From a young age, riding was only ever for a purpose, a mode of transport from A to B. I really didn’t understand people who would go road riding for hours or bashing through bush trails just because they could – I thought they were a bit weird. How I wish I’d known then what I know now.
Where it all started
In 1998 I broke my thumb and was unable to do my chosen sports of golf and squash. I was going crazy not exercising. Friends introduced me to my now husband who had a tandem mountain bike, and so both journeys began. We would meet and ride around the river firstly with friends, and then on our own.
I have wonderful memories of the old Fleet Cycles Saturday group ride, literally being a passenger on the back of the tandem. But what I did learn was how to ride in a group, how to draft (and that everyone wanted to draft behind us). I learnt to be patient in the Burke Drive sprint sitting one out one back, noting Tandems are really good for short bursts of speed that need to be strategically timed. On the flat, acceleration is extremely hard to maintain.
Somewhere along the way I acquired my first road bike and when I started a new job in 2001 and my manager found out I was a “cyclist” (hmmm I use the term loosely) we would regularly ride before work at a Zone 2 pace so that we could chat away the worries of the world. Our one rule was if it was raining when we were about to head out it was a brekky and coffee morning, however I do recall returning drowned on many occasions.
When we had our daughter in 2010 we would go riding as a family, she on the wee-ride on hubby’s bike and sometimes we’d take the tandem, attracting lots of commentary from passersby.
How I found the dirt
Fast forward to around 2017 I discovered the KMBC junior rides and so I hit the dirt to accompany our daughter on these rides on my first MTB hardtail. As her interest waned, mine continued to grow, I acquired my first full suspension XC MTB. It had been sitting new in a box for a couple of years and so a bit of rebuilding was required
to modernise it.
Will I fit in?
I really wanted to ride the KMBC social rides, but feared I was not going to be good enough and I wouldn’t know anyone. Then they advertised a women’s ride for beginners – hey that had my name on it.
I had this shiny new bike with all the gear and no idea – enter imposter syndrome! As everyone attests –mountain biking is one of THE MOST inclusive of sports and all it took was showing up on this one day to have the confidence to show up again and again.
What it led to
What riding is now
Riding is my freedom, my energising space, it will keep my future self active and independent.
So now at 56 I’m riding within my means, learning, growing and challenging myself at every opportunity. Experiencing everything I can that I missed out on as a late starter in the sport. Sometimes I think “what the bloody hell are you doing at your age hurtling down this trail, over these rocks – you don’t bounce well at your age”, but when I reach the end of the trail I feel a sense of achievement and pure joy. I dream of riding the big trails, the big jumps and riding warp speed – I know my limits, but I’ll keep pushing towards the dreams until I can ride no more.
My message to my younger self – I wish you didn’t think people who rode for pleasure and not for purpose were weird – go join them and find out how fabulous this weird is.
I love the social aspect of riding and the wonderful friendships I’ve made. The Huck it team are an amazing bunch of diverse women who have no limits and will always show up in your corner with love, support and encouragement. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and supporting my journey.
Hopefully you’ll see me around for many more years to come – riding and coaching. There’s always room for one more on any ride, and I’d love to be out there riding with you – let’s be weird together!
