MPR’s Sophie Nikitas reports on how women, specifically Anna Schwinn, are helping grow the sport of Women’s competitive track cycling in Minnesota. In this male dominated sport, Anna Schwinn said she used to show up at race nights only to find that the women's races had been canceled because so few female racers showed up. Through her efforts more women are participating in the sport locally and competition is now steep in the local velodrome.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: USA Cycling governs all types of competitive bike racing in the United States. According to its statistics, competitive cycling is 85% male, and men have always dominated the field. But when it comes to track cycling in Minnesota, that is starting to change.
Track cycling is competitive bike racing around a circular track. To boost interest, local cyclists want more women to try their legs at the sport. Anna Schwinn has been at the forefront of this effort. She's the founder of Koochella, the only all-women's track cycling team in the state. And yes, she is related to the founder of the famous bike company. Schwinn says that before the team formed, there wasn't really a place for women in the track community.
ANNA SCHWINN: I started a women's team about three years ago in response to recruiting women for the track and not finding teams that would take them.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: Schwinn would show up to race nights to find out that the women's races were canceled because so few female racers showed up. She started to recruit women who were interested in biking but had never tried competing.
ANNA SCHWINN: So these were inexperienced women who were really passionate but just didn't have any support.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: By support, she means things like transport to the track, access to affordable bikes, and basic training. One of the first women she recruited was Tiana Johnson. Johnson was working at a bike shop and participating in informal races around the Twin Cities, such as scavenger hunts on bikes. But Johnson was hesitant to try track racing, so Schwinn persuaded Johnson to try an introductory track clinic.
TIANA JOHNSON: She said, "I'm throwing a women's-only track clinic. I'm wondering if you're interested." And I was like, oh, man, I'm a sucker for ladies.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: Johnson is now fiercely dedicated to her team and to the sport.
TIANA JOHNSON: After our first time getting on the track, it's really, really scary. It looks like a wall. And you get on there. And the faster you go, the more comfortable you are. And it is just a riot. It's the funnest thing I've ever done.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: To compete on the track, cyclists have to travel to the only velodrome in Minnesota. It's part of the National Sports Center complex in Blaine. To picture the velodrome, imagine racing around a giant wooden bowl, where you might go so fast and so high up the walls that you're almost parallel to the ground.
Now, imagine doing that on a bike with no brakes. For a lot of women, it's not as simple as just trying out the track. Many people are put off by the cost of the sport. A special bike, clothing, and shoes can easily add up to be $1,000 or more. So experienced racers are trying to break down that barrier.
The velodrome has continued to hold women's-specific track clinics and offers bikes to rent. Johnson and Schwinn's team also offers to pay entrance fees for women on their first night of racing. And these incentives are working. Since Koochella formed three years ago, the number of women competing has gone from six to around 20. And as teams bring on more women, they're also bringing in more fans.
Looking ahead, there are plans to build a new indoor track in Northeast Minneapolis. It will allow racers to practice and compete year round. Organizers are already talking about partnering with local high schools to bring a younger, more diverse crowd out to the track. For now, Anna Schwinn is just excited about the number of women she saw this track season, which wrapped up last month. And she's thrilled about her ranking.
ANNA SCHWINN: I finished sixth overall last season. I will finish so far down the ranking this year that I will lose my special colored yellow numbers. And I think that's awesome.
SOPHIE NIKITAS: Sophie Nikitas, Minnesota Public Radio News, Blaine.
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