Introducing...
Every month, we introduce some of the Kingston Wheelers and for December 2008 it's the turn of Maryka Sennema. She's from Canada and really got into cycling when she lived in the Netherlands. A triathlete, she's already done an Iron Man event and several other impressive performances but she'll be hoping for more luck in her next Iron Man.
Name: Maryka Sennema
Age: 34
Significant others: Jim Ley (also a new member).
Date you joined the Club: October 2008.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?Recently I realised that out of the three triathlon sports, I enjoyed cycling the most - and after living for three years in the Netherlands, it had gone from my worst discipline to my best. So I decided to join a club and try my hand at pure cycle racing. Kingston Wheelers was the nearest club, had a very welcoming website, and was full of friendly people on the Sunday runs. And the kit looks cool, too.
What made you start cycling?Where I grew up in suburban Ontario, Canada, every kid had a bike and we would spend from right after breakfast til just before supper on summer days riding around and getting into trouble. My bike was my link to the great big world beyond my own backyard.
What bike do you ride? Cervelo P2SL and Cervelo Soloist Team.
Give us a brief cycling background: Had a cruiser-turned-BMX as a kid, a "10-speed" for transportation as a teenager, then an MTB for fitness and stress release as a working adult. As a budding triathlete I bought an old road bike for $100 and set it up with TT bars and shifters. But it wasn't until I moved from Canada to the cycling mecca of the Netherlands that I truly discovered a love for road cycling and became keen to ride lots (and on better bikes!)
What was your best performance or ride?In May 2008, the day after cycling a century in 5:20, I rode a 1:03 bike split for 40km in a triathlon. Sadly, right after that my legs gave in and the 10km run turned into a death march.
What was your worst day on the bike? Ironman Germany in July 2008: despite all my careful bike training and preparation for my first IM, I failed to notice that my tires needed replacing and thus blew out my rear tire after a cobblestone section at mile 25. Went from 500th to nearly last place overall as I sat by the road waiting for the bike support van, only to find there were no spare 650cc tires. With the help of a Clif bar wrapper and some duct tape, I finished the 112 mile bike leg in 7:14. Actual time spent riding: 5:45. As a consolation, I overtook nearly 400 people again on the run, managing a 4:03 marathon split. My Ironman score is yet to be settled, however; UK 2009 will be a chance to redeem myself and have a serious go at qualifying for Kona.
Any favourite pro or inspiration? Pros are fun to watch, but my true inspiration comes from ordinary mortals who combine a full-time job and family responsibilities with serious training, and still manage to put down great results. I'm also in awe of my Dutch triathlon teammates for their pure strength and endurance on the bike - their years and years of cycling daily on a heavy steel city bike translates into blazing fast bike splits, even in hilly races.
What is your favourite bike food? Hammer Nutrition's Perpetuem and Gel mixed together in a flask that sits on my top tube (AKA "baby food" as someone on a club run once remarked). A bowl of hot soup on cold days or an ice-cold Coke on hot days is a treat, as is everything I get to eat when I'm finished a long ride.
Where is your favourite cycling location? Mallorca has a bit of everything -- towns, rolling hills, flatlands, narrow country roads and even a col or two. And cyclists outnumber the cars in the spring.
Most likely to say:Usually something containing four-letter words (but I'm trying to cut back!)
Least likely to say:"No thanks, I've had enough chocolate!"
Previous interviews
Kingston Wheelers ©2009 | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Links