Rider Profile: Eloise

Well, just on 6 weeks to go until we embark on this crazy adventure riding from Perth to Brisbane – 4 cyclists, 4 Single Speed bikes, 7 days, relay style! We can do this!

For those who don’t know me, I am new to the Eagles Wings - Challenge For Change Team and at times I am questioning my sanity the night I met up with Reid, Big A and Hedgy to hear about this ‘adventure’! The guys explained their plans and asked me what I thought, “I’m in!”, was my reply all the time thinking how do I go home and explain to family that I’ve decided to ride across Australia!

Luckily for me I have a very supportive and encouraging support crew, Laith my husband and Sage, my 4-year-old daughter. They are always behind my crazy ideas, although this one takes the cake!

We love to cycle! Laith and I rode our Single Speed bikes to our wedding, I rode while I was pregnant and Sage has been in her bike trailer since she was very young. Last year was affectionately known as the ‘Year of the Crazy’ as two friends and I set out to take up triathlons. I completed my first Half Ironman race last September and have since completed another two as well as some shorter distance events. This year surely then must now be known as the ‘Year of the Crazier’ with me involved in a ‘300km in a day ride’ for Autisim Awareness in April and now the Fixin’ Poverty ride in September.

By day I work at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands as our Head of Junior School. This role keeps me busy but also allows me to serve others and support those less fortunate through our Service Learning focus. To be able to ride for Eagles Wings is a privilege and an honour! To be able to use my passion of cycling, to help make a difference to the lives of children is totally special and something I am grateful to have the opportunity to do.

The ride will be far from easy and will present many challenges but none even close to the challenges presented to those we are riding for. The training is tough but the ride will be tougher. It is a head game and a mental toughness that I know I will need to find to complete my 200km + a day for the 7 days. Currently I am focussed on getting some much needed km up on my bike for the ride. A huge thanks to Atma for your support of this ride. How awesome to purchase a Fixie and know you will help provide a bike to a child in a developing country!

Last weekend saw me conquer two of my three goals I initially thought I wanted to achieve through my training for Fixin’ Poverty’ – (1) climb the Gateway Bridge and (2) ride the Carbrook/Redland Bay 7 Sisters loop. With thanks to my Saturday riding mates, ‘LCLR’ I have made climbing the gateway bridge a weekly event. It is reassuring to know that despite it not feeling any easier, my times are improving! Last Sunday saw a tick for the Carbrook loop so only one destination ride on my list before Fixin’ Poverty, starting on 23 September…… (3) to ride Mt Gravatt!

Watch this space for news of that fun, I will do it! While I am not the smallest or fittest cyclist around my grit, determination and just plain stubbornness will hopefully only help my training and preparation.

When you face a challenge in your day I would ask you to please take a moment to stop and reflect on it and the absolute worst case scenario. Most of us can learn from this and make some more time for ourselves doing things that we love. I would encourage you to think about this ride too, how lucky our children are to have transport to school, a uniform to wear and food in their lunch boxes. Perhaps this journey will allow others the chance to know that anyone can make a difference, I am just an ordinary Mum, wife, friend and colleague doing ordinary things in my world. Every one of us can led by example, share with others and find our passion to help others! Please watch our journey, follow the adventure and see where we end up!

- Eloise