female momentum

April Wooten-Glenn remembers what it was like to be a new female cyclist lost in a sea of testosterone-filled, mostly male-dominated group rides, and she has played an important role in creating GS élan. Together with marketing strategist, Bill Nicholson of Nicholson Consulting, she helped concept and name the group, while Charles Lyle of Copia Design crafted the logo. The 'GS' in GS élan stands for Greenville Spinners. Élan is a French word meaning momentum, spirit, vigor, panache or passion.

GS élan was created by an innovative collection of passionate women cyclists in the Upstate that recognized the potential in a female only cycling group. There is no special membership required apart from the normal Greenville Spinners Club membership. All female Greenville Spinners members are automatically also members of GS élan. That means that GS élan is already more than 250 women strong.

It's not a separate club, but rather an effective opportunity for women to network and learn from other women that share their interest in bicycling. "Many women have told us that they are intimidated by the regular mixed gender groups that meet around our area," explains Mills. "They specifically asked us for opportunities to mingle and ride with other women."

The newly formed group encourages women to ride by offering mentoring, group rides, and incentive programs. They have designed strategies to motivate women to use their bikes for both fitness and as a mode of transportation. The group also educates women on how to share the road safely by offering skills clinics and teaching proper cycling etiquette and laws. More long term, GS élan will strive to assist with initiatives that improve the Upstate environment for present and future cyclists. With the growth of the sport and the increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles, women's cycling is growing faster than ever in the Upstate. In an effort to keep up with this expansion and help build and develop this increasing participation in the sport by women, the Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club has created GS élan Women's Cycling. GS élan will be a low pressure way for woman of all ability levels to learn about and participate in bicycle riding without all the added pressure and potential intimidation that can be present on a mixed gender group ride.

"GS élan came from a desire to bring together all female cyclists, no matter what age or athletic ability," says Caroline Mills, Greenville Spinners Member and one of the visionaries behind the new women's cycling group. "We see so many women entering the sport of cycling and we want to help them learn new skills, meet other women and have fun on bikes. We also want to do it in an environment that is less intimidating and more inviting."

Not only does the female-only format reduce intimidation and promote participation, but it also allows women to get answers to more delicate questions. In addition to learning how to eat right, shift gears and handle their bike, they can comfortably get feedback on topics like women's specific equipment, apparel and health issues. These are important subjects, and this relaxed atmosphere is one of the group's goals.Through their group meetings, rides and other activities, experienced female cyclists will seek to educate and motivate GS élan group members as they pursue the social, physical, and environmental benefits that cycling brings.

Some of the common themes among the women involved are sisterhood, healthy lifestyles, motivation and education. The women of GS élan want to share their passion for cycling with anyone that is interested. They are doing this through women's group rides throughout the week. GS élan has the support of all the female racing teams in the Upstate and they are all playing an important role where the rubber meets the road.

GS élan rides are now being hosted several days a week at various locations around the area. GS élan rides leave from Ride on Bicycles on Woodruff Road every Wednesday night at 6pm. Thursday nights at 6pm, GS élan Women's Cycling rolls out of Furman University near the campus chapel. Women seeking a Saturday morning spin can meet at Carolina Triathlon in downtown Greenville at 9am. All these rides welcome riders of any ability level and they pedal with a no woman left behind policy.

The list of GS élan activities and rides is growing all the time, as more and more women get involved in the group. There are plans for mother's-morning-out rides, skills clinics and many other social activities off the bike. The group will also offer members an official GS élan custom jersey manufactured by Hincapie Sportswear.

If you'd like to get involved with this great new initiative, visit the GS élan Women's Cycling section of www.GreenvilleSpinners.org or www.Facebook.com/GSelanCycling.