Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:58 pm
Cyclosportif - Girls on Speed Ride Report
We were greeted by not so pleasant weather for the start of the first ride of the Cyclosportif series, despite it being forecast for 23 degrees and sunny…more like 10 and raining! Luckily this provided a natural meeting point for all the women in the “Girls on Speed” team – under the verandah outside the toilet! Despite us not all having met before, it wasn’t long until the serious discussion of ride rules had to take place.
1/ Do not drop your captain. I decided to wear the only number required so that they had no choice but to ride with me.
2/ Your sausage & drink eligibility will be assessed over the duration of the ride ahead. I was the holder of the “goodies” tickets so this was sure to keep everyone in line!
The skies had cleared in time for the start and there were 8 of us lined up at the start ready to tackle the 44km course at Williamstown, including two jaunts up Whispering Wall. We set off how any race should start – downhill. Wheee! We had a very experienced group of riders and quickly settled into a formation that saw us hit some cracking speeds on the way to Lyndoch thanks to some strong turns by Gemma Kernich We overtook our first team in the first 5km or so, which although its not a race it is still also nice to know you are faster than someone! Once through Lyndoch the rolling section of the course was upon us and yours truly along with Lee-Anne Fleming had some special help from some awesome team mates! I still have no idea how Tara Ross (who has not ridden for a long long time) could manage to push me up a hill AND talk at the same time. Look out for when she does do some riding!!
Pushed on through Cockatoo Valley and ended up at Whispering Wall. Everyone made it up (yes, more pushing – go team, go!) and recovered while making our way through to complete lap 1. There were comments from some of needing more speed etc, and I was personally celebrating making it halfway!!
Lap 2 was much the same as the first. Big efforts on the flat section from Amanda Steele, Lisa Smith, Gemma Kernich and Tara Ross (whats this about her not being fit again??). We were passed on the flat section of the course by BarnDogg look alikes only to have them decide once they passed us to slow down, so we were busy twiddling our thumbs being the speed demons that we are! Once again Whispering Wall was upon us, and we all made it up again (some quicker than others ☺) Many thanks to Kellie Hards for her words of encouragement for the ones towards the rear of the group.
We crossed the line in stylish fashion and proceeded to head straight for the bakery for post-race sustenance. Some had pre-planned and put money in their pocket before the race, thus having less waiting time for coffee and cake goodness! A quick debrief of the ride that was, and we were all happy with how things went! I decided that everyone had earnt their 2 sausages and drink for their efforts, then headed down to the presentation area after demolishing half the bakery.
Our team won fastest female team – not sure on the time yet but it will probably blind you all it was so speedy! It was a great ride with a great group of girls and cant wait for the rest of the series!
Our team:
Aimee Alsbury
Amanda Steele
Lisa Smith
Lee-Anne Flemming
Julia Massey
Tara Ross
Kellie Hards
Gemma Kernich
1/ Do not drop your captain. I decided to wear the only number required so that they had no choice but to ride with me.
2/ Your sausage & drink eligibility will be assessed over the duration of the ride ahead. I was the holder of the “goodies” tickets so this was sure to keep everyone in line!
The skies had cleared in time for the start and there were 8 of us lined up at the start ready to tackle the 44km course at Williamstown, including two jaunts up Whispering Wall. We set off how any race should start – downhill. Wheee! We had a very experienced group of riders and quickly settled into a formation that saw us hit some cracking speeds on the way to Lyndoch thanks to some strong turns by Gemma Kernich We overtook our first team in the first 5km or so, which although its not a race it is still also nice to know you are faster than someone! Once through Lyndoch the rolling section of the course was upon us and yours truly along with Lee-Anne Fleming had some special help from some awesome team mates! I still have no idea how Tara Ross (who has not ridden for a long long time) could manage to push me up a hill AND talk at the same time. Look out for when she does do some riding!!
Pushed on through Cockatoo Valley and ended up at Whispering Wall. Everyone made it up (yes, more pushing – go team, go!) and recovered while making our way through to complete lap 1. There were comments from some of needing more speed etc, and I was personally celebrating making it halfway!!
Lap 2 was much the same as the first. Big efforts on the flat section from Amanda Steele, Lisa Smith, Gemma Kernich and Tara Ross (whats this about her not being fit again??). We were passed on the flat section of the course by BarnDogg look alikes only to have them decide once they passed us to slow down, so we were busy twiddling our thumbs being the speed demons that we are! Once again Whispering Wall was upon us, and we all made it up again (some quicker than others ☺) Many thanks to Kellie Hards for her words of encouragement for the ones towards the rear of the group.
We crossed the line in stylish fashion and proceeded to head straight for the bakery for post-race sustenance. Some had pre-planned and put money in their pocket before the race, thus having less waiting time for coffee and cake goodness! A quick debrief of the ride that was, and we were all happy with how things went! I decided that everyone had earnt their 2 sausages and drink for their efforts, then headed down to the presentation area after demolishing half the bakery.
Our team won fastest female team – not sure on the time yet but it will probably blind you all it was so speedy! It was a great ride with a great group of girls and cant wait for the rest of the series!
Our team:
Aimee Alsbury
Amanda Steele
Lisa Smith
Lee-Anne Flemming
Julia Massey
Tara Ross
Kellie Hards
Gemma Kernich
I like to ride my bicycle.
