Cycling
The next big ride I have coming up is the Rapha Prestige in Merricks this April.
On the 17th April there will be a premiere women's only event hosted by Bicycle Networks called The RACV Ascent. The concept is to initiate and grow an event where women will be able to enjoy and flourish. The 50/50 target is to get parity of gender for entries in their larger events.
I've been asked to be a ride leader and ambassador for RACV Bike Assist. The BEST story I have heard to date about Bike Assist was from a lady in her 70's. She said that when the guy arrived to her call out he was a little perplexed as to why she had called from her home. The problem was she had bought new tyres and could not get them onto the rims - so couldn't go out cycling. After a small chuckle he managed to pop them on for her (the last part can be quite difficult to do) and she was out the door in no time!
It was great to realise how many of the ladies in that shot are still involved at some level (one of them even turning PRO), however I feel a little burnt and burnt out by the racing scene. This is pretty hard to admit after racing most weekends for the last 4-5 years. Clawing my way to the top to see what it really is - is not desirable to me any more. I am a little relieved that there are still some events that spark some interest for me, and I'm hoping that I can still re-ignite and share with other women all the good stuff that I've gathered along the way.
Stuck in the Rutt
So the UCI Grand Fondo champs qualifier have been and run and won. Things haven't worked out to get back over to Perth, so that is off the cards this year. That has taken a hit to my enthusiasm a bit, so I've been keen to do some local events. Here is what I have lined up.The next big ride I have coming up is the Rapha Prestige in Merricks this April.
The Rapha Prestige is not a race; it’s an unsupported and unmarshalled adventure across stunning terrain, and designed to bring out the camaraderie and suffering of road riding.I've had an opportunity to do a little riding in the area over the summer and it will be a BIG day out no doubt with the rolling hilly terrain.
We need to form teams of 4 women and traverse a 100km+ of gravel, traffic, hills and end up in the magic of the lovely wineries of the peninsula for a lunch to remember.
On the 17th April there will be a premiere women's only event hosted by Bicycle Networks called The RACV Ascent. The concept is to initiate and grow an event where women will be able to enjoy and flourish. The 50/50 target is to get parity of gender for entries in their larger events.
I've been asked to be a ride leader and ambassador for RACV Bike Assist. The BEST story I have heard to date about Bike Assist was from a lady in her 70's. She said that when the guy arrived to her call out he was a little perplexed as to why she had called from her home. The problem was she had bought new tyres and could not get them onto the rims - so couldn't go out cycling. After a small chuckle he managed to pop them on for her (the last part can be quite difficult to do) and she was out the door in no time!
There are 2 ride options of 65 and 100km and both are pretty good. I've been out to do course recon and had forgotten how lovely it really is out in the Dandenong Ranges. The fact they have closed the 1 in 20 will be a BIG draw card, the remainder of the ride will be partial road closures so it will be nice and safe. I really am looking forward to seeing how it comes together and how they finish it off.
The concept I've heard is a festival atmosphere at the end with BBQ and chill out zone at Cherry Hill Orchards and I am pretty keen to try out the cherry cider that they have been brewing!
It's also been pretty cool to see cycling come along a bit more for women. Here is a post I put up last week on Facebook.
The concept I've heard is a festival atmosphere at the end with BBQ and chill out zone at Cherry Hill Orchards and I am pretty keen to try out the cherry cider that they have been brewing!
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| Tara and I on Flat Rock Road hosting a training ride with Fondo |
In 2012 I setup my first organised ride for women only under the Kosdown Cycling team banner. I had a ride leader from...
Posted by Veronica Micich on Friday, March 4, 2016
It was great to realise how many of the ladies in that shot are still involved at some level (one of them even turning PRO), however I feel a little burnt and burnt out by the racing scene. This is pretty hard to admit after racing most weekends for the last 4-5 years. Clawing my way to the top to see what it really is - is not desirable to me any more. I am a little relieved that there are still some events that spark some interest for me, and I'm hoping that I can still re-ignite and share with other women all the good stuff that I've gathered along the way.
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| The very top of Mt William. No words for this effort - 20th April 2014 |
