I think one issue might be that women are only a small percentage of the riding population, and there aren't as many super competitive women as there are men. I rode the Mulholland Challenge today, and there were some good climbing women there, including Dorothy Wong, a road, cyclocross and singlespeed racer. She chatted with me for a few miles, but vanished as soon as the climbing started. She stayed with the faster guys throughout the ride, or at least I heard. I know some other women who are great climbers, including 1 who is over 50 and kicks butt on double centuries. Don't forget Seana Hogan, who I think still hold the record for S.F. to L.A. for either gender.