final series standings, PIR stxc 2011

Final series standings in the Womens' Singlespeed category:

Order Name Age Team 6/6 6/13 6/20 6/27 7/11 7/18 7/25 8/1 Total Worst Best 7
1 Susan Sherman 42 Showers Pass 30 30 30 30 0 25 25 30 200 0 200
2 Shawn Postera 37 (independent) 22 19 22 22 30 17 17 17 166 17 149
3 Kristin Bott 30 Team Slow 19 17 19 19 19 15 0 15 123 0 123
4 Beth Hamon 48 Team Slow 17 15 17 17 0 13 15 13 107 0 107
5 Dani Dance 39 River City 0 25 25 25 0 0 0 25 100 0 100
6 Julie Kramer 40 Team S+M 0 0 0 0 22 19 19 19 79 0 79
7 Lisa Belair 44 Team S+M 0 0 0 0 0 22 22 22 66 0 66
8 A. Christiansen 26 Ironclad 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 30

(I've listed the top eight spots. (there were four other racers but none raced more than a couple of times, and/or in some cases switched categories early in the series.)

The category did not grow this year and in fact it shrank a little, down to 12 racers from 15. Of those 15, at least three switched to other categories (usually their Masters' age group), and switched to racing on a geared bike, early in the series.
If I had successfully completed every race, my worst score might still have been tossed out but what was left might have been enough for me to tie for third or place third outright. Obviously, my improvement from fifth to fourth overall had at least something to do with me and my ability to finish more races.
After talking with Loraine at the OBRA championships, it's clear to me that most women opt out of singlespeed (or never try it at all) in part because of the effects of aging, particularly on the knees. Loraine showed me scars from multiple knee surgeries and told me she was anticipating yet another one. And she's a little younger than me. Sharon (who raced the category once before switching to her age group) told me that the demands of singlespeed -- particularly the stress on the core and lower back -- exacerbated her back issues and forced her to give up singlespeeding. (She's selling her singlespeed bike so it's a pretty permanent decision.)
I've given geared mountain bikes some thought, and after assessing my body and my improved strength, I think I'm good for another year or two before I have to make that choice. So I remain committed to singlespeed racing for the next year at least.