Girl Power is the theme of Austin Cycling this spring

A lot of cycling is dominated by men. Head out to most Saturday morning hammerfests or even many social rides, and you’ll find the rides made up of mostly if not all men. (Even rides advertised as casual can get out of hand pretty quickly.)

So it is nice to see this trend being bucked in a major way in Austin with the occurence of tons of women only and women specific events designed to help female riders race and ride in a nurturing, non-aggressive atmosphere. This is in addition to groups like Austin Flyers and Team Hotel San Jose that support a women’s racing teams. After taking a look at our comprehensive calendar of Austin cycling events, these upcoming items jump out as an expression of girl power:

Tough Cookie Womens Duathlon
Sunday, March 15
Copperas Cove, TX
Experience multisport with the swim! This is a beginner-friendly, women-only sprint distance duathlon followed by a kids’ fun run. The 2K run/10 mile bike/2K. run course takes you through the scenic country side of Copperas Cove, TX. Visit the TCDC Fitness site for more information or to register.

Iron Chicks 2009 Training for Danskin Triathlon
Starts Saturday, March 28
North and South Austin Training Group locations
This 10-week training program prepares women with ALL experience levels – those that have never participated in a triathlon, as well as experienced triathletes – for the Trek Women’s Triathlon and the Danskin Triathlon. Iron Chicks training groups are limited to 30 participants per coach, giving it a small-group feel and plenty of interaction. You’re sure to feel cared for and noticed. For more information or to register, visit Iron Chicks at Rogue Running.

Women’s Triathlon Series Clinic
Saturday, March 7, March 14, March 28, Wednesday, April 8, Saturday, April 18, May 16, Sunday, June 21, Saturday, September 12, and Monday, September 21
Bicycle Sports Shop Central, 517 S Lamar Blvd
Red Licorice is hosting this clinic to help women prepare for their first triathlon or brush up on their skills. Themes vary from Transitions to Tire Repair to Clipping Out to Gearing. For more information, visit Red Licorice Events.

Women’s Road Racing Clinic by Team Hotel San Jose Women and Holland Racing
First Thursday of the Month Starting April 2 through October 1
The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane
Come join the women of Team Hotel San Jose on the 1st Thursday of every month, April through October, for Ladies’ Night at the Driveway. Learn how to ride comfortably and safely in a pack and carry speed through turns, all while enjoying the obstacle-free, perfect pavement of Austin’s premiere race course. Take the clinic at 6:15 and race the Women’s race at 6:45. Cost: $10, or $5 and a canned food item for Austin Foodbank. Race is free with paid clinic entry. Contact (512) 689-0192 for more information or just show up!

Champion’s Super Sprint and Olympic Distance Women’s Triathlon
Saturday, April 25 (Super Sprint- 300m swim/12 mi bike/2 mi run)
Sunday, April 26 (Olympic- 1500m swim/40K bike/10K run)
Pace Pend Park, Spicewood (SW Travis County)
The fine ladies at Red Licorice Events, Erin Truslow and Leilani Perry, are organizing this locally produced women’s only tri. With the Super Sprint as an easily managed distance and the Olympic as a truly challenging distance, there should be something here for all levels of athlete. For more information or to register, visit Red Licorice Events.

3rd Annual Skeese Greets Women’s Triathlon
Sunday, May 3
Texas Ski Ranch, New Braunfels
The Skeese Greets Women’s Triathlon offers a 300m swim/11.1mi bike/2mi run course with a supportive and friendly environment for beginners and advanced triathletes alike. For more info or to register, visit the Skeese Greet Tri site.

Trek Women’s Triathlon
Sunday, May 17
Walter E. Long Park at Decker Lake
Using a course similar to the Danksin, this marks the inaugural season of the Trek Women’s Triathlon series. Maggie Sullivan and Sally Edwards who built the Danskin series brand have left Danskin to establish this series. More on these changes here. For more information or to register, visit the Trek Women’s Triathlon site.

Danskin Austin Triathlon
Sunday, June 7
Walter E. Long Park at Decker Lake
With the departure of Maggie Sullivan and Sally Edwards, SheRox has taken over the management of this race. For more information or to register, visit the Danskin Triathlon site.

Sweet & Twisted Women’s Triathlon
Sunday, August 16
Pace Bend Park, Spicewood (SW Travis County)
Erin Truslow and Leilani Perry at Red Licorice Events are at it again with this 500 meter swim/15 mile bike/5K run women’s only triathlon. For more information or to register, visit Red Licorice Events.

Dude Girl Women’s Only Olympic Distance Triathlon
Sunday, September 20
Pace Bend Park, Spicewood (SW Travis County)
Red Licorice Events finishes out the women’s triathlon series with a challenging 1.5 K swim/40K bike/10K run Olympic distance tri. For more information or to register, visit Red Licorice Events.