Have you got what it takes?

Briee Rogers started racing competitively in 2015. She once asked ‘have I got what it takes?” Since answering that question herself, she has been patient, worked hard, asked questions and listened to advice.

Yesterday at a local race Briee had a breakthrough moment and explains the process of overcoming self doubt and taking the plunge into the sport of cycling.

Beating self doubt

“Today I beat the self doubt.

“I entered a grade that for me was “too hard”, “they’re so much stronger than me”, “she’s really good” and made all the comments “what if I get dropped?”, “what if I embarrass myself?”, “what if I fail?”.

“Once the whistle goes… you forget power and heart rate and resort to “just follow the wheel” and “they’ll ease up in a minute if I can just hang on a little longer…”

“Before you know it, you’re less than 5km to go and then the real panic sets in…. “oh my gosh, what do I do now? Can I win?”

“I’m no expert but my thoughts, just give it a crack. I raced B grade today and ended up sprinting with the bunch for second…. with noone more shocked than me to find myself in that position.

“Others managed to chase back on and finish in the bunch. Whatever you do, go down fighting. Even the A graders get dropped… thats not failing.

“Just learn something and dampen the voices for next time.”

B Grade Women’s Race at the Peter Clark Memorial Kermesse in Gnagara Pic Credit Nick Cowie

Opportunity 

Briee finished second in B Grade Women, an opportunity that was only presented due to the provision of graded womens racing at this local event and also because more and more women are taking the plunge.

Four grades of womens racing and equal prize money for women.

And as Bridie O’Donnell said only last week, “If race directors put on equal prize money (yay!) and promote the event, then it’s our responsibility to show up!”.

How to get involved

You have what it takes!

To register for the upcoming Ring Criterium Series in a graded womens race or the New Racer program https://www.ringcritseries.asn.au

To make a tax deductive donation to the Cycling Development Foundation to support women athletes https://asf.org.au/projects/cycling-development-foundation/