Author: Gear Up Girl

Our hugely popular GEAR UP GIRL Workshop series return for 2015, and kicks off with our friends at Pedal Stroke Yoga hosting three special women’s only yoga workshops to help get you in shape for the big event on Sunday March 8 – the Heart Foundation GEAR UP GIRL Ride.

Pedal Stroke Yoga is designed for cyclists of all levels; it strengthens the muscles used in your pedal stroke, helping to maximise your power, endurance, and performance on the bike.

The first workshop is on Saturday Feb 21 – bookings are essential and Bicycle NSW members and friends even get a discount! Simply enter gug when prompted.

While you’re at it, be sure to register now for the Heart Foundation GEAR UP GIRL Ride and join hundreds of bike-minded women riding the 20km, 40km or 60km routes across picturesque inner Sydney and the spectacular coastline of Cronulla.

Information and to register visit http://gearupgirl.com.au/get-involved/courses/

 

Bicycle NSW and the Heart Foundation are proud to have the support of a growing list of female leaders from across the community. Some of the things we love is their diversity of backgrounds, contrasting cycling experiences and different reasons for riding a bike, and riding GEAR UP GIRL.

“As a keen cyclist I am very pleased to be an ambassador for the Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 2015.Sunday morning rides are a long standing tradition in our household and something I look forward to every week. It’s not just great exercise but a fantastic way to see your neighbourhood, your city and the world.Fingers and cleats crossed I will keep cycling down the road for many more years.”

The Hon. Gabrielle UPTON, MBA, BA, LLB MP Minister for Family and Community Services

 

 

“Cycling is a great way to maintain an active lifestyle. Many NRMA Members ride bikes to get around as well as for fun, and Gear Up Girl is a fantastic opportunity for women to get on a bike and raise money for a good cause. As Deputy President of the NRMA, I know how important safety is for cyclists. That’s why NRMA has been working closely Bicycle NSW on the “It’s a Two Way Street” education campaign to improve cycling safety and encourage all road users to share the road safely and respectfully. Congratulations to Bicycle NSW for putting on this event again in 2015 and I can’t wait to get peddling!”

Wendy Machin, Deputy President of the National Roads and Motorists Association

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m thrilled to be an Ambassador for this year’s Gear Up Girl ride. Cycling is an easy and fun way to enjoy Australia’s great outdoors. It’s also a cheap and accessible option for women of all ages to improve their health and fitness.”

Councillor Christine Foster, City of Sydney

 

 

 

“I fully support this event, not only for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, but I love the way it brings women together to cycle. I am a social cyclist and I love early-morning weekend rides but I am always looking for bike buddies to meander along the bike paths and quiet streets of the North Shore. Women live longer but it is important we have a healthy longer life. Bike riding is low impact and provides a social outlet and we should all be riding into our ‘80s but it does however take practice and we need to build confidence… and what better opportunity to meet prospective bike buddies to do this.”

Pauline Vamos, Chief Executive, Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA)

On Tuesday the team at Bicycle NSW and some of our loyal volunteer route marshals did a trial of the Heart Foundation GEAR UP GIRL Ride. For some of us (triathlete Jane) it was a doddle, for others it was a challenge, and for Lisa it was a personal milestone. Read her beautiful and uplifting story here, but we warn you, it made us a little teary!

“How good do I feel! After bringing up three toddlers and currently raising three tweens, bike riding went a bit on the wayside. I joined Bicycle NSW in October 2014 and seeing those 9,000+ riders enjoy the Spring Cycle, reminded me it was time to get back to what I loved doing, riding my bike! On Tuesday after training for just a few weeks, I completed the GEAR UP GIRL 40km Classic Ride. I loved the route because it was nice and easy, pretty flat and the scenery was just gorgeous. The company was pretty great too! I was so proud of my achievement which in the end didn’t prove that hard to do.

But my greatest moment came when I got home that evening. A bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers from my husband and six year old daughter. My 10 year old daughter came and lay down on my bed with me wanting to know all about my ride. My teenage son of whom I can never pry off the computer actually stopped his game with his friends to see how I went. How cool is it that my children are actually interested and even proud of what I had achieved! Not only am I getting back to what I enjoy doing and getting fitter, I now have a sense of pride in myself, I have done something for me and my family are proud of me for it!”

Lisa Nicholls, Bicycle NSW Administration Manager

On Wednesday 20th February, Bicycle NSW and local charity TAD Disability Services announced their new partnership.

The partnership aims to create a better environment for cycling by raising the awareness and positive impacts cycling has for children with disabilities and the broader community.

Pictured, TAD Disability Services CEO Alan McGregor and Bicycle NSW CEO Alex Unwin with a Freedom Wheels bike.

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About TAD Disability Services
TAD Disability Services is the only charity in NSW which designs and builds personalised custom equipment to enable people with disabilities to lead more independent lives. TAD’s core workforce is almost 300 volunteers who donate their time to create over 1,000 custom-built items each year. For more information visit www.tadnsw.org.au

About Bicycle NSW
Bicycle NSW is a member-based association with a substantial history of representing bicycle users in New South Wales. Our mission is:

“Creating a better environment for cycling”

Our goal is to achieve a better environment for current riders, and for those who may be encouraged to ride a bicycle in the future. Bicycle NSW seeks to stimulate the cultural and behavioural change necessary to mainstream bicycle use while also advocating for improvements to be made to the built environment that improve the viability of the bicycle as a serious transport option.

We run programs and events, advocate for better conditions for bicycle users and provide a variety of information for bicycle users. We work collaboratively with a wide network of partners and friends to reach our shared objective of mainstreaming bicycle use. www.bicyclensw.org.au

Media Enquiries
For more information, interviews or photo opportunities, please contact:
Nicky Fagan, Communications Officer, TAD Disability Services on 02 9912 3404.
Tony Henderson, Portfolio Director – Events, Bicycle NSW on 02 9704 0809