Looking Forward: Mid-Atlantic Ladies' Night at Von Hof Cycles

Last night, we had an amazing group of women from across the Mid-Atlantic gather at Von Hof Cycles, who were the first to get a sneak peek of something special that we are working on for early 2016.

The food, wine, beer and women's race footage were fun, but we hardly needed those as an ice-breaker. Many who came were introducing themselves to each other for the first time, and the diversity was amazing with elite-level racers, bike mechanics, team captains, and casual riders. The biggest connection was that everyone was a workingwoman cyclist.

STACEY BARBOSSA AND KATHRYN CUMMING GIVING A GOOD RECAP OF THE SEASON'S RACES.

Delving into things as technical as geometry and parts spec'ing, while also examining the joys of particular bikes and how companies positively and negatively market their products, we covered a lot of ground, and thankfully, very few ideas were universally agreed upon.

By the night's end, one of the best surprises wasn't about us, but the people who came and what they are doing for their local communities. Many in the Mid-Atlantic know that Stacey Barbossa of Colavita Racing is a top-notch cyclocrosser and mountain bike racer, but we also learned that she works with Hilltop Cycles with burgeoning riders, showing them the fundamentals to switching gears on a road bike and building fitness.

VON HOF CO-OWNER DIANA PARMER LISTENED TO PLENTY OF FEEDBACK WHILE SHARING THE VISION FOR NEXT YEAR.

The presence of Philadelphia's Team Laser Cats was a special treat as well. Over the last year, they have exploded on to the cycling scene, and have grown a community of women who look to try all kinds of riding and racing. One of their most successful programs involves a partnership with cyclocrosser Arley Kemmerer, where they own a used cyclocross bike that is lent to a new rider who wants to try that sport. The cost is nothing more than writing about the experience, and we've made good use of the morning by enjoying plenty of these different blogs by women in the area.