Pickering Brook 2012
Before my first ever cycle race I used to think racing was about speed, tactics, intimidation and trash talk.
These days when I think of racing, I think of my first experience…it was an absolute shambles! My first race was at the Pickering Brook Series on a day with torrential winter rain. I missed the start and spent much of the ‘race’ chasing the group and swearing at myself. After a while I sat up and just laughed. I never did sample any of those other things that I thought racing was all about, although it makes me smile when I think about my introduction to racing because I shared that experience with a friend.
The Peel District Cycling Club has a great race series not too far from Perth. They are mixed gender and graded from A to E. The club is also very friendly and welcoming to anyone wanting to participate. There are a few of us going down to Baldivis this Saturday afternoon and again on the 12th July in Wandi to give it a try, so if you fancy dipping your toe in, come join us! I would love to see first timers making it to the start line (on time!) and enjoying the challenge as well as experiencing the thrill of racing in the company of friends.
If you are interested or have questions, email me; leigh.outschoorn@y7mail.com
We are riding in D grade which is 43kms. Registrations start at 1pm and racing at 2pm. The cost is $20 for registration plus a day race licence for $33 or 3 day race licence for $44. Cycling Australia are rolling out 6 month race licences from the 1st of July, so watch their website for those details and upgrade if you wish to race more often. I know you will!
Check the PDCC racing schedule to see which races suit you. http://pdcc.asn.au/racing/schedule/ Hope to see you there!
Oh I giggle remembering this story..
Oh I remember that story too!
If any new-ish ladies out there are even flirting with the idea of racing, or old hands who haven’t done the ‘racing thing’ yet, I would like to join Leigh in encouraging you all to give it a go!
The fun & stories you will have from the day are worth it alone. The sense of achievement you will have in just having the courage to get to the start line will be priceless – just try to get to the start line on time rather than taking photos of the momentous day 😉 hehe.
I agree PDCC do put on a great show. Their races are well organised and provide for some very friendly competition. Probably the best way for anyone contemplating make a racing debut.
You get to sleep in too 🙂
Whoever came up with ‘afternoon racing’ is a saint! I love the ‘sleep in’ option! Not that I get to do that with a young family, but it does take the early morning pressed for time ritual of ‘peeling kids off you to leave the house’ pressure off.
Rain is a concern this weekend. Rain is included in race proceedings and it will be a matter of race with care. What better way to improve and intensify your bike handling skills!
We are going no matter what the weather! Hope to see you there 🙂
Ok, I will just eat my words right about now. Severe weather warning has been issued and the Peel racing ‘come dip your toe into racing’ is now ‘please stay home and dip your toe on another day’. We are not going to attend this race. It’s been advised that we choose different weather conditions to try road racing. 🙂