Tell us a little bit about your role and what is you’d most like to achieve this year?
I’m the Women’s Officer for the 2017/18 season. My role on the board is to continue to deliver on the club’s long term aim of being a ‘constant champion for women’s cycling’. My main goal for this season is to head-up a talented Women’s Committee of dedicated Condors, who are focused on creating participation and training opportunities from entry-level to racing riders.
I want to enable women to get involved and actively contribute to making the Condors the kind of cycling club they want to be a part of. I would sincerely love for ‘Women’s Officer’ to become an unnecessary role in the near future – if I can play a small part in making this happen, I’ll be very happy.
What would you say attracted to you to the Cowley Road Condors in the first place?
My partner (the current Training & Development Officer), Arran Curran, was already a member of the club before I joined, so I benefited from knowing a lot of the Condors socially. I always described myself as a ‘reluctant cyclist’. Before I met Arran, the last time I cycled was in my childhood, and I would never have even thought to get on bike, let alone be part of a cycling club. With Arran’s encouragement, I started commuting on a rusty old bike that my housemate loaned me.
After a lot of sweat and tears, I decided to buy a hybrid on the Cycle Scheme, and quickly realised that I wasn’t unfit or terrible, just an inexperienced cyclist on very old equipment. I started riding my commuting bike on the weekends, and decided if I was going to continue I should get a road bike (another Cycle Scheme gem). This purchase was conveniently timed for me to take part in the Condors’ first round of Ladies Summer Sessions. From my first ride, I was converted, and cycling has become an ever increasing part of my life since.
Describe your absolute favourite moment since joining the club?
I really don’t think I can choose just one! I’ve loved so many weird and wonderful moments. Every single ‘Condors corner’ I have found myself in, or have been cheered from, at cx races, road races, TTs, hill climbs, you name it, has been an absolute joy! Condor supporters are always the loudest, and they really encourage you to do your best (or at least look like you’re putting some effort in each time you pass).
Crap weather rides always make you feel like a badass – wheeling my bike into Peloton with 9 other ladies, after we’d finished chaingang practice in the snow, made me feel pretty damn cool. There’s nothing like sharing an experience of borderline hypothermia to make friends for life. Speaking of which, my first crit race at Dalton this year. Genuinely the coldest I have ever been, but I absolutely loved every second.
So, what’s your main interest outside of cycling? It’s OK to not have any. Cycling rules!
Anyone who knows me could answer this one straight away. I’m a yoga teacher, and yoga is a huge part of my life. I used to be say I was 60% yoga and 40% gin, but cycling has taken the gin spot now, so that’s an improvement all round!
What three words immediately spring to mind when you think about the Condors, or bikes, in general?
- Pink
- Beeline (I haven’t been paid too say that, honest…)
- Damage (his skipping is just too good)
Lastly, which Velominati rule do you fully support and will always abide by?!
Hmm, I think I actively flout many more of these than I support, but, I’m pretty strict on this one (my beard’s patchy at best).
Rule #50 // Facial hair is to be carefully regulated.
No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your name starts with “Marco” and ends with “Pantani”, or if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to kick ass.
#10 is not a rule, it’s a fact:
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Thank you, Becci! If you’d like to learn more about the great work the women’s committee is up to, or wish to get involved in any activities, then do drop Becci an email at [email protected].
The women’s committee have also just published the first Condors Women Newsletter which you can see here.
Also, did you know there’s a dedicate women’s section of the club’s website providing a whole host of information? Here you can find a recently updated Women’s Committee section where you can learn more about who and what’s involved.
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