EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
The inaugural River City Bicycle Classic is this Saturday.
Many people are happy about the national race coming to Evansville, but one all-women's team is particularly excited.
Caron Leader used the morning to train for the big race with her husband.
"We're just doing a light recovery spin. Probably an hour, hour and a half just a nice leisurely ride," says Leader.
An hour is considered leisurely for Caron, who can ride up to 15 hours or more on a busy training week.
This Saturday, Caron will be racing with a team of six other women: Laura Bohler, Eileen Johnston, Shannon Titzer, Diana Holland, and Colette Loehrlein.
"We have the first women's team in Evansville, so it's unique to our community," says Leader.
Caron says about 200 cyclists will race on Saturday, but of those, she estimates only about 40 will be women.
"Women's bike racing is a growing sport. We hope people will come down to see them," says Donna Leader, who is Caron's mother, and is also the director of the race.
Donna says organizers hope it will become one of the major sports events in the community.
Caron's team has raced in cities across the entire country, but this is the first time they'll get to do it in their hometown.
"It's great to have it in our own back yard for so many reasons. Having a little bit of a hometown advantage, knowing the course better," says Caron.
Both women hope tomorrow's race will encourage more women to try to sport in the future.
"I think there's no doubt. Once women in Evansville and the Tri-State area see the race tomorrow, they're going to be excited and want to come out," says Donna.
The women will race at about 11 a.m. Saturday.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
