I have noticed in MTB racing talk of inclusion one category glaringly omitted over the years. And is made even more disturbing when you notice this category being scrubbed as a category in various sports. Which category you ask? The Clydesdale and Athena category.
So first let us give the definition of what this category is. That being racers above a certain weight.
Clydesdale is men above 220lbs
Athena is women above 200lbs
And to give a bit of history this category came about in the early 1990’s first in running and then in triathlon or multi sport. Simple reason this came about was that those who entered races knew they could never compete against those who weighed less than 200 pounds. So created their own way to be included. Creating a way to be included and inclusive decades before it became popular modern idea.
Yet today in a time when we have seen endless discussions of being inclusive in sport and mtb racing this very category is being erased from events. See we have all this talk of athletes can be 240 pounds and be accepted yet if you erase the Clydesdale and Athena as a race category your really not accepting as the very category they can be involved in has been removed.
This matters because in an era of body image talk and such that involves every ethnic group and gender this is a needed category. Because regardless of finances in the end you have to complete the same course regardless of body weight. There is no adaptations made and none asked by athletes in this category beyond the weight factor. And as a Clydesdale I know I have no hope to get close to the athletes who are lighter and the first racers in. But the Clydesdale and Athena category allows us to compete against each other and feel included.
Sadly in recent years some races have removed this category. The Ironman Triathlon races a few years ago has removed the category. While I get the reason for bringing in an eBike or eMTB category as it allows those who need it to be included it is wrong to do that when not having a Clydesdale or Athena category. If a race is to be inclusive it needs both. Why you ask?
In a race in the Clydesdale and Athena category while yes those who can afford the $2000 mtb can. Those who can only afford the 4 year old MTB they bought for $500 can still race because it still comes down to the meat engine aka human power. This is inclusive as you can run what you got and Ihave seen guys on $500 used bikes beat guys on new $2000 bikes. The eMTB category while is good it is not inclusive as one needs more money to be included. Just that alone excludes many. Reality is when you start thinking of battery upgrades and what not the eMTB category alone is only inclusive if you have the correct bank account.
Now to to be transparent yes I got a new $3,000 mtb last year but how I earned that is not healthy. See I was hit by a car and left to die . And bike destroyed while that happened. Reality is that if this hadn't happened would be still racing on the same Chromag Samurai frame bought second hand and for the majority of the build second hand parts. One that is for 26” wheels as well.
And can hear the bike racing trolls nattering in the back about “fat riders” on the course. That is a stereotype used to put down others. In 30 years of sport in Canada just looking at the women’s side have known a few women who could race the Athena Category who where just as fit and strong yet that is the body type they have thanks to genetics. This matters as in the last two years we have had endless talking of inclusion in Ontario bike racing. Well inclusion includes body type and body image. As I write this am reminded exactly why this matters. Back about 2009 at a CX race in Ontario witnessed a faster racer call a woman racer who wasn‘t a skinny racer who would meet Athena Cat requirements. He got upset that she was slower and said “Get out of the way you fat Bitch.” The guys poor wife in tears at her first ever bike race and nearly quit. She did not quit after all of us done racing a prior race supported her and got her to finish.
Reality is bike racing already has an image of exclusion just based on bike costs. And by only allowing a eBike or eMTB category this is aiding in furthering that image as just to get in the door is at least $3000 or more if you want a light eMTB for example. This just becomes an exercise in who has more money to spend for the lighter one, better batteries, and so on. And makes racing less inclusive despite talk of racing needs to be more inclusive.
If mtb racing in Ontario wants to be more inclusive as has been said repetitively. Then keep the categories like Clydesdale and Athena to give those who show up something to work for and something they can achieve. And keep coming back. Because reality is competing as 230 pound rider while getting buried by those who are 190 pounds is demoralizing. And why would anyone want to do it again when your competing against people not like you? Like me you say? Well that is part of the talk of inclusion that have heard about is drawing in people because they see themselves in people at the race. That is why triathlon is so big because thanks to Ironman Hawaii coverage showing not just the athletes under 200 pounds. You see the age groupers who look like everyone else facing the same course. When they look at it they see themselves which gets people to start thinking maybe they can race and take part. To be part of it and included.
After all the talk of being inclusive let‘s not erase the Clydesdale and Athena category at the very time Ontario Bike racing has and is talking about inclusion. If you want to get more out racing then don’t drop the category at your races or you will see these very people stop coming out. Because at a certain point those who would be in this category will not show up and do other kinds of rides where they won’t be demoralized.
The last year and a half has seen a huge number of Ontario‘s population embrace cycling in almost it’s versions. And all with differing body types. This is the moment that Ontario bike racing can be more than just talk of inclusion. Keep the Clydesdale and Athena category so those who are thinking of maybe racing see racers like them and join in.
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