Post by LucyW on Oct 23, 2014 19:08:44 GMT
I was given, what I thought was an unwanted push to time trial this year by my husband Justin which resulted to a very enjoyable experience.
In September 2013 I did a 'Come and Try' 5.5 mile TT organised by VC Sevale of which I came 1st Lady Novice that primed Justin to get me to TT in 2014. Over the winter he brought me a new road bike and had my Pinarello converted back into a TT bike for the new 2014 season.
March 2014 he entered me into my first competative Open TT - a local course (K46/10 Severn Stoke). WFCRC arrived at the event in full force with a good number of riders that got the club noticed. I was very nervous not knowing what the agenda was and what to expect. I was gladly coached by Justin and Paul Gibson (who nagged me) and sucessfully rode my first TT. My time was 26:20 and I came placed 56th out of 68 riders but came away with 2nd Women's prize.
Justin then entered me to every open TT that he entered and we rode club TT's within the week. We rode the majority of Midlands courses and my times improved on nearly every event.
I also entered into the Midlands Womens Time Trial Series organised by Ruth Eyles. This was a series specifically for women and novices to encourgage the number of women to compete in TT's. I was joined by fellow WFCRC member Claire Turner who was a complete novice in the series. Claire rode 4 out of 7 events and I rode 6 and we both finished the series with great results. I finished 4th 'Overall' and Claire came 2nd place in the 'Best Improver' and 6th place in the 'Novice' catagories.
mwtts.org.uk/overall-2014
I rode a total of 15 Open Midlands events and managed to achieve 3rd Cat and I am currently ranked 5th in the CTT Midland DC Rankings. My fastest TT resulted with the time of 23:26 on the R17/10 at Abergavenny.
rankings.midlanddc.org.uk/
I am not writing this to brag about my achievements I am writing this to encourage our lady members to think further than our club rides. I only starting riding with Justin for weight loss 2 years ago and have now developed a love for riding and racing. I have met a lot of men and women from different clubs who encourage and support my riding however it would be great to have a larger number of women competing for WFCRC. We have a number of strong male riders competing in TT's and crit/road races but we need to strengthen our numbers of women racers.
Over the winter set your goal to race and compete in 2015. Women riding and racing is increasing and there are a number of races and results for women only so you aren't always compared and competing against men.
2 years ago I would never have thought I would have been riding or achieving the results that I have done. Please think about having a go and set yourself a goal to compete. It is very satisfying (sometimes better than a cafe stop!).
I am always available to chat if you have any doubts.
In September 2013 I did a 'Come and Try' 5.5 mile TT organised by VC Sevale of which I came 1st Lady Novice that primed Justin to get me to TT in 2014. Over the winter he brought me a new road bike and had my Pinarello converted back into a TT bike for the new 2014 season.
March 2014 he entered me into my first competative Open TT - a local course (K46/10 Severn Stoke). WFCRC arrived at the event in full force with a good number of riders that got the club noticed. I was very nervous not knowing what the agenda was and what to expect. I was gladly coached by Justin and Paul Gibson (who nagged me) and sucessfully rode my first TT. My time was 26:20 and I came placed 56th out of 68 riders but came away with 2nd Women's prize.
Justin then entered me to every open TT that he entered and we rode club TT's within the week. We rode the majority of Midlands courses and my times improved on nearly every event.
I also entered into the Midlands Womens Time Trial Series organised by Ruth Eyles. This was a series specifically for women and novices to encourgage the number of women to compete in TT's. I was joined by fellow WFCRC member Claire Turner who was a complete novice in the series. Claire rode 4 out of 7 events and I rode 6 and we both finished the series with great results. I finished 4th 'Overall' and Claire came 2nd place in the 'Best Improver' and 6th place in the 'Novice' catagories.
mwtts.org.uk/overall-2014
I rode a total of 15 Open Midlands events and managed to achieve 3rd Cat and I am currently ranked 5th in the CTT Midland DC Rankings. My fastest TT resulted with the time of 23:26 on the R17/10 at Abergavenny.
rankings.midlanddc.org.uk/
I am not writing this to brag about my achievements I am writing this to encourage our lady members to think further than our club rides. I only starting riding with Justin for weight loss 2 years ago and have now developed a love for riding and racing. I have met a lot of men and women from different clubs who encourage and support my riding however it would be great to have a larger number of women competing for WFCRC. We have a number of strong male riders competing in TT's and crit/road races but we need to strengthen our numbers of women racers.
Over the winter set your goal to race and compete in 2015. Women riding and racing is increasing and there are a number of races and results for women only so you aren't always compared and competing against men.
2 years ago I would never have thought I would have been riding or achieving the results that I have done. Please think about having a go and set yourself a goal to compete. It is very satisfying (sometimes better than a cafe stop!).
I am always available to chat if you have any doubts.
Well done all.