Meet the Member - Jill
To many members, Jill needs no introduction but for the many who have recently joined, here’s a chance to get to know our club president who was elected at the 2021 AGM.
What was your first proper bike?
My dad was involved in neutral service in events such as the Essex GP, Lincoln GP, Sealink International, Milk Race and Junior Tour of Ireland stage races and as a mechanic for the GB junior squad back in the day before lottery funding changed the world of cycling. He brought home a child-size Holdsworth orange drop handlebar racing bike for my brother which was passed onto me when he grew out of it. All the kids on our street used to hang out on bikes and we’d ride round the estate; I used the Holdsworth as by then my brother had found Manchester City. What I class as my own first bike was a 531 orange/gold Swinnerton made to measure, a present for my 18th birthday. This was used for many club runs and tours with the club. The last I saw of it was several years later when I spotted it being ridden by Tony, one of the mountain bikers. I shouted out “that’s my bike”, not being aware until I found out later that he’d bought it from my parents who wanted to make room in their garage. I had long left home and had bikes of my own by then so I can’t blame them really.
How long have you been a Macclesfield Wheeler?
The Peak District may be hilly but not quite this hilly
My parents have always been cyclists - that’s how they met and they were among the founding members of the club. Mum and dad both raced in their time before my brother and I arrived. I always remember being involved with cycling through them in some way or another. Both were heavily involved in organising events with signs and equipment stored in the garage and the washing line taken over with marshalling aprons and numbers pinned out to dry. Also in the garage were dad’s service bikes (he had two) and over 40 wheels hung from the ceiling. My mum and I used to ride these when she took me out on the club runs when I was about 14 or 15. I’ve been a Wheeler ever since, taking part in all disciplines of the sport: cyclocross, time-trials, road races, mountain biking and cycle touring.
Tell us about your favourite local ride or climb and why?
I’ve always been drawn to hills and mountains mainly for the views they provide. Crowdecote is a favourite climb as it reminds me of an Alpine climb with the hairpins. Then there are descents! A good one for me is from the top of Mam Nick back into Chapel-en-le-Frith: it reminds me of my dad, who taught me to descend, and of the roads he used to train on to get fit for his road races. A circuitous favourite route is out via the Brickworks, Windgather and back through Goyt Valley / Derbyshire Bridge but Jochen has already told you about that one in his ‘Meet the Member’ article! So I’ll go for 2nd best route which is the Brickworks, Kettleshulme, Eccles Pike, Chinley, Peep-o-day, Hayfield, New Mills, Disley and a few options back through Lyme Park or descend down to the railway crossing, Middlewood, Higher Poynton and the top road back to the bottom of the Brickworks.
What are your cycling goals for 2022?
Jill in one of the club hillclimbs riding up Teggs Nose
My goals last year were to take part in the club 10 series and Bhima’s hill climbs which he has organised on behalf of the club. I managed half of them so that went to plan but I’ve got a niggling injury at the moment which has put a long pause on things. Hopefully a rehab plan will get me back on track at some point in 2022, starting off with the Saturday social rides. I’m hoping to ride the club 10’s again this year and maybe a few hill climbs but if I can’t do that I’ll participate by helping out and cheering on those taking part. I’m doing some swimming sessions which are keeping me active. I’m looking forward to exploring off-road routes on my new gravel bike and post ride socials with other members of the club.
What does cycling mean to you?
Jill on marshalling duty at one of our events
It transports me to another place to appreciate the countryside, get some thinking time, an opportunity to socialise, catch up with friends and meet new ones from all walks of life. There have been tough days out on a bike ride shared with others when I wonder how I managed to get home and at those moments I think back to advice I was given years ago from club legends who are no longer with us: “each pedal stroke is one closer to the end”, “you always manage to get home” and “last hill”, which I now realise was never true!! Everyone has had those moments and sharing stories makes you realise you’re not on your own. Suffering on a bike is the same at all levels and cycling is unique to other sports as you can ride alongside elite riders of our sport in club events like the club 10’s and hill climbs.
Do you have any top tips for other cyclists?
Just have a go and don’t think “everyone is better than me”, “my bike's too heavy/old/wrong type for this event… etc”, “I can’t ride that far”, you’ll surprise yourself and the best feeling is when you get home and you did it! Another nugget of advice I was given when I first started cycling is “it doesn’t get easier, you just go further for longer”, which puts it into perspective. So when the going gets tough, think about something else, look at the views, talk to your club mate or stop and take a break. You’re as fit as you are, don’t put pressure on yourself. Make your cycling fun 😊
Let’s hope Jill's niggling injury is mended soon and she has a good campaign in the club 10’s and the hillclimbs.
Jill helps tabulate the results for the 10's. Other things that Jill has helped the club with are organising events (such as the Parkinson Memorial Road Race) and, more recently, leading on the Saturday Social Ride.
The new gravel bike is very smart as well…