July 1979 - Pauline Walters a thirty eight year old housewife and mother of three spent most Sundays touring the Midlands area around her home in Birmingham England.

After joining the Beacon Roads Cycling Club in 1957 aged 15 (UK) and was soon encouraged to compete in the clubs racing programme, as with most English cycling clubs the programme consisted mainly at 10, 15, 25 and 50 miles for their woman competitors.

Pauline operated at these distances in club, Inter club and Open events over a period of about 7 years, winning some club events and always being well placed in the inter club and Opens.

In 1959 she won the club ladies 25 mile Championships and also the ladies Handicap B.A.R competition decided over the seasons events.

Pauline trained mainly with the men and surprised many of them with her ability, as many training rides exceeded 100 miles.

Pauline married in 1961 and continued with racing until the first of her children was born in 1963. Devoting her time to the family left no time for competition, after the birth of the second child in 1965 the Walters emigrated to Australia and cycling was placed into the background. Over the next ten years and not until 1975, did Pauline race again on a very solid ladies bike which she used for shopping and short journeys around her North Ringwood home.

Moving to Cheltenham in 1978 gave Husband David also a former racing cyclist in England the chance to ride to work in the city. It was at this time that David decided to seek competive riding again through the V.C.A.V (now Southern Vets) at this time only allowed male members, however many women were helping with events and social functions. A motion seeking full membership was put to a meeting of members and was passed, allowing for women over 35 to join and ride under the same rules with men.

Having already purchased a Ten speed racing bike Pauline was very soon training and on the 3rd June rode her first race in 17 years a 75 Kilo Handicap, riding off limit and completing the course in fine style.

L.E. Laycock.

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On a note about this great article, the grading system adopted by SVCC gives all competitors fantastic riding with ladies regularly placing and winning and ladies 30+ years may join. Our club is equal opportunity and welcomes all riders.

If you are considering taking up a sport again that is great cardio, low impact, and heaps of fun, then cycling is ideal. Come and Try.

SVCC now also has a Womans Liason Officer for further assistance.