What's it like to be one of the few girls riding in the same class as the boys? I was curious, so I asked some people who had been there. Q: What classes have you ridden in?
LJ: "Powderpuff" (ladies class-I hate that name and we changed it the next year!!),
Ladies Open, 125 Amateur, Ladies Expert, 125 Intermediate. I've also raced at Loretta Lynn's Youth/Amateur Nationals in Tenn. It was an awesome experience and I'm glad I went. Finished 18th out of 35 or so women; and that's with crashing my brains out in practice.
Shannon: I've raced the ladies expert, 250 expert, 125 intermediate, and the Pro class
in TCCRA. In motocross I've raced ladies expert and 250 beginner.
Taz: In motocross I have ridden the 125 Beginner and 250 beginner. In cross country I have ridden the 125 amateur and 125 intermediate as well as the ladies expert.
Q: What are the major differences between racing in the ladies classes and in the "big bike" classes?
LJ: 1.) at the start, 2.) passing, and 3.) aggressiveness.
1.) On the start of the women's races, the atmosphere is much more relaxed and loose. We all make it a point to wish each other luck and can talk and laugh about many different things. With the guys, it's "race-face" city with lots of intensity and testosterone to go around. Much less laid back and not so much camaraderie. With the ladies, either just the experts or all three classes combined, there's not a whole lot of us compared to the number of guys racing. We're kind of an exclusive club, so there's a bond there because we all have that one unusual, weird, odd, strange, downright crazy thing in common: we race motorcycles in a male-dominated world. Don't get me wrong, when the flag goes up, we are just as serious and competitive as the guys; but, until then, we can talk, laugh, and revel in the glory of what we're doing and how we're being sooooo non-traditional.
2.) Passing in the guys' classes is much more dangerous and aggressive. The men don't hesitate to try and cram their bikes through a one foot opening whereas the women will wait for a more opportune (or safer) time to go for a pass. When passing, the guys will cut it a lot closer than the women, too. It's a little nerve-racking to say the least. I would also have to say that the guys are more predictable and consistent with the lines they will take; they hold their lines better as well. Sometimes, I'm just not sure where some of the women are going to go when I try to pass them. It gets interesting.....
3.) Lastly, the difference in aggressiveness is major. I've seen women pull over and let me or someone else pass whereas a guy will make you fight for and earn the pass. There's also more contact and bumping with the guys. To be fair, though, the level of aggressiveness in the women's classes is increasing. I had more contact with other women riders this last race (Muenster) than I have throughout the majority of my racing career. The women are starting to mix it up more, but still have a way to go before equaling the guys. (Not a complaint or dig, mind you).
Shannon: You have to really fight for what you want. It's a lot more competitive, but I love it.
Taz: The guys are more aggressive.
Q: Are the men in the "big bike" classes harder on you than they are on the boys in the class?
LJ: Usually, they don't even know I'm a girl until I take my helmet off; and then, they're pretty cool about it. If you can ride and keep up with the guys, they don't have any problems with you. When you prove that you can handle yourself on the track, the guys usually don't treat you any differently than any other racers. They even pick on you and B.S. with you like the other guys. That's usually a pretty big compliment. The biggest, though, is when they come ask you to take a practice lap or let you take one with them.
Shannon: I think that they are probably harder on themselves than they are on me. Because I've seen guys try to kill themselves in order to pass me then crash out as I go by them again. I don't understand why some guys are so against a girl beating them.
Taz: Yes, because they don't want to get beat by a lady.
Q: Do you have male friends in your class?
LJ: When I rode 125 Am. and Int. I had lots of guy friends. Several of us practiced together on a regular basis. Some of my old Int. buds include Shannon Butler and Todd Gleason.
Shannon: Yep! Gregg #T29 has been my friend for awhile, but most of the guys in the 250 expert class are my friends. I think out of all the "big bike" classes I've raced the 250 expert class is the nicest.
Taz: I do in the class that I will be riding next year.
Q: What's your favorite part of riding in the ladies classes?
LJ: What I like most about riding with the women is the camaraderie and the genuine concern we have for one another. We want to do our best, but not take anyone out or hurt each other. I know if I'm down, someone will make sure I'll be taken care of.
Shannon: I feel more confident, probably because I feel like they don't want to kill me. What's your favorite part of riding in the big bike classes? They make me ride to my best ability and that is the real fun because you get faster.
Taz: Passing lapped riders and trying to pass all the mini experts.
Q: What's your favorite part of riding in the big bike classes?
LJ: I like riding with the "big bike" classes because it suits my riding style better. Usually, my second 25 miles is faster and better than my first because I get so pumped up and can't calm down enough to relax and get into a good pace. Another reason I like it is due to the fact that you have time to make some moves as well as have time to recover if you make a mistake or crash. The ladies' class is almost like a moto in that you don't have much time to settle into a comfortable pace; and if you don't holeshot, you're usually screwed.
Shannon: They make me ride to my best ability and that is the real fun because you get faster.
Taz: Beating the guys.
Q: More laps: more fun or just more work?
LJ: More laps favors my riding style and allows me to really get warmed up and into the groove of things. Too many times I'm pulling into the barrels and a checkered flag and I'm just getting warmed up, wanting to go some more.
Shannon: More laps are definitely MORE FUN, I think having 5 laps to work up to a place, plus I feel like I'm getting more out of it. The harder it is, the more a good finish means to you.
Taz: More laps are more fun when its a fun track, but when the track sucks, it sucks.
Q: Have you raced both the ladies and "big bike" classes in same day? Did you enjoy it?
LJ: Yeah, it was fun because I picked tracks that I liked, felt comfortable on, and knew I would have enough juice left to run the second race. Now, Bonita, there's NO way I could have ridden two races at that track!!! I don't think anyone could have.
Shannon: I've raced both classes in one day and it was a little hard, but I really enjoy it because you have the upper hand on the guys, which I need sometimes.
Taz: Yes, it's a blast cause I race the ladies class first and then race the guys class, I know the track during the guys race.
Q: Do you ride a different bike in the ladies class than in the "big bike" class? Why?
LJ: I ride my 125 in any class I race.
Shannon: No, I ride the same bike because I tried to ride different bikes and it was just too much difference and I felt like I was going to end up hurting myself.
Taz: No, I know my bike and my bike knows me, well when it's not throwing me on the ground.
Q: Why did you choose your bike(s)?
LJ: I'm just not made to ride a 250. If you haven't noticed, I'm vertically challenged which makes getting on and starting a 250 (especially without a stand) a little difficult. Besides, I don't have enough oomph in my butt to start anything bigger than my 125. I'd just get to the crash a whole lot faster on anything bigger!! The 125 is perfect for me because of it's weight, suspension, and get up 'n go. Dad started me on one back in 1985 and I didn't know any better, so here I am today, still on one.
Shannon: I've always ridden Hondas because I like the power that they make and the way that they handle.
Taz: I chose the 99KX 250 because I had ridden a KX 125 and it just wasn't enough and at the time I thought it was the only bike for me. Now I'm thinking of getting a 2001 CR 250, cause I like the way it feels.
Q: Do people in TCCRA treat you differently when they know you race with the boys?
LJ: People may be more impressed or respectful when they learn I race with the guys, but that's about it. They don't ostracize me or think I'm an alien or anything. If you can ride with the guys, you've paid your dues, earned your number and the respect of the guys you ride with. I guess that's how I look at it.
Shannon: I don't know. I think that they think I'm crazy sometimes when I raced the PRO class, but HEY you gotta keep it fun.
Taz: Yeah, I guess. They cheer for me a lot more when they know I'm riding with the guys, I guess they have respect for me.
Q: How do non-TCCRA people react to your riding/racing?
LJ: Non-racers think I'm completely out of my mind. Then I really blow their minds and tell them my 59-year-old mother does it as well. After that, they usually just shake their heads and walk away mumbling. It's pretty fun!!
Shannon: Some people laugh and act like there is NO way that I could really ride or even race for that matter, but most females just think that I'm stupid. Guys who actually know that I can ride think that it's cool.
Taz: My parents hate it. But my friends think it is cool and always brag on me.
Q: Do they react differently when you tell them you race with the boys also?
Shannon: My teachers do, but mostly people don't really understand what it's all about, so you get the "oh that's nice," reply.
Taz: Yeah, they think that I'm super fast but they really don't know because they don't go to the races.
Q: Do the answers to any of the above questions change if you race outside the TCCRA?
LJ: I don't race outside the TCCRA anymore so I can't really answer the question about how people treat me away from cross country.
Shannon: No, not really. The only thing that might change is the guys in motocross are a little more aggressive and they really would like to kill me...ha ha.
Taz: No, the big difference is aggressiveness, you have to be a little more aggressive in motocross cause the race is so short and there's not a lot of time.
Q: Do you have any dirt bike "role models" either in the TCCRA or elsewhere?
LJ: My dirt bike role models would have to be Malcolm Smith (whom I've met), Dee Ann Wood (a very good friend of mine and Kawasaki factory motocrosser), Bert Reynolds (we used to ride KTMs together many moons ago), my dad (who taught me all of my technical basics which have come in handy more often than not), and Pete Langford (who's been my brother and riding partner since before his son was born some 11 years ago).
Shannon: Of course I do, but they probably don't think that they play that much of a role in the way that I ride. Danny Oznick Jr. is a person that I owe a lot of my success to. So I really look up to him.
Taz: Hazen Smith is one of my role models. He has taught me a lot since I've known him. I love to ride with him. He may not be the fastest but in my eyes he's the best. I wish I could ride as consistent as he does and not crash. He hardly ever crashes.
Q: Do you have any sponsors?
LJ: My sponsors are my dad, Mike Boyer; and Joe Rafael/Cycle Suspension.
Shannon: Moose, Two Wheel World, Pro-Action, and Scott goggles.
Taz: Thor, Action PowerSports, FMF and Tex-MX.
Q: Feel free to throw in your general comments as well.
LJ: I've enjoyed this opportunity to share my "history" of the ladies' classes and my experiences in the club. Some of my best memories and experiences have come from racing cross country and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've tried to "retire" several times but keep coming back for more. Ride on!!!!!!!
Shannon: I love racing and I love it when I'm on top of the game!
