Ladies back on your bike!
Women in sport has certainly been a welcome focus of attention this month with the FIFA Women’s World Cup in action. The event has brought women in sport to the fore - from soccer, to cycling, it has highlighted not only how incredible women’s sport can be, but has also shone the light on many issues women face when it comes to participating in sport.
One group aiming to address challenges women face in sport is Ladies Back on Your Bike, and Bayside Cycling Club which brings women of all ages together to stay healthy and form friendships. The groups will be participating in the 2023 Bass Coast Cycling Challenge, an event renowned for its appeal to female riders for its fun, friendly, welcoming and encouraging spirit.
“Some of our members have completed the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge in previous years and really enjoyed it. So this year we decided to post up the event on our calendar for both of our riding groups and make a weekend of it together. Our ladies enjoy participating in riding events together and with others as a challenge, particularly as it helps them set a goal to train towards achieving one of the ride distances.” Said Narelle Beurle, co-owner of the Ladies Back on Your Bike.
Ladies Back on Your Bike is a Melbourne based ladies bike riding member based organisation with two focused groups, Ladies Back on Your Bike (LBOYB) – bike path riding and Bayside Cycling Club road riding. Riders of all ages and abilities are members of the groups, some on standard bikes, some on e-bikes – like Ros and Mary.
“it has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.” “I just press a button and I catch up to everyone” - Mary Anderson, who bought herself an e-bike on her 74th birthday.
”The e-bike helps me when I need that extra oomph at the end of a 70km ride… in the 18 months I’ve been involved with this group, I’ve hosted 15 social rides.. they are just great fun” - Ros, who has a knee issue, purchased her e-bike when she turned 76.
The group believe charity events like the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge are vital to improving safety on our roads.
“The work that charity events and other bike riding groups are doing to improve safety on our roads is critical particularly as cycling is becoming more and more popular with all ages.
“There is also more traffic on the road these days so having safety infrastructure and signage really helps to improve the riding conditions, and of course education for both riders and drivers. After all we are often sharing roads together, and majority of cyclists are also car drivers too. We just want to enjoy riding, and all get home safely in one piece at the end of the day.”
About Ladies Back on Your Bike and Bayside Cycling Club
LBOYB has three levels based on skill and capability: Bells, Saddles, Wheelies. These groups mean women ride at their ability level …” You can ride hard, or meander and take in the views, with no pressure” said Narelle Beurle, co-owner of the Ladies Back on Your Bike.
“We have a calendar of rides … on bike paths with some back roads, either leader led or social rides led by members available through the year. We also do regional, interstate and overseas trips, such as the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge” She added.
“We also offer private and group lessons to the public .. and many of those ladies who complete lessons end up joining our club.”
Bayside Cycling Club is the road riding group which also has three levels based on pace, capability and endurance: Clears, Gears and Di2.
“We have a qualifying ride that ladies need to complete so we can slot people into the group with similar pace and skill level so they aren’t intimidated or bored. And BCC does rides all over Melbourne and in bayside areas.”
Members of LBOYB and the Bayside Cycling Club are looking forward to taking on the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge.
“Our members really enjoy training for and participating in these type of events. The camaraderie, fun, motivation and support our members get from riding together is so important for both physical and mental health.”
