| [return to RACING] |
Kath BICKNELLEndurance Racer |
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stats |
| Nickname |
The Bickchick |
| Hometown/Residence |
Grew up in Canberra, continuing to grow up in Sydney |
| Height |
164 cm |
| Favorite food |
Chocolate coated coffee beans. Mmmmm... |
| Foods I hate |
Not a fan of anything with legs. (I'm vegequarian) |
| Favorite drinks |
Coffee. Water. Fortunately coffee has both of these |
q&a |
| what's it like riding with radical-lights |
It's like the thrill you get from railing your favourite trail in the day, only extra exciting because most people are at home, in bed, dreaming of a life this good! |
| goals for this season |
Finish my PhD thesis on mountain biking as performance. To race regularly at fun events with quality trails and a great atmosphere. To up my fitness with regular and challenging rides with people who inspire me to be a better biker. |
| what are you doing to achieve these goals? |
Listening to my body, and riding when it feels good and having a day off when I need a rest. My local bike shop - Bicycle Garage in Lilyfield, Sydney hold regular group road and MTB rides which are so much fun I seem to be getting accidentally fit by just coming along! Riding regularly keeps my brain defragged, which makes study more productive too. |
| when did you begin cycling and why? |
I was busting out massive bike sessions at the local gym when I was 16. At the same time, my mum was buying herself a bike and took me to our local bike shop to see if I would fit her new bike as well. The rest, as they say, is history! |
| biggest influence? |
I've never ridden behind someone I didn't learn something from. |
| serious injuries? |
Cerebral Decompression Sickness after a learn to scuba course slowed me down for about 3 years. I had short term memory troubles and it took me about 4 months to be able to walk down my own street with out getting symptoms. |
| strongest qualities as a racer? |
Day/half-day races where a good sense of fun and smart nutrition can keep your final laps as quick as your first ones. Quality lights obviously make a big difference here too! |
| worst race or cycling experience |
I wouldn't say worst, but a painful one was the first day of a 6 + 6 hr race that was part of the Aussie 24 Hour Champs in 2009. My hardtail had a seat on it that I didn't realise made trail feedback fairly harsh, I developed a sciatica-type numbness in my right leg, my forks were also seizing and only getting about 40mm of travel. I remember riding along, doing make-shift stretches along the fire roads and thinking "I can't remember ever being in this much pain on a bike before" I got to the end of day one, and some friends who were supporting another rider grabbed my bike and serviced my forks overnight. I covered my arms and legs in Dencorub, did every sciatica stretch I knew and fell asleep, wondering if I would even turn up to the start line of the race the next day. Sunday came and I felt like a new person. I had so much fun smashing around the trails and felt really satisfied to have managed to get through some challenging conditions. And I won! That was pretty good too!
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| favorite course? |
Techy, flowy, thrilling and with sweet descents that seem to go on forever! |
more |
| website/blog |
www.kathbicknell.wordpress.com |
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