 2008 are:
  
  Mason Lake Road Race #2: Patricia Bailey, an elite racer who rose quickly from cat 4 to cat 2 and won the WSBA's cat 1-2 women's BARR in 2007.
  
  Independence Valley Road Race: Kristi Berg, USA Cycling certified coach with CycleU and experienced BMX, mountain, cyclocross, and road racer.
  
  Brad Lewis Memorial Criterium: Kenny Williams and Annette Williams, who between them probably have more world and national cycling titles than any other household in the state.
  
  Come hear the advice and insights these experienced local racers and coaches offer about the action in the cat 4 races on these three different courses. Cat 4 women should watch for information posted at these races and/or announced on the start line for the exact location and time for these free clinics, which will be held immediately after the races finish.
• Training races for women every other Tuesday evenings at Pacific Raceways from April through June (starting on April 8 and ending July 1). Riders are divided by skill level and experience, and elite racers from local teams ride with both groups to offer riding and racing tips as each race unfolds. Pacific Raceways is an auto racetrack completely closed to motor vehicles when used for bike racing, and races there feature a variety of different circuits. More information will be posted on the BuDu Racing website as the season approaches.
• Each autumn brings a series of women-only Sunday rides called Intro to Women's Cycling and Racing Teams. Emphasis is on not only riding skills but interaction with women from local teams who share their experiences and insights on bike racing. The schedule will be posted on the WSBA Event Calendar by Labor Day.

Finding a Team

The WSBA organizes Meet the Teams rides each autumn to help new riders find teammates with compatible goals and interests.