Jodie Batchelor
Jodie has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000.
The decision to ride or not and then committing
- By Jodie Batchelor
- Published 29-Dec-08
I had about 6-8 months rehab working with a physio 2-3 times a week. When I got back on the bike I was so nervous with noise from behind, it took a while to get my nerve back.
I raced G grade (lowest grade with SVCC) as my first ride back and the club gave me an encouragement award that night - I think I must have looked sick with fear at the start and I remember crying during the first lap I was that nervous. I have since moved through the grades and this weekend had my first race ever in C grade. My plan was to try and finish with them. I achieved that and was even there for the sprint. Got first female and I think I finished about 5th or 6th overall.
For me there was a decision after my accident - how much was I willing to let the accident take? After watching David in the Australiasian Masters Games in Adelaide in 2007 I decided I wanted to get back on the bike and racing again. After deciding, I really commtted to the decision and my training. I've entered the same event (now called Australian Masters Games) in Feb 2009 that motivated me to race/ride again.
I hope that someone else on the side lines is motivated to have a go next time.
I applaude everyone that has a go at racing. Whether coming back from an accident or just getting the nerve to turn up and pin the number on. I know that SVCC and my training partners/group have always been supportive regardless of what grade I may have been in.
