Helen’s Story (2006)

Hi I’m Helen and a member of Essex Roads. I’ve been in the club for a number of years now. I joined because of my son David who wanted to race with a local club, and I wanted to support him. Since then, David has had many successes in time trials and road racing too. Although he doesn’t compete quite so much now I have continued in the club where I get involved in lots of things.

I am the time-keeper for our evening time-trial series which as you can imagine requires lots of concentration to avoid mistakes. I keep a big list of riders arriving at the start and note the times as people finish. The times are then posted on our website by the club webmaster. I also jointly organised the ERCC road race this year with Ray Smith. It was great to be part of a very prestigious event and one which is well known in Essex.

I’m sure that lots of members will also tell you about my cakes! I am an avid cake-maker and when I have time I bring them up to club evenings where they disappear very quickly. I’ve also helped with the refreshments at many circuit races over at the Eastway cycle circuit, and at Sunday morning time-trials.

One very nice thing about Essex Roads is that those who help do get recognised. Here’s a picture of me getting a nice award from the new club president Ray smith.

I love Essex Roads. There are so many different personalities and people come from all walks of life, and they all need mothering a bit. I was asked to write this article as a ‘woman up the club’. It’s nice to think that Essex Roads isn’t just composed of men and that equality is very much the order of the day. So, why not come along and join the merry band of women who are making quite a difference at Essex Roads.