Women, know your place …on a bike!!

My husband and I run Serre des Ormes, a cycling retreat based in the Baronnies Provençal in the south west corner of the Hautes-Alpes. The area has a mixture of mountain passes and valleys dotted with picturesque fields and villages with something for most abilities. Mont Ventoux is not far away and with three sides to tackle there is something to challenge every level. Being based on the less known East side of Ventoux, Serre des Ormes is far from the crowds and surrounded by quiet roads. At 700m altitude we enjoy warm days but avoid the extreme heat found further South during the summer months.

We are both happy to say that over the last two years 50% of our guests are female, unfortunately this is not the general trend across the UK. Over the years we have learnt from our female guests some of the barriers that prevent more women from getting out and reaping the benefits in fitness and well-being afforded by riding bikes. For us cycling is the best possible way to truly discover a different country. The pace of travelling by bike is ideal for taking in the flora, fauna and architecture of a place and for interacting and meeting with the people who live there.

We have seen the great benefits a cycling holiday here can bring to everyone. Longer, but less steep climbs than those in the UK are rewarded with fantastic descents. The gentle gradients on quiet, well surfaced roads are perfect for practising descending skills and increasing confidence. By the end of a week, apart from general fatigue, many riders go home a lot more confident of their abilities.
There are a few other barriers to confidence on a bike that can be remedied relatively easily.

I have found myself taking female specific saddles off my bike to lend to guests so often that this year we have bought a range of saddles for guests to use when they are here. The saddle is one of the main points of contact on a bike and one day on a hard male specific saddle can be agony. Annoyingly it is not the norm for all bike shops to measure for saddle fit when women buy bikes or even talk about it at all. I am amazed by how many women who have been cycling for a long time have assumed saddle discomfort is unavoidable. Getting a good saddle and adjusting the height and angle to suit the rider is essential.

Another issue we often see is the brake position leading to sore hands. Disc brakes have made this better, but the position of the levers is often so far away from the bars that small hands are extremely stretched in order to reach the brakes. Using the drops on a road bike gives much more control on the descents and makes braking easier. Most brake levers can be adjusted inwards to within the reach of female hands, either with shims or by an adjustment screw depending on the type. A bit of practice going down to the drops on the flat once the brakes are within reach can make descending much more pleasurable.

Many bike shops now offer basic maintenance courses and these are an excellent idea if you are wanting to cycle alone. Being able to change a tube or fix a puncture is advisable and useful whether you are riding in a group or alone, male or female.

We have noticed that among men and women of the same ability, often women are much less confident than men and much more worried about holding up others but tend to be better at pacing themselves over the whole ride. I recently read in the Guardian that ‘Testosterone, linked to risk taking behaviour, may influence men to adopt overly aggressive strategies. In contrast women’s more cautious and consistent pacing minimises energy wastage and optimises long-term performance.” (Caitlin Fox-Harding and Krissy Kendall). So, if you are struggling at the beginning of a ride to keep up maybe it is just that you are pacing yourself better. Fortunately riding in a small group with friends for a whole week is a lot of fun and generally the worries are unfounded.

However, for those who are just starting out cycling and are worried about fitness then electric bikes have made cycling with others so much more accessible and enjoyable.

We asked some of our regular female guests about what they get out of cycling and what their advice would be for other women wanting to give it a go. This is what they had to say:

I have been cycling for 10 years – I started taking it seriously when I turned 40. Cycling gives me purpose, focus and freedom. And my tip for female cyclists is never let your gender define what you think you are capable of. I hear women saying all the time ‘I’m not strong enough, I can’t get up that hill etc’ I say it sometimes! and guess what, we are always strong enough! Believe! The best endurance athletes in the world are women, where we may lack in physical strength, our minds and spirit are way stronger and that’s all you need…. Lucy Ritchie

I have been cycling since 2015. I started off with 5 miles and built it up a bit more each time I went out until I could do 100 miles, but still prefer to do 20-50 miles at most. I used to take a lot of gels on longer rides until I did Mont Ventoux with Kate and she moved me onto dried bananas and nuts. Much better for me and the energy lasts longer rather than high and low spikes. I used to try to get out at least twice a week. Nowadays I don’t get out as much after several operations and busy with Grandchildren but still love to cycle so I bought an e-bike which helps me to still get up those hills. I love the freedom of being out in the countryside, seeing nature and taking in the fresh air…. Trish Greer

I started cycling when I was about 10 to get to the nearest village to see my pals. But “properly” mid 20’s so almost 40 years ago.
Bikes have changed a lot. Fatter tyres, better gears and female specific clothing have made cycling much better.
My top tip: Go Commando – don’t wear pants under your Lycra shorts. These should fit well – slightly tight- and have a decent chamois (it’s not the most expensive that fit the best – but they must not be baggy!)… Mo Howard

I have been cycling since 1980. A boyfriend who raced sold me his Raleigh Professional with all Campagnolo and I was hooked (on cycling not him). I rode all over Europe for six weeks in 1983 and it was life changing. The best part is I met my husband of 40 years in a bike club. My tip to women cyclists (and to men as well) is to learn how to draft – become and expert! it’s the only way I can hang with some of our groups...Mindy Mashburn

I’ve been cycling since 2017 when I retired, just 8 years. I’d been wanting to cycle but couldn’t fit it in time-wise between work and playing tennis 5x’s a week. When I told my friends that I was starting to cycle upon retirement they all said to me, “What NOW? At your (advanced) age!” My Response, “Should I wait till i’m 90 and start then?!” Now I”M the one having all the fun, increased bone density, back to normal from pre-diabetes sugar levels, and overall better fitness levels and they are all falling apart. My one tip for female cyclists is – don’t let anyone tell you, whether you are young or a senior citizen, that you can’t do something. Get on a bike, ride and have fun…Elise Sheppard

I first got into cycling about 20 years ago. I was a runner at the time and didn’t have a bike, but I knew a few people who went cycling in Mallorca, and I thought I’d give it a try. I’ve never looked back since! When Derby had a velodrome built, I attended some taster sessions, and I absolutely loved it. Cycling has become my escape and time to unwind, though I don’t get out as much as I’d like at the moment. A cycle ride should always include coffee and cake! It’s a great way to catch up with friends, and enjoy a good natter and plenty of laughs along the way... Jill Brown

I was introduced to road cycling by my good friend Jill via a cycling holiday in Mallorca back in 2018. This sparked my love affair with bikes, and I bought my first road bike, Brenda, a year later. Joining my local cycling club in 2022 has allowed my passion for cycling to grow even more. Cycling means freedom to me. It’s an opportunity to explore new places, spend time with nature, and connect with like-minded people. Every ride is an adventure, a chance to enjoy the outdoors and the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching new destinations.… Laura Woods

A big thankyou to all who contributed, we can’t beat that advice, so make this year the year you get our and ride. And if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to drop us a line and ask. You are probably not the only one asking the same thing!

Paul & Kate