Women's cycling: Equal work, unequal pay

In the documentary "Half the Road" there's a shot of cyclist Kristin Armstrong crashing in the middle of making a turn.

It's clear by the look on Armstrong's face as she writhes on the pavement that her pain and disappointment is as real as any other athlete who suffers a career-altering injury.

But like other female cyclists Armstrong, an Olympic gold medalist, doesn't have the same opportunities as men in her sport despite similar sacrifices and accomplishments as top male competitors.

That's because pay for female professional cyclists still lags behind that of men, despite the fact women have been competing at the Olympic level since 1984.

Filmmaker Kathryn Bertine says it's just one example of a moment in the film that highlights the unfairness of the pay and opportunity discrepancy.

"To think cycling is still so far behind is appalling," Bertine said. "The audience now sees that. When they watch 'Half the Road and get a sense that the good old boys network ... has not changed tremendously, the audience doesn't let that go."

Bertine will be in Reno Wednesday night for a screening of the film and discussion about women's cycling. Proceeds from the event will go to Bike Like a Girl cycling camps.

It's timed to coincide with the upcoming AMGEN Tour of California stage race which is in South Lake Tahoe on May 9.

Others on hand for the discussion include Inga Thompson, a Reno native, Olympian, U.S. national champion and world championship medalist; professional cyclist and founding member of the Women's Cycling Association Robin Farina; Alison Tetrick, another WCA founding member and professional cyclist and Julie Young, a professional cyclist and coach.

Bertine, 39, is an author and athlete. In addition to making "Half the Road" with Kevin Tokstad, she has written non-fiction books and journalism. She's also a professional cyclist, former Division One college rower and a former professional ice skater.

Her cycling film is aimed not only at highlighting the problem of pay discrepancies, it's meant to take viewers inside the world of cycling.

"The sport is at such a level it really is interesting and fascinating to watch," she said. "At the moment we race shorter distances, we have feistier, more aggressive, faster racing often."

Bertine said there have been improvements in recent years with major races in California, Colorado and Utah expanding their opportunities for women. But the Tour de France, cycling's premier event, still doesn't have equal competitive opportunities for women and media coverage of female cycling still lags.

She's hopeful change will come from work like hers that highlights the problem and others in the sport who understand women are not only working just as hard as men in competition, they're supporting the sport with their money as a major growth opportunity for the cycling industry.

"That's where the change comes from," she said. "We want women to feel included in this sport because there is a place for them."

If you go:

What: Screening of female cycling documentary "Half the Road" and discussion with filmmaker and professional women cyclists

When: Wednesday, May 6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Tuscan Ballroom, Peppermill Resort Hotel, 2707 S. Virginia Street

Cost: $10 (proceeds benefit Bike Like a Girl cycling camps