How/why I got into cycling:
We did the otago rail trail and loved it. The rest is history :)
My most memorable cycling experience:
A puncture during 1st the grape ride......
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
To learn to bunch ride safely
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
Jelly beans
My favourite local ride:
Short bays
When I'm not riding I'm... skiing at Cheeseman. .....and why dont I see you there :)
A useful cycling tip:
It helps to check the tyres B4 you leave home :)
Member Profiles
Deb
Jo
How/why I got into cycling:
It's the lycra! that's why!
Being a country girl brought up in a country town, you always used your bike to get around.
In 2009 I meet a lady called Susie, she is the one to blame for getting me involved with Al and Aline. My thought was I had a bike that needed to be used, a great way to meet new people, see new places, get fresh air and exercise. From not even having a bike pump or tyre levers in the beginning, am now the owner of a Trek road bike with a spare tube, levers and yes a bike pump and have clocked up a few km's since then!
My most memorable cycling experience:
Really enjoyed completing my first event (harbour bays ride) on a hybrid bike, however completing the 101km Grape Ride in March 2010 on my new road bike was even better, and then surprise surprise was chosen for being one of the virgin grape crushers - crushing 3 tonne of pinot noir grapes with a bunch of girls from The Bike Challenge!Awesome!
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
Sounded like a good idea!
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
Jet Planes!
My favourite local ride:
Tai Tapu ride and the view around Governer's Bay.....
When I'm not riding I'm... thinking where to go next time for a coffee!
A useful cycling tip:
Always make sure your cell phone is charged, on silent, and you have put an 'ICE' in your contacts - In Case Of Emergency
Lyonal
How/why I got into cycling:
Through a group of friends at the pub, started on mountain bikes and then got entered into the Armstrong Around the Bay's (by a so called friend) 3 week's out. We all got the bug, by that Christmas, we all had road bikes. We have been cycling since 2006 Sponsored by Totalspan.
My most memorable cycling experience:
Completing the Taupo race with over 10,000 riders.
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
Got pressured from the friend above to join and try alernative training (1st time) enjoying all the sweat.
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
Bananas and energy bars
My favourite local ride:
Short bays
When I'm not riding I'm... relaxing
A useful cycling tip:
Keep turning those wheels.
Nick
How/why I got into cycling:
Read 'it's not about the bike' and thought it would be good to get into cycling as running was getting a bit repetitive.
My most memorable cycling experience:
Any crash is pretty memorable (for the wrong reasons) but you learn from your mistakes and hopefully it improves you as a rider
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
Saw the poster for the first Bike Challenge after getting my first bike and knew I had a bit to learn so thought why not?
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
One Square Meal
My favourite local ride:
Figure 8
When I'm not riding I'm... thinking about how I can make cycling my full time occupation so I don't have to do what I'll actually be doing, which is work.
A useful cycling tip:
A couple of attacks on a hill will crack anyone!
Sharyn
How/why I got into cycling:
Fitness - I use to play soccer and then I moved onto triathlons. I wasn't very good at running but loved biking.
My most memorable cycling experience:
Finishing my first race Le Race. I only trained a couple of times a week for two and a half months. It was one of the hardest things I have done. Comming across the line I was sooooo elated and buggered.
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
To find people to ride with. I had 2 training partners, one has given up for a while and the other has moved to Auckland. Am training for the Taupo ride in November, hope I havn't bitten off more than I can chew.
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
Dried apricots and raisins
My favourite local ride:
From Casebrook out behind the airport through to marshes road to Halswell over downs up hackthorne across sumit down into sumner. COFFEE. Then back to Casebrook
When I'm not riding I'm... spending time with my grandson Marshall, he is 6 and loves to cycle. Going to spin. and working
A useful cycling tip:
Always carry paper money. It comes in very handy if you are in the middle of nowhere if your tyre blows out. Put new tube in then put the paper money between the tube and where the tyre has blowen out. I have managed 17 km and the note was still holding, just. It had a few holes in it but it was still fine to buy coffee.
Susie
How/why I got into cycling:
I signed up to the first Bike Challenge after seeing a flier at a spin class.
My most memorable cycling experience:
That would have to be finishing Long Bays for the first time.
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
To be part of a great supportive Bike Challenge community. Thanks Al and Aline.
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
JET PLANES!
My favourite local ride:
Short Bays.
When I'm not riding I'm... relaxing.
A useful cycling tip:
It is possible to bike VERY slowly uphill
Wendy
How/why I got into cycling:
Spur of the moment I brought a mountain bike about 3 years ago for fitness. This inspired me to do the "Real Women's" duathlons. Man did I get frustratred doing the ride sectioin on a MTB. So next purchase was my first roady and next event Sarah Ulmer's 40km ride at Spencerville.The rest is history.
My most memorable cycling experience:
Until recently I would have said completing the whole course of Long Bays Harbour Ride in Dec '08 as initially I intended to enter as a team event with me riding the flats and friend Maree the hills. This has now been outdone by my latest accomplishment this July...... A 350km 3 day fund raiser from Townsville to Cairns. Awesome ride, comraderie and awesome fun. I am still buzzing.
Why I joined the Bike Challenge community:
To learn and improve on my cycling/bunch riding and meet like minded cyclists. Oh and to master those damm hills....... I can do them now but very slow on the downhill. Now I know why they call one hill the "Bastard".
My favourite food to eat on a ride:
That is easy, can't go past EM's chocolate Power Cookie Bars and the odd jelly bean. For the longer rides I carry "Peak Fuel" and I never go far without a banana.
My favourite local ride:
I can't believe I am saying this but it is so nice up round the summit and for me a huge challenge (and sense of achievement to get back down). The gorges is a lovely scenic ride also. Roll on summer for more "Trekking" with the lycra crowd.
When I'm not riding I'm... usually plotting, scheming and planning my next ride or event. With a coffee thrown in somewhere. You will either see me on my bike or my other love.. photography.
A useful cycling tip:
Don't believe the end is just round the corner. (Thanks Murray, last time I ride to Culverden with you). If you see a leaning post 3/4 way up Gebbes...... it has my name on it. Great for rest mid hill climb.
