Northern California Women’s series announced

Bay Area Women’s Cycling (BAWC) has announced its fourth annual Northern California Women's Racing Series sponsored by the Northern California Nevada Cycling Association. This year, BAWC has added a team competition in addition to its usual individual competition in an effort to promote teamwork in racing.

The Racing Series is a points series for female road bicycle racers in categories four and three (beginner and intermediate). It runs from April to September, with prizes awarded to the top ten individuals and top three teams - after the midpoint and final races. The BAWC has also announced extra prizes to the purse at each race. All 12 of the races on the 2005 schedule have separate races and/or placings for the Category four and three women and girls.

"There has been a dramatic increase in women and girls participating in our racing series; an increase of about 125 percent from 2001 to 2004," said Brooke Kuhn, founder of BAWC. "Plus, the number of women and girls that the Racing Series brings to the races encourages promoters to separate the race categories at the races, which the racers like."

Another feature of the Series is that the riders do not need to register in order to participate. "Anyone who competes in any of the races in the series automatically accumulates points for the individual competition," added Kuhn. "Teams must have at least two racers present, and one teammate must place in the top 3, for the team to earn points in the team competition. After the midpoint and final races, BAWC notifies all women and girls of their standings and their prize eligibility."

This year’s Racing Series will include the following races:

April 30: Madera Criterium, Madera, CA
May 14: Presidio Criterium, San Francisco, CA
May 21: Kern County Road Race #1, Bakersfield, CA
June 4: ICCC Dash for Cash, Pleasanton, CA
June 18: College Circuit, CA
June 25: Pescadero Road Race, Pescadero, CA
July 16: Livermore Hills Road Race, Livermore, CA
July 24: Albany Criterium, Albany, CA
August 7: Timpani Criterium, Santa Clara, CA
August 20: Winters Road Race, Winters, CA
August 27: San Ardo Road Race, San Ardo, CA
September 11: Mt. Tam Hill Climb, Stinson Beach, CA

Riders can log on to www.BAWcycling.com or www.ncnca.com to check their standings in the series.