Bunch Ride Finder was lucky enough this week to catch up with Australia’s Rachel Neylan. From runner turned cyclist, in late 2008, the passionate and ambitious 28 year old has promptly progressed to international racing. With a recent top 10 result in her European debut we got the skinny on what Rachel thinks about the cycling scene….

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent ( OS and Australia )
I always do the SASI (South Aus Sport Institute) Cycling squad bunch rides wed and sun from Cibo Melbourne St Adelaide. I will often do the fast and furious time trial bunch from the city to outer harbor on a saturday morning.

Q: What’s your favorite bunch ride?
A tough long Sunday SASI bunch ride in the Adelaide hills.

Q: What annoys you about riding with the general public?
Nothing, I enjoy seeing all sorts of people riding to keep fit whatever their age or fitness level, as long as they are obeying the road rules!

Q: What what do you like about riding with non-pros?
I enjoy frequent opportunities to ride with non pros. I can learn so many things from meeting and chatting to others from all different walks, travels, locations and professions.. I love to hear other peoples great life stories.

Q: What’s your favourite after ride coffee shop?
Cibo Espresso, Melbourne St North Adelaide! (BRF Note: It’s our favourite when in Adeliade too – Rachel has good taste!)

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
Yes, always at least twice per week. Especially training with males or stronger riders lifts performance. Fast bunch rides are great to push leg speed.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit 3mins? 5 mins?
5min is fair but I think it depends on the type of bunch and level of experience. Although on a fast TT style bunch ride there is no stopping so be prepared for a solo return!

Q: What are your pet hates with bunch rides?
When riders do not obey road rules or give cars respect – we cannot demand respect from them if we do not display it. Also when safety is not prioritised i.e. diligence with pointing out obstacles etc.  (BRF Note: We totally agree here, just check out the recent Cycling Tips post on the Hell Ride just the other day when ‘the bunch goes down’ check out Cycling Tips by clicking here)

Q: Is there any rule that you think all bunch rides should abide by?
Obey every road rule, never run red lights, ensure new riders are well informed on etiquette, respect cars and motorists, wave & thank cars when they slow or let you change lanes!

Q: Women Participation, what do you think would help get more women to join in the local bunch rides?
More sharing of information through forums / websites on;
- where to find bunch rides that suit the individual rider
- step by step tips on how to get to a level to be competent and comfortable riding in a bunch i.e. etiquette, a set of basic skills, to practice clipping out and stopping suddenly.
- encouraging people by highlighting the benefits of bunch rides – to learn skills, safety, to push fitness.

Q: Have you found the ‘boys’ in the bunch to be friendly and supportive – or the opposite?
I have been really well welcomed into the cycling community especially in Adelaide, but on a whole wherever I am other riders are always very supportive. I have only had had many positive experiences of people sharing advice, knowledge and insights into the cycling world.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the year and for the 2011 season?
I am aiming for a result in a UCI race here and ultimately 2010 world championships selection in October. I am aiming to gain a professional contract with a UCI team in 2011.

Q: Coming from a running background, what similarities have you found between Running and Cycling
Similarities physically are the importance of power to weight and strength endurance especially for climbing. I have also been able to transfer the importance of off bike extras – stability / strength and flexibility practices.

Q: Winning the Amy Gillet Scholarship must have quite a honour, how do you think this will help your racing?
The AGF scholarship is indeed a real honour and a fantastic opportunity which will give me support to race part time with the AIS / National team in Europe during the 2010 season.

The opportunity to ride a Bianchi T Cube 928, such a top quality road bike will also obviously be a great asset to my racing.

The AGF sponsors Bianchi, AIS, Cycling Australia, Cycling Adventures, and Oakley have all been fantastic in contributing their support.

Want to know more about Rachel? She has a fantastic website – click here
Like to learn more about the Amy Gillet Foundation and the AGF Scholarship? – click here

Bunch Ride Finder were lucky enough to have a chat with RaphaCondor Team member Ben Greenwood.

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent?
When I’m in Lancaster I’ll go out on the Lune RCC club ride. When I’m in Manchester I do a group ride with the other local pros including Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Ben Swift, Rob Hayles and Rob Partridge. (We’ll locate those rides and add them to the site – BunchRideFinder)

Q: What’s your favourite bunch ride?
The bunch rides round Doncaster are really good. Lots of good pros from Yorkshire go out on them as well as lots of local guys. It can be harder than a race sometimes.

Q: What annoys you about riding in the bunch with the average punter?
People who don’t ride at a consistent speed, always speeding up then slowing down. Riders who try to overtake on a descent even when you’re going round the corners fast, I know my limits, sometimes the average punters don’t know theirs.

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
Yes, I like to ride in a bunch, especialy in the winter when I need to do long rides without any structure. I enjoy the social side of the ride and it makes 5 hours go much quicker.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit to change a tyre 3mins? 5 mins?
I wouldn’t have a time limit. The quicker it gets done the quicker you can leave, so if they’re struggling then help out. You should never leave someone who’s punctured. If it’s taking more than 5 mins though. you’re doing something wrong.

Q: What are you pet hates with bunch rides?

Riders who start out as if it’s a race then blow halfway through meaning you have to keep waiting for them. There’s no prizes in a bunch ride so trying to show off and impress everyone isn’t a good idea. Particually if you can’t maintain the silly pace you’re setting anyway.

Q: When you were in Australia, did you get a chance to get out for a ride with any local bunches?
Not really. We went out for a ride the day before the Sun Tour with the Garmin and Jelly Belly teams down Beach Road in St Kilda. I couldn’t believe how many riders and groups there were on a Saturday morning. We caught quite a few guys who joined in giving them a chance to ride next to Bradley Wiggins.

Q: After crashing out of the Sun Tour, how are your going? Are you back on the bike?
When I crashed I landed face first. Luckily the damage to my face has healed quickly. I also bruised my hip pretty badly and it’s now 2 weeks after the crash and I’m still struggling. I haven’t ridden yet but I hope to do some easy riding within a week or so.

Q: What are your goals for  2010 season?
My biggest goal is to enjoy myself. Things haven’t gone too well for me over the last couple of years with so many injuries so I want a year without any misfortune so I can do what I enjoy most which is riding my bike fast. A win in the British National Champs would be nice though as it’s in my home county of Lancashire in 2010.

Q: What where your thoughts on the Aussie cycling Scene?
From what I saw on Beach Road, cycling in Australia, particually Melbourne is going strong. Rapha has just launched in Australia and from what I’ve seen they are going to have alot of success. The race scene seems pretty good, the Aussie domestic teams are certainly strong. The Tour of Tasmania was harder than any UK domestic race I’ve done and there’s so many talented youngsters. Richard Lang is certainly a rider to watch out for. We had an Aussie in Rapha Condor this year, Darren Lapthorne, and he made such a good impression we’ve got at least 3 Aussies for next year.

Q: What’s the plans for the off season?
After my crash I’ve been forced into a break and I’m going to Tenerife in the Canary Islands for a holiday in November so I’ll start riding again after that. I will mostly concentrate on endurance before we have our team training camps in January and February.

A big thanks to Ben for taking the time to talk with us – we’ll buy you a Schooner next time your down Under!

Check out Ben’s Website for even more behind the scene news.
Check out the RaphaCondor Team website -  probably the coolest team kit in the peloton?
Images Copyright CyclingTips – Thanks guys.