LADIES
Our ladies participate in a range of activities.
If you are wanting to test out the water then you are more than welcome to come along and meet us for one of our club rides on a Sunday morning. Riders arrange themselves into separate groups according to speed, ability or just simply wanting to ride with their friends. All groups meet up at the same cafe stop during the morning.
There is an extensive range of social events and these too are popular with our members.
For racing Worthing Excelsior promote a full programme of club time trials throughout the year. These are a good way of entering into competition with the support and encouragement of fellow club members. For the more adventurous there are open time trials held across Sussex and beyond. The season-long club competitions include Ladies awards for Best All Rounder (2 x 25 miles; 2 x 10 miles), and also for the Don Lock Memorial Evening 10 Series (held on Thursday evenings).
And there's always social competition with the Club Rides Attendance Competition.
If you are wanting to test out the water then you are more than welcome to come along and meet us for one of our club rides on a Sunday morning. Riders arrange themselves into separate groups according to speed, ability or just simply wanting to ride with their friends. All groups meet up at the same cafe stop during the morning.
There is an extensive range of social events and these too are popular with our members.
For racing Worthing Excelsior promote a full programme of club time trials throughout the year. These are a good way of entering into competition with the support and encouragement of fellow club members. For the more adventurous there are open time trials held across Sussex and beyond. The season-long club competitions include Ladies awards for Best All Rounder (2 x 25 miles; 2 x 10 miles), and also for the Don Lock Memorial Evening 10 Series (held on Thursday evenings).
And there's always social competition with the Club Rides Attendance Competition.
WECC Ladies Profiles
KAREN McGRATH:
I’ve recently joined WECC, having thoroughly enjoyed a number of Sunday social rides, where I felt accepted and part of the group. Apart from the girls rides with Quest, I’d previously ridden mainly alone or with my husband John, so riding with WECC has really helped my confidence in group riding.
The rides have taken us along some beautiful country lanes, and I’ve discovered parts of Sussex I didn’t know existed - despite living here all my life.
It seems that the Sunday social rides are just one aspect of WECC and there are plenty of other opportunities (excuses) to get out on my bike. Having tried my first Time Trial, it wasn’t as daunting as I’d feared, and will hopefully be able to do some more soon.
The rides have taken us along some beautiful country lanes, and I’ve discovered parts of Sussex I didn’t know existed - despite living here all my life.
It seems that the Sunday social rides are just one aspect of WECC and there are plenty of other opportunities (excuses) to get out on my bike. Having tried my first Time Trial, it wasn’t as daunting as I’d feared, and will hopefully be able to do some more soon.
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Karen on a recent trip to France.
What a great place to ride! |
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JOAN LENNON:
Joan is one our our club stalwarts and takes part in club runs, social rides and time trials - all with equal enthusiasm. Her happy approach is a pleasure for all. In 2017 she replaced Nicky Carsons on the committee.
She is definitely an all round performer, and whilst she enjoys her cycling she really becomes competitive in multi-discipline events.
Her main focus is Triathon and Duathlon, and she tends to concentrate on stand distance or longer:
Triathlon (Standard Distance) is 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run.
Triathlon (Ironman distance) is 3.8K swim, 180K bike and 42K run.
Duathlon (Standard distance) is 10K run, 40K bike, 5K run.
She is definitely an all round performer, and whilst she enjoys her cycling she really becomes competitive in multi-discipline events.
Her main focus is Triathon and Duathlon, and she tends to concentrate on stand distance or longer:
Triathlon (Standard Distance) is 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run.
Triathlon (Ironman distance) is 3.8K swim, 180K bike and 42K run.
Duathlon (Standard distance) is 10K run, 40K bike, 5K run.
Her credentials and experience are impressive indeed and we thank her for sharing her background with us here.
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I've ridden a bike for 50 years, but running is my real passion and strength. I started doing triathlons competitively in 2000 and realised that biking was the weak link for me. Having qualified for the age group World Triathlon Championships in Mexico in 2002, I decided I need to improve my speed on a bike and get a better bike. So I bought a proper road bike (Giant OCR), joined WECC at some point and did more cycling. Each year I competed in World Champs or European Champs, or both (depending on which I had qualified for) and even managed the World Duathlon Championships in Geel, Belgium in 2004 (5th in my age group I think).
A new better road bike in 2008 helped as did joining WECC and doing time trials. Despite all, I still struggle with speed on a bike. But I use TTs as my way of really pushing myself on a bike and trying to gain some seconds against my triathlon competitors. I have won my age group in many domestic triathlons, but seldom in the big international competitions. 2006, bronze medal in European Triathlon Championships in Autun, France 2006 Winner of age group 45-49 in Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, San Francisco 2011, bronze medal in European Triathlon Championships in Athlone, Ireland 2007, 3rd place in Ironman UK (50-54 age group) 2014, 4th place (55-59 age group) in Ironman Frankfurt 2016 - Flamme Rouge (last) in South Downs Bikes weekend Time Trials! Note: Getting older doesn't mean always getting slower. I've been running since 1980 Marathon PB set at age 56, 3 hrs 32 mins 10K PB set at age 52, 39 mins 23 secs. |
2017 Update
Things move on quickly with our action lady as you will see from the update below:
Things move on quickly with our action lady as you will see from the update below:
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As I am now 60, I thought I would challenge myself for the year to do a half marathon every month, January through to December. I know that's nothing to do with cycling but I have a few cycling things also. I have done four half marathons now, the latest being out in Spain last weekend. So far I have picked up three trophies, a £40 voucher towards some shoes, a pair of socks and €80 prize money!! Not bad.
I did the Clumber Park Duathlon in the middle of March, 10K run, 40K bike and 5K run, and finished third in my age group. It was the a qualifying race for the age group European Standard Distance Duathlon Championships in 2018 and I have successfully qualified - so that is my Spring 2018 target taken care of. And in a couple of weeks I will be going out to Spain again to manage the GB age group team for the 2017 European Sprint Duathlon Championships (288 athletes in the team ranging in age from 16 to 81!). Their race distance is 5K run, 20K bike and 2.5K run. There are some seriously fast athletes in the team and if anyone in WECC wants any advice on qualifying for age group European or World Championships I'm happy to answer questions. Hopefully I'll get some TTs in this year also. |
NICOLE PATTERSON-LETT:
Nicole is another who is involved in very many aspects of the club and is also an accomplished and successful triathlete.
She is currently the club's Ladies 'Best All Rounder' (based on times from 2 x 25 mile time trials and 2 x 10 mile time trials), plus being the current holder of the Ladies title for the Evening 10 series. Her time in her last 25 mile time trial of last season was tantalisingly close to the long established Ladies Record and we wish her all the best for this coming season as she looks to break through that barrier.
She too has kindly penned some words to explain her background and to give a flavour of riding with the club.
She is currently the club's Ladies 'Best All Rounder' (based on times from 2 x 25 mile time trials and 2 x 10 mile time trials), plus being the current holder of the Ladies title for the Evening 10 series. Her time in her last 25 mile time trial of last season was tantalisingly close to the long established Ladies Record and we wish her all the best for this coming season as she looks to break through that barrier.
She too has kindly penned some words to explain her background and to give a flavour of riding with the club.
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I'm Nicole, Nic to most, and Mrs PL to others since meeting my now husband on a cycling club ride almost 7 years ago.
I love the Worthing club rides - you can really challenge yourself and earn your cake by racing the boys up the hills, you'll have to hold your own with the banter but you'll always be looked after especially if you get a puncture and need help getting tyres off. I cycle in between running and swimming, and working ...and eating and sleeping, so it's a good job my husband does triathlons too else neither of us would have time to see each other! I enjoy leading a girls' road ride each month - Note it's on a Saturday so you can still make the WECC club ride! It started up 4 years ago when JP at Quest Adventure (super bike shop in Broadwater) talked to me about getting girls out on the road (and out of the spin class). The rides aim to help ladies cycle on the roads confidently both in traffic and in a group. But we also make time for gossip on the quieter roads and although most like to challenge themselves, ego's are not allowed! It's been great to see so many ladies really start to enjoy their road riding, ride more regularly. Many have encouraged friends to join, and some have even gone on to join WECC and the triathlon club. At WECC there are some girls, but we definitely need some more to even things out a bit, plus once you see our new WECC girls' kit in muted Rapha-esque pink you won't be able to resist! Come and try it out |
JOELY PEMBERTON-HILL:
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I joined the local cycling club in 2011 with my husband Darron, who has a keen interest in cycling. It was something we could do together so I thought i'd give it a try. Everyone was friendly and welcoming.
I now enjoy social Sunday rides which helps me get fitter and have found some other women to cycle with. The group always stops and waits for people to catch up so you feel part of the group. It has enabled me to build my confidence and cycling skills to stay safe on the roads. There's always a lot of encouragement and lots of laughs. We have made new friends and enjoy the social events on offer such as cycling trips, and various special evening events. Meeting like minded women is great, it's rewarding and gives you satisfaction. #empoweringwomen |
TIFFANY ORTON:
Tiff is another of our newer members and we are very pleased indeed to welcome her to the fold. She was already very good friends with some of our current members and so has taken no time at all to get into the swing of things.
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I had taken part in a few of the rides with WECC and they were well organised events. It was great to go out on new routes, seeing new roads and most of all meeting other keen cyclists.
Everyone at WECC is very welcoming and there is a wealth of cycling experience throughout the club. As a female cyclist it's lovely to feel 'looked after' by the gents but it's also a great way to go with a quicker group making you push harder in turn making you a stronger rider. |
SHEILA LUCAS
As mentioned in her own words Sheila has been an Excelsior member for longer than many. Her keenness, enthusiasm and social nature make it a joy for everyone.
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I joined WECC in 1985. My husband John and son Marvin were already members, so I decided to join them. I enjoyed the Sunday club runs and took part in many social events. I went on to ride Audax events and Reliability trials, which was a challenge to finish within the time.
I have ridden 10, 15 and 25 mile time trials and won the ladies hill climb series in 2005. To date I have been a member for 31 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. |
NICKY CARSONS:
Nicky joined in 2015 and lost no time in becoming involved in all sorts of aspects of the club.
She's had a go at the Hard Riders time trial and a number of other challenging events as well as being at the forefront of the Sunday club runs attendance chart. She joined the committee to provide a fresh stimulus and fulfilled that role brilliantly. She was instrumental in getting the introduction of the news ladies kit.
She's had a go at the Hard Riders time trial and a number of other challenging events as well as being at the forefront of the Sunday club runs attendance chart. She joined the committee to provide a fresh stimulus and fulfilled that role brilliantly. She was instrumental in getting the introduction of the news ladies kit.
And in Nicky's words.......
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I found the world of cycling when I started Triathlon training at the age of 45. Having been a competitive swimmer as a teenager at Worthing Swimming Club and being able to balance on a bike, all I needed to do was get over my hate of running. I have been successful at age group level surprising myself by winning Worthing sprint distance in 2015. I also won my 'super vet' age group at Half Ironman distance in 2013.
Realising how lonely cycling can be I looked for a club to join. I first went out on a 'Sunday Social' ride with WECC and now only wish I had joined sooner. Whether I wanted to ride on a Sunday Social, race at club Time Trials or compete at a Regional Level I was made to feel welcome. In November 2015 I was asked if I would like to join the committee. I happily accepted. I'm really keen to encourage more ladies to join our friendly, mixed ability cycling club. |
2017 Update
Nicky moved to Somerset and had to step down from the committee (her place being taken by Joan). She does retain second claim membership with us and is in regular contact.
