Introducing...
Every month, we introduce some of the Kingston Wheelers and Lise Sørensen is here for March 2010, alongside Cervélo Test Team pro Dan Lloyd.
Originally from Denmark, she's slowly got into cycling but that's the only slow bit. She's just moved up to a third category rider and she's a strong rider who is likely to rack up more results and points during the year, not to mention plenty of other miles on the bike.
Name: Lise Sørensen
Age: 30
Date you joined the Club: February 2009
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?I moved from Denmark to the UK in August 2008 and did not know the good places for cycling, and I always get lost on my own. Often a 50km ride ends up in 100km because I get lost and cannot find my way back… Not always the greatest thing!!! The club runs goes to various places, but still it is in the same areas, so after a while you start recognising places. Also there is a really good social side of the club, both during the ride and after the ride (and Mondays not to forget), which I enjoy.
What made you start cycling?Well, first of all, I am Danish, so I’m brought up with a bike; commuting to school, work, friends, beach etc. But sometime around 2004 I was persuaded to try “road bike cycling”, but until then I had never thought of it as being a sport I would enjoy. Before 2004 I would have said something like “bikes are only for bad weather when you cannot rollerblade.” (I love skating!)
Anyways... I borrowed a road bike a few times, realised how fast you can improve (go for longer rides without getting exhausted), that you can go with other people even though they are less/more fit than you are (and still everyone get something out of it), and I actually enjoyed experiencing a lot of places that I wouldn’t have known of if it wasn’t for the riding.
To me cycling is a very independent sport, which gives you the possibility to do sports at any time of the day – whenever it suits you/your work/family. At this point of my life, this works better for me.
What bike do you ride? Good question... Hmm... I don’t really know the exact details of my own bike, but it is called a Faggin; an Italian steel bike, my first bike - and probably the most reliable bike you can get; I never had a problem with it (not even after the bike got run over by a car – impressive...!).
Give us a brief cycling background: Most of the rides I did when I started cycling, were evening rides (30km) after work a few times during the week, and some rides which were a little bit longer in the weekends. After a while the weekend rides increased to 80-90km and I also started using my bike as an alternative to public transport, whenever I was visiting friends/family that lived 50-60km away.
Then I had a period where I didn’t have much time for the outside training, and the only thing that kept my fitness level up was spinning sessions in the gym a few times a week. I then entered a 118km race in 2006 – not very fit and totally unprepared for road racing – but I came out with both a good position and a good experience, so I decided that I wanted to try and enter some more events whenever I had the time. So I did the same race in 2008 and 2009, plus a 290km ride around Zealand (Denmark). All rides have been a good experience and looking back, even though it is sometimes hard work, it is fun, and that’s what makes you do it again.
When I started cycling with Kingston Wheelers I had a really good chance of asking some other people about their experiences on racing, and as a result of some really helpful people, I am now getting more and more into racing, which obviously requires a good deal of training, but that is only great if you like being outside.
What was your best performance or ride?I am not sure if I have only one. From a race perspective, I have achieved what I wanted to achieve; whether this was a good position, good teamwork, or simply just to have a good time. From a club run perspective most rides are very good, you meet and talk to a lot of nice people, and you have a good time outside, even though it is cold and raining – definitely helps motivation.
What was your worst day on the bike? Worst day must have been one of my first rides in February last year, when I came back on the bike after I have had a flu, hardly no fitness because of that and because I have been studying, and I ended up with people waiting for me nearly every 10th minute, which is really a awful feeling, when you know your usual capabilities. But it taught me that no days are the same, and you need to accept better and worse days.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? I have never watched much cycling on TV, but for a period I had some spinning sessions with a very inspiring person, Chris MacDonald. Not sure if he is known in the UK, but he got very well known in Denmark after he did the Race across America a few years back, and since then he has occasionally showed up in various TV programs, lectures etc.
What is your favourite bike food? I must say that I do not enjoy energy bars; I prefer a slice of rye bread (preferably home made) and a banana - mmm.
Where is your favourite cycling location? I have many favourite places, and I must say England is one of them. This country is a perfect place for cycling; it is very pretty in the countryside, very hilly with some really nice views, there is always a pub nearby where you can stop for a coffee or lunch. I am pretty sure there are a lot of places I still haven’t discovered.
Most likely to say: "It’s not a problem, just a little challenge".
Least likely to say: "I am too fat, need to diet."
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