Rider Profiles

This week’s rider profile is Geertrui! Geertrui started cycling just at three years old. She was born in Belgium where cycling is just a part of everyday life: “I always went everywhere by bike (school, sports, youth club, parties, shopping...). And so did all of my friends and family. I bought my first road bike 14 years ago putting my first salary to good use.” Before WWs, Geertrui had never raced. She entered last year in E grade but decided this year to enter No Drop: “I really like the friendly atmosphere at WW, it is just about having fun for me.” Geertrui works at the University of Canterbury as a senior lecturer in mathematics. It was this job that brought her and her family to NZ. Geertrui has two daughters (5 and 7) and a full time job so that doesn’t leave much time for hobbies, apart from cycling of course! Geertrui rides with Revolve Christchurch which organises women-only social group rides: “The pace is slow and the coffee stop is probably as important as the ride. Perfect way to start the weekend.” Random fact about Geertrui: “I am extremely bad at recognising and remembering faces (as in 'disorder type bad'). So if I have met you before and ignore you when I meet you again, please do not think I am too rude to say hi!” Great to see your friendly face each week at WWs Geertrui, even if you don't remember ours

This week’s rider profile, we’d like you to meet Chris Benson. Chris is the Director of Respectrum Insurance Brokers & a WWs19 associate sponsor. He began his fitness journey doing triathlons when he was 20 years younger & he’s been road cycling for around the same time. Chris has been racing WWs for 8 years & sponsoring it for 7. Chris loves the racing for the camaraderie & competition (because he’s pretty competitive). He races in E grade & pretty proud that he managed 2nd overall in 2017. WWs is Chris’ only racing activity throughout the year but he does go on recreational rides with the Magpies, CP & Cycle Surgery. We’d like to thank Chris for his continued support of the WWs.

Our rider profile for this week is Melanie Smith. Mel got into road cycling about 4 years ago, but before that, she did a bit of mountain biking. she took her opportunity to get into road cycling after her friend sold her a second-hand road bike. Mel used to go out on group rides with Cycle Surgery, which is how she met Daniel, the subject of last week’s rider profile. She volunteered at most of the races at last year’s Winter Worlds event, so 2019 marks her first proper Winter Worlds. Mel loves competing in Winter Worlds because she loves the competition and being competitive . she also loves the camaraderie of Winter Worlds and sees it as a great opportunity to keep in touch with everyone in the road cycling community through the winter months. Mel currently rides in the E grade but hopes to keep improving so she can move up to D grade for next year’s races.