Also assisting were a group of experienced racers from Les Filles race team, Drops Cycling Team, and Matrix Pro Cycling. They rode with the women, giving guidance on pacing, cornering, and the all important skill of holding your line!
Many women arrived feeling nervous about the idea of sitting on the wheel of a fellow rider, and left happy to ride in the middle of a steady paced peloton.
There were plenty of opportunities for those after some sprint training to try their hand at racing for the line, too.
Following the practical element of the day, the riders filtered into the Cyclopark HQ for a theory lesson given by Huw Williams – in which he covered the basics of getting into racing, working with a team to achieve an overall goal, and the principles of training.
There was also time set aside for networking, to allow women to meet other local racers – who they may soon be competing against.
The day was organised by London Women’s Racing League secretary Beth Hodge, with the help of members from the committee, and it was sponsored by Rapha who donated a raffle prize.
London Women’s Racing provides women in London and the Southeast with a clear pathway to racing, as well as helping to create wider fields by encouraging women to sign up to the same events within their league, rather than racing at assorted events spread out over the country. They have some exciting plans in the pipeline, including a closer relationship with women’s cycling group Strongher, so watch this space.
Secretary Beth Hodge said: “We were completely overwhelmed by the turn out and support- the event was fully sold out with two weeks to go, and still people were asking for spots. The team and I are seriously excited about what this could mean for women’s racing going forwards. LWR exists to help drive this momentum by working with partners, and I can’t wait to see how this develops in the future. All I ask now is that we see this interest turn into race entries, the structure is there, we just have to support it and see it grow.”
The reaction on social media following the day was overwhelming, with a great deal of positive feedback sent in the direction of the organisers.
