BVI Cycling Federation targeting women only for Mothers Day race

By Dean Greenaway

For the first time in its 10 year history, the BVI Cycling Federation is organizing a race for women only, fittingly on Mothers Day. The 7 a.m. race starts at the Old Festival Village site and ends at the West End Police Station.

"We decided on having a women's race this year in our 10th anniversary, because in the past we've had only one or two women showing up for races," BVICF president David Thomas said. "We decided to have this race to see how many of the local women we can attract and see if we have any potential really serious cyclists in the bunch."

Thomas said the original plan called for starting the race at 4 p.m. from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College going to the airport and return, but that was changed following the April 27 race. "After the recent rains and the roads being in such deplorable conditions up there we consulted with our secretary and the other women officials and decided to make it easy and go down to the West End Police Station."

Thomas said if there are any elite riders showing up, their course will take them to West End and back to Road Town. Additionally, Last Stop Sports is donating bikes and helmets for the race, but they must be collected by Friday afternoon.

"I'm hoping that we get all of the women community coming out and if not riding, as least cheering on their female counterparts who are riding. Who knows, if it turns out really well, it might be something that we would possibly do again before the end of the year," Thomas said.

"If it works better than I think it will, we may actually one day have women's series. Anything is possible right now. But, if we can have a field of 10-20 riders it will be really great because the riders will be women only. Guys, if you're thinking of putting on a wig don't do it. We just want to have the women to come and have a fun morning. We will have snacks after the race. It could be really interesting."