Shepparton Breeze Rides Case Study

CASE STUDY

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Shepparton

Breeze

hepparton Breeze started in September 2013 with 2 Breeze Leaders and 48 riders.

Now the group has 3 leaders and there has been around 100 women attend rides and events. There are about 50 regular riders mostly aged between 30-50 years of age taking part in a variety of road, off-road and mountain bike rides. During the week there two regular early mornings rides covering about 30km, as well as two Ergo classes.

The leaders also organise other rides and events such as the Winter Kick program, Secret Women’s Business and occasional bike maintenance and skill sessions as needed.

For example, the Winter Kick program was a two session program aiming to introduce women to the bike and inspire them to continue riding over winter. Over two sessions the leaders went through basic bike skills, safety, rules and drills.

The Breeze group is connected to the local Shepparton Cycling Club, thus providing a pathway for women into the club. Since September, 13 women from the Breeze group have joined the cycling club. The club is very supportive of the Breeze Rides and in March ran the first female division Criterium event. It is hoped there will be more opportunities to open all club competitions to include a women’s race component. In Shepparton the Breeze group has been very successful in attempting to challenge the traditional cycling club culture and participation levels for women. It is suggested the Breeze program has been important in giving local women the confidence and support to make these positive changes.

The group uses Facebook to advertise the rides and share information with the group members. Currently there are 59 members of the Facebook group which is used very regularly. Many members now organise their own rides through Facebook and moShepparton Breeze “is for all ladies wishing tivate each other to get out on their bikes. to give cycling a go; either road, mountain or Local GP clinics have copies of the flyers to hybrid bikes welcome. Rides and events will give out to women who might be interand there has been much support for be posted to this group for you to like, share ested the program through local media. Breeze and comment. Please join this motivated Leaders have been on local radio, news and female cycling movement currently building TV programs discussing Breeze and the in the Shepparton area. Get out on your Shepparton group.

bikes girls, opportunities and fantastic new friends await you!...”

CASE STUDY

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Kelly’ s

Experiences as a Breeze Leader

elly has been a Leader in the Shepparton Breeze group since it began and invests a lot of time to making it run successfully. She says she would generally spend 8-10 hours doing rides, training and fitness sessions, planning and writing the newsletters.

Kelly is a very passionate road rider and has been riding for a long time. She says the response to the Breeze program “blows me away” and she is so proud of the changes that have been occurring in the region in regards to women’s cycling. Over the last few years the profile of cycling in Shepparton has been steadily growing, and Kelly feels Breeze has been an important part of growing this participation for women. Kelly says that “women don’t want to put on the lycra and then ride with a guy” so Breeze helps to break down some of the barriers women face “so they get to do the riding and learning with a bunch of females”. Getting more women riding bikes is a huge reward for Kelly and makes being a Breeze Leader very satisfying.

The Shepparton Breeze Group has also connected to other individuals and community groups. Kelly has been able to share ideas with the community and created links to groups such as with local cycling stores helping to enhance the Breeze program. For example, Leigh Egan Cycles have supported the women riders and helped turn the Breeze Ergo sessions into reality.

Although Kelly is extremely happy and humbled by the overwhelming interest and support of the Breeze program, there have been challenges along the way.

These include keeping all ladies happy, providing rides to match their individual needs, levels and abilities and also keeping them interested and motivated. Social dynamics have also played a difficult part when organising rides or sessions.

Overall Kelly sees Breeze as a positive and supportive network and looks forward to welcoming new Breeze leaders to help keep the momentum going in her region. She says the long hours she puts in to the group are worth the positive outcomes she has seen in the Shepparton area.