Checkers And Waterside Cycle Challenge
The Checkers and Waterside cycle challenge was the first league race in the KZN road series. It took place in Newcastle on Sunday the 17 January. Up until the start of my race there was a fine drizzle, not heavy enough to wet you but enough to leave droplets on your glasses and annoy you.
My race had an early start as we went off at 6:40am. The first 14km of my race was on the N11 (the main road in Newcastle), this is just after the turn around point for the 25km race. The 65km then turned off and rode along an almost deserted road that was covered in potholes. The course was a very hilly out and back course.
Petro, one girl in my age group got away at the start, but Sonya, Lauren and I raced each other from the start. As Sonya and Lauren were on the same team they worked together and they tried to get me to blow as soon into the race as possible. Lauren even tried to push me out so I could not sit on Sonya’s wheel.
Fortunately for me none of the tactics worked and I managed to finish less than 5 seconds behind them.
Amashova Cycle Race
Added 21 October 2009
The Amashova cycle race took place on Sunday the 18th of October 2009. There were two distances, the 106km, which started in Pietermartizburg, and the 38km, which started in Hillcrest. Both of the races finished in Durban at the Suncoast Casino.
I rode the 106km race. I started in the + batch which was for u16girls and boys. My start was at 7:20am. The boys started like rockets and I did not keep up. There were 6 u16 girls in my batch.
Fox hill was a killer and I had a hard time breathing up it. The climb seemed to go on forever. I managed to catch my dad half way up as he started one batch (5 min) ahead of me. I rode with him till just after the bottom of Bothas hill.
I came third in the u16 girls in a time of 3hr58min. My time was a bit slower than I wanted but I am happy with it as it is my first 106km race.
The Margate Centenary Road Race
Added 17 September 2009
On Saturday we drove the two and a half hour drive to Margate so that we would not have to get up before the sun for the race as we stayed at the hotel. After booking into the hotel and putting all our things down we talk the short walk to registration that was in the information centre in the town.
On Sunday we woke up at 5:30 and were ready to warm up on our trainers in the hotel room by 6:00. After our 30min warm up we left the hotel and rode around to the start, which was at the front of the hotel. My mom however took the short cut and walked through the hotel. I did the 60km so I could get more points in the league series. On the start line with me there was only one other under 16 girl and that was Candice Parker–Dennison, every one else was either an adult or an under 14 boy.
The race took place on the toll road. WE rode on the unclosed road although there were police at the robots, inter-sections and turns.
We did drive the course on Saturday and in the car it felt flat in some places but on the bike I soon realised that flats were none existent. We climbed most of the race, although there was the odd down hill, but the hardest part of the race for me was the head wind.
My legs felt flat from almost the start. Unfortunately I did let Candice get away so I finished second.
Full Name:Siobhan Walker
Nick Name:N/A
Bikes:I have a specialized Dolce Elite Road Bike and a Kona Kula Lisa MTB bike.
Bike specs:My road bile has a tiagra / 105 group set and my MTB has a XT group set with truvativ cranks, a Fox fork, XTR brake levers, carbon bars and seat post and lots of pink bling.
What do you call your bike:N/A
Why do you ride for Maverick? I ride for Maverick because they are like my family and have been part of my life since I started MTB and they are loyal to me
Why do you ride the bikes you do? I ride the bikes I do because they are good quality and I enjoy the feel of them
Why do you ride bicycles? I ride bikes because it takes my mind off all the stress and helps me to relax
What do you hope to accomplish this year, on and off the bike? On the bike I would like to ride to the best of my ability and off the bike I would like to get as many A’s as possible
Do you want to be a paid professional rider, or are you in it for fun? I would like to be a professional rider.
What do you like to do when you are not riding? Just relax and enjoy myself
What song are always playing on your ipod or mobile? Different songs, I don’t have any favourites.
What is your favourite movie? Movies? When do I have time for movies? I train, race, eat, sleep, wash my bike, go to school and learn
Who do you look up to in the sport? I look up to Burry Stander and Tania Raats two of our top riders
What do you do differently on race day? I get up really, really early and give my self lots and lots of nerves. I also eat an otees bar about 20-30 minutes before the start.
Describe yourself in three words? Girl powered cycloholic
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