Local Ladies Go Coast To Coast

By Marcus Braid on April 9, 2015 in News

It goes without saying that traversing mainland America from coast to coast is a long journey. Make it a race to the finish line and it becomes incredibly tough.

That’s what a group of local ladies who call themselves the Veloroos will do in June when they participate in the Race Across America on their bicycles.

Coogee’s Sarah Matthews said that strategy was a big part of the race for the four-woman team.

“It’s a 5,000-kilometre race and individually everyone is going to find some days that are easier and some days that are harder.

“We’re racing 24/7, day and night, for seven days. We split it into two pairs and do six-hour shifts. In that six hours, riders will alternate and they’ll do 20 minutes each.”

America is a diverse country with contrasting landscapes throughout, a fact that isn’t lost on the group.

“Some of the girls are stronger and heavier, so they’re going to do better on the flatter parts. For example, we ride through the Kansas Plains, which is about 1,200 kilometres, and I just found it brutal last year and searingly hot and very boring.

“Some people find the Rockies the hardest part; other people find the desert and the plains hard. Sleep deprivation is going to be a huge thing.”

The Veloroos – comprising Ms Matthews, Julie-Anne Hazlett, Nicole Stanners and Natasha Horne – need to raise $100,000 to fund the race. On top of that, the group is raising money for charities The Amy Gillett Foundation and Tour de Cure.

“At the end of the day, we have to come up with $100,000 for the race and however much we raise in terms of sponsorship will be equally donated to charity,” Ms Matthews said.

“The reason we went with the Amy Gillett Foundation is because they’re really heavily pushing the ‘Metre Matters’ thing, which is basically road safety for cyclists.”

The Veloroos are currently on the lookout for a corporate sponsor. For more information or to donate, visit www.theveloroos.com.