Rider Story - Paul & Julia's Adventures

5am Alarms, Lycra, Coffee and racking up a lot of Km's and elevations was certainly not something we would have seen ourselves doing a year ago, let alone averaging 3-4 rides a week or even riding to Wollongong! But with some great encouragement we have achieved all this & 2015 is not even over.

Our 2014 Christmas presents to each other consisted of a Giant Defy and Liv Avail. After a couple of months riding regularly to La Pa, we decided to find a bunch ride to join. I joined the monthly Liv social rides and Paul found MC's Saturday Social rides, both of which helped us master the basics of bunch riding and increased our cycling confidence. It didn't take long for the MC Classic to become a regular occurrence for both of us on a Saturday morning.

After a mid-year trip to Europe, we decided to keep cycling through a brisk Sydney winter and joined MC on their Tuesday La Pa Ride, which helped improve our cycling fitness. Our first Sunday long ride with MC took us to Kurnell, and while that seemed like a struggle at the time, it was a great experience and we even had to circle the block to make sure we cracked 80km for the morning.

It wasn't long before we joined the 5 Beaches ride on a Thursday morning and were soon riding at least 3 times a week with MC and enjoying every ride. Then came the October Long Weekend, after a very hectic Saturday, which included the MC Classic we decided to join the Sunday Long Ride to Wollongong, with the goal of making it to Wollongong and returning by train. With some great help from the MC Crew we not only able to make it, but were still smiling at the end & brunch never tasted so good.

We have continued with joining the occasional Sunday rides as well as increasing our ‘loathes’ for elevation. The MC crew has been extremely supportive and we feel as though we have become part of the family. Their no drop rides are very encouraging and we always enjoy our post ride chats and coffee.