The shitstorm

Last weekend, I started a big shitstorm here in my tiny little cycling community. After the post below about this shitty crit I attempted to do, I sent an email to a USAC rep and cc'd the race promoter requesting a women's "C" race.

Here is what I sent:

You'd think that the Ault Park Series of crit races would show some interest in developing new cyclists and broadening our cycling community, but year after year, the series has locked women out. Instead, the promoter, __________, has told women they can pay the same as the men to race with the men, but most women who show up have the same experience-- shelling our out $15 just to get dropped in a lap or two. Not only does this guarantee low (if any) female turnout, it also makes women who show up feel pretty bad about our cycling abilities. As long as this is the set-up, women's turnout won't increase, and Mr. _______ can say "women don't show up, why should we give them their own race?"

USAC needs to stop permitting races that don't treat women equally. It's bad for the sport.

Sincerely,

Judi Rothenberg

The club that puts on the series found out about my email and on Saturday morning I woke up to about 15 emails from 3-5 of their board members. Nasty attacks..... I am only naming one guy who was the worst of all of them.

"Judy what you did was wrong, cowardly, self centered and unsubstantiated. You have no idea about cycling and or tradition" Rick Hoeting".

"You have a lot of audacity asking USAC to shut down an event because it doesn't meet YOUR criteria for the type of racing it should provide."

"I’ve been bicycle racing since 1972, and I have encountered every type of volunteer and for-profit promoter imaginable. To attack the integrity of ___________, who VOLUNTEERS hours of his time to promote Ault Park, is shameful. Get involved, volunteer."

"I view her as hostile to the club and cycling in general. Until her attitude changes she has no business at any meetings. Last time I checked obama doesn't meet with bin laden to lay out future plans." (Rick Hoeting)

"not all women get dropped, just the ones who need to train more." (Rick Hoeting)

"You are a freaking moron and if I was you I would quit before you run out of appendages to put into your mouth." (Rick Hoeting)

"You’ve got a lot of nerve banging on someone who volunteers their time to promote an event which benefits the Cincinnati racing community so tremendously. How much time did you spend in 2009 volunteering at cycling events?"

By Saturday morning I was in tears and had to work all day. I kept on reciveing more and more nasty emails (right now there are about 95 emails total that have been sent in the last 4 days).

Out of all those girls I raced with, ONE girl had my back. Christa. She and Julie helped me write a reply (it's long so I am just posting parts....)

As a female athlete and a beginner at bike racing, I can tell you that getting involved in the sport on a competitive level, especially as an adult, is not easy. It is intimidating and often discouraging to get to a race and often be one of only a small handful of women showing up amongst dozens if not hundreds of men. For many women, this makes it discouraging enough not to show up a second or third time. Hence, competing in an event like AP crit, where there are not only a small showing of females, but also the knowledge that you will be competing against CAT 4 men, is frustrating and makes it not as enjoyable an experience. You say not enough women show up. Of course women aren't going to show up and pay $ to get dropped from the men's race.

I know the your BOD has been approached by your own female team members about these issues and didn't get much of a response in return, that's why I turned for outside help. .....Do you think it's fair for women to pay the same and put in the same training and effort to race a field they can't compete in?

Women's bike racing has exploded in our area in the last few years. There were 33 women that lined up at Vandervorts. Wouldn't it be great it we could get even just half that to show up for their own race at Ault Park? Make it 15 laps? Let the juniors ride with us! I understand Ault Park races have been going on for 27 years. The change for a C race could be nothing more than a huge positive for everyone involved.

I just started bike racing last fall in CX. I helped Dave the following month with set up for a couple CX races. This spring I helped with registration at 4 of the spring race series. I also volunteered FOR YOUR CLUB at the Cleve's TT a few weeks back. I have offered up time to help with Maderia and Dave's master RR next weekend. I DO volunteer. You must have spelled my name wrong when you looked it up. It's Rothenberg, not Rothenburg.

I received more emails from the rest of the board, trying to apologize for Rick Hoeting's hateful comments that had me in tears Sat and Sun.

"I apologize for the comments made by Rick Hoeting. I do NOT agree with the tone, and much if any of the content, of his most recent comments, or those he made earlier. As for the comments I made to you in a private email concerning your volunteering capacities, I apologize. Clearly you have been involved in helping with local events. Thank you."

"Don't apologize for me and trust me the tone is only a fraction of how pissed I am. I am not sure why you guys keep entertaining her babble." (Rick Hoeting)

Monday I woke up to an email from the director of my team. Rick Hoeting wrote an email to my director, trying to get me kicked off Kenda:

" Judi Rothenburg is a serious detriment to the image your team portrays. You might want to seriously consider terminating your association with her or at least require some type of formal apology to the promoter and the hosting club.....For your own records....I have checked Judi’s performances personally and find that she gets dropped from her own categories as well. I think the problem isn’t that the competition is too fast but Judi is just too slow." (Rick Hoeting)

Reply from my director (again, long, so I am just posting the best parts. He backed me 100%.

"Accusing Judi of under-training is just short of bull hockey and it is very discriminatory against women. I will not honor your concern of that, as I know many women of your local OH teams, which I graciously will not name, would greatly appreciate what Judi is asking for....Your suggestion to ban her is way out there and beyond your position within USA Cycling. There is no need to threaten Judi, and don't assert any threat towards our team.....This whole thing is way out of control. Maybe everyone needs to go back and re-read Judi's original email. Judi simply requested a women's race, and she was personally attacked from that point on."

They wanted Christa and I to come to the race tonight. The race promoter asked us out to eat after the race to discuss the entire thing. My plan was to go all day. Then I sent a note asking which place to meet at, and the promoter got shitty with me again.

"Come early so we can discuss how to increase your lap count".

Ummm. I don't need a coach thanks. I just responded back that I had to go to Home Depot because my ceiling is falling in and I need a new roof. I needed a time/place. He says:

"I have a skid of shingles in my garage you can have if you race tonight".

WHAT???? BRIBE ME MOTHER FUCKER??? So you and your rich Hyde Park buddies can sit back and laugh again when I bust a lung trying to make it around 2 laps? Humiliate myself? Really?

Plus you know I NEED those fucking shingles. And I don't have any money to buy shingles for a new roof. And he knew that and tried to dangle something in front of my face just so he could get his kicks watching me suck.

So the tears start flowing and I just can't do it anymore. I called Christa and told her I was done. I am tired. I want to stop being told I suck.

I may have to quit racing and just go have fun and ride my bikes. I'm seriously thinking about it. Cuz all of the sudden, this isn't fun anymore and my confidence is destroyed.