Erin Alders, Cycling - Her Story on The Nevada City Classic

Hi. I'm SBS Personality Erin Alders, and welcome to my blog column. Here, I focus on women's olympic sports, sports events, and what I do: cycling

The Nevada City Classic is a bike race that deserves attention. It was created in 1960 by Charlie Allert, a lithography print shop owner and bike enthusiast. Also a bike racer, he envisioned Nevada City to have the potential to be a great course and wonderful setting.

The first professional women's race began four years after the men's, and both pro and amateur cyclists continue to compete today, making the Nevada City Classic the 2nd oldest bike race in the country.

The 1.1 mile loop cuts through historic downtown Nevada City, climbing past homes dating back to the Victorian Era, and descending quickly by commercial buildings reminiscent of the Gold Rush.

The event takes place every Father's Day weekend, attracting large crowds, (once up to 30,000 people), the circuit of regional racers, as well as some of the top racers in the history of cycling.

Racers such as: Connie Carpenter, Liz Chapman, Karen Kurrek-Brems, Rebecca Twigg, Katrin Tobin-Paulin, and Inga Thompson. And for the men: Greg LeMond, Chris McGovern, Lance Armstrong, Tyler Hamilton, and Ben & Andy Jacques-Maynes.

Among the women mentioned above include: National Champions, World Champions, Olympians, and winners of the HP Women's Challenge.

The Nevada City Classic was considered the #1 women's race in the country. However, attendance and corporate sponsorship has suffered due to the HP Women's Challenge in Idaho, formerly the largest International women's stage race in the country. Sadly, Hewlett Packard announced in 2002 that it will not extend its title sponsorship of the Women's Challenge, and the event has been cancelled.

Perhaps, this setback will be an opportunity for another prestigious event to step up, and support women's cycling. Furthermore, maybe this will also be an opportunity for the Nevada City Classic to redeem its reputation in women's racing, and attract some of the Top Women in cycling once more.

Up until now, a local man or woman has never won the race. I hope to be the first woman to change the trend.

November 14, 2003 by ErinSBS | Email Article |

June 13, 2004 by Online Casinos with Out-of-the

I wonder what is not being done to market them properly. This , I think, is where some kind of input from other pro cyclists is helpful. Or perhaps some kind of industry study. Hmm....

December 30, 2003 by Zennie

They are 'invisible' because they are not represented in the media as well as they should be.

December 29, 2003 by Erin Alders

Thanks Erin, It seems like there's an "underground" of women cyclist; that should not be the case in my view. I wonder why this is the state of affairs? In other words, what's the best way to elevate their visibility and why is it that they're almost "invisible?"

December 14, 2003 by Zennie

Liz Chapman was National Champion twice in cyclocross, and has also ridden in the Women's Tour de France. Rebecca Twigg won the first three HP Women's Challenge Events, from 1984-86. She is six time World Champion, with 19 career senior National Titles. In 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1993, and 1995, Rebecca was the winner of the women's 3km Pursuit World Championships. Katrin Tobin-Paulin was the winner of the 1987 and 1988 HP Women's Challenge. Inga Thompson was the winner in the 1990 HP Women's Challenge, and is a three time Olympian in cycling. Karen Kurrek-Brems won the World Champion Time Trial in 1994. She is also an Olympian. Connie Carpenter-Phinney focused in cycling and speed skating. She won the National Road and Pursuit Championships in 1976, 1977, and 1979. In 1981, she won the National Road and Two Points Championships. Connie was the National Points Champion in 1982, as well as the Criterium National Champion in 1982 and 1983. In 1983, she set a World Record of 3:49:53 when winning the World Pursuit Championships. The following year, she became the first U.S. Cyclist since 1912 to win an Olympic Medal.

December 13, 2003 by Anonymous

Hi Erin, I'd like to know more about the women you mentioned: Connie Carpenter, Liz Chapman, Karen Kurrek-Brems, Rebecca Twigg, Katrin Tobin-Paulin, and Inga Thompson. I've heard of Greg LeMond, but the women's names don't ring bells. Can you tell me, and everyone else who may not be familar with Women's Cycling, about what they've done? Thanks, Zennie

November 18, 2003 by Zennie

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