Welcome to KCC Women!
This page is a resource to help any new ladies transition into club riding (or racing) and to allow existing ladies to keep up to date with what the Kapiti Cycling Club has to offer.
Within Kapiti Cycling Club we want to encourage all riders, whether you are young, middling or old, fast or slow, new or experienced. We will do our best to help any rider get what you want from being on two wheels.
Kapiti has a fast-growing cycling community and Kapiti Cycling Club wants to do all it can to encourage as many women members as men. We have bunch rides, a local race calendar that caters for all abilities, ride events, social events and gatherings and much talking over coffee. We would love for you to become involved.
Any questions? Please contact me (Glynis Te Maipi-Kemp - I'm in the pic below, suffering up the final hill at the Nationals), the Women's Coordinator at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Racing
Our racing is geared to appeal to all levels of rider skill and experience from complete novice to Euro-pro. So don't be put off if you are completely new to this racing stuff - come and give it a go. You might find you love it - welcome to our obsession.
You do need a race licence along with your club membership. Click HERE to see membership information.
Click HERE to go to the Club Racing Calendar showing all upcoming races (and events).
Group rides
Mentors/Buddies
If you’re new to the area or to riding with a group in general I know it can seem intimidating to front up to a bunch of lycra clad locals the first time. I think most of us have been there and can relate. Please don’t be put off, we are a friendly bunch and will do our utmost to make you feel welcome and included. If you are at all worried please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will do our best to buddy you up with someone we know will be riding and you’ll be ‘on your way’.
Every weekend (and even some week days) there are various groups riding out of Kapiti for different distances, efforts and speeds. These rides are not set or managed by the club but we encourage them and publicise any that wish to be on the website.
Currently we have:
60/40’s (you can ask any of the group what the name means, though you may get different answers depending on who you ask).
This is usually a medium to long distance ride at a steady pace averaging around 25kmh. The emphasis is on riding socially, leaving no-one behind and re-gathering at strategic points to ensure this.
Depart from Bike Barn Sundays at 8AM. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to get more details on the upcoming rides and I will put you in touch with this group leader.
4.50’s (meaning those who may like to aim for a sub 5 hour time at Taupo – but remember this is just a name):
This can be a slightly longer distance ride (though 60/40’s are often going further it must be said) at a steady pace averaging around 28kmh. The emphasis for this group is on riding at a fairly constant pace, putting in some sprints or extra work to stretch the legs (and lungs) now and again but, as with the 60/40’s, no-one is left behind and the group re-gathers at strategic points. Coffee is always the end-goal and is usually partaken at No 6 in Raumati Beach.
This group generally puts a post on this website late in the week to give a summary of the previous weeks ride and let everyone know where they are planning on riding on the upcoming Sunday.
Depart from Coastlands Carpark Sundays at 8AM
Doug’s Mob
This group, funnily enough, is organised by Doug Barrett and rides on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Doug’s mob also rides at a good pace of around 28kmh varying routes to take in hills and flats. The rides last around 1 ½ hours finishing usually at Long Beach in Waikanae for a coffee. Doug describes this ride as “social but we also ‘put the hurt’ on”.
Depart from Weggery Drive Tuesday and Thursday. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to get more details on the upcoming rides and I will put you in touch with Doug.
Ride Kapiti Group
This group is for new riders or those wanting to become familiar with bunch riding before advancing to one of the other groups. The distance will be around 40 - 50kms at a pace averaging around 20kmh. The emphasis for this group is on riding safely and becoming more confident in a group situation and on public roads.
This group is run by Brent Atkins. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to get more details on the upcoming rides and I will put you in touch with Brent.
Club Challenges
These are a series of (hard but fun) Challenges put up for anyone to have a shot at any time. The challenges completed are recognised at Club Prize giving (with prizes and everything). Click HERE to see the full list of challenges.
Sheryl Morris and Amanda Ashcroft completing the Mt Aoraki/Cook Challenge.
Coaching
Within Kapiti cycling Club there are a number of coaches who are happy to give back to the club in the way of mentoring and cycle program. Recently the club also set 6 of our members, including one female, on the road to becoming accredited coaches. The number one priority of this group is that they will ‘give back’ to the members of the club in the form of coaching, programs and mentoring. We are a little way off having fully accredited coaches as yet but – watch this space!
Resources
Here are some good internet sites and articles - let us know if you have any others.
- Stop Apologising
- Buying a Bike
- The Meaning of Sport
- Remember This
- Our very own Myles Buckland-Jones has some great advice in the Beginners Section of the Info menu on this site (the Newbie Q&A is funny and insightful)
We would love to have more here. Email any you find interesting to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
And what about books out there, do you know any that you've found helpful? One has been recommended already:
Email any others to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gill Donald, Janice Hill and Sue Dore champions at the Graperide!
Please send in any ride reports and we'll get publishing.