Self-doubt and apprehension often plague female cyclists who are fearful of being left behind by men, but next week they will have no need to worry about those issues.
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Cycle Station Albury is hosting a 25-kilometre women’s only ride on February 17, being held as part of a national ride hosted by Liv Cycling Australia to promote women taking up the sport for fun.
Up until about a year ago, Cycle Station assistant manager Christie Walker felt that same self-doubt herself, but has grown to love cycling and will take the position at the back of the bunch for next week’s ride.
“Much like other girls, I’m very apprehensive about group rides as well so I understand how they feel. I’m not the fastest rider, I’m not the strongest rider, but I enjoy doing it and that’s what it is about,” she said.
“This ride is a strictly no-drop ride - nobody gets left behind.”
The circuit will take riders around Albury, including just the one hill at Doctors Point near Mungabareena.
It will finish at the beach volleyball courts for the women to play a few games then have drinks and nibbles, and summertime fun and inflatable pool.
Ms Walker said 25 people had signed up so far for the ride which was about having fun and meeting other women who love riding as much as each other.
She said cycling was a traditionally male-dominated sport and some women felt they would not keep up or would hold others back in a group ride.
“You might realise it’s not that hard,” she said. “This is more about having fun, meeting those other women and breaking the ice.”
More women had started going to Cycle Station Albury in recent years, interested in getting started.
For Ms Walker, one of the joys of road riding was the downtime it provides from a busy life.
“It’s about getting on a bike and having some fun - the fitness and the exercise just comes with it,” she said
“The area that we’re in is just beautiful and we’re lucky to have the roads and the paths we do have out here.”
For more information on the Summer Vibes Ride, which starts at 3.30pm on February 17, call Ms Walker at Cycle Station Albury on (02) 6041 4388.