One of SKCC’s newest members, Raine Gaisford, has discovered how welcoming a bunch we can be, slotting right into the Breeze along the Boulie rides on Tuesday mornings, and last Saturday, joining some 40 friendly faces at the 2014 SKCC women’s networking lunch, held at Sapore in St Kilda. The keynote speaker was our own Jo Hogan, who gave a frank and uncut account of her work to transition from club A-Grader to professional, and the travails in between.

We’ll let Raine tell you briefly in her own words:

If you’re a female SKCCer and you missed the women’s networking lunch held on the 25th of October I strongly encourage you to attend the next one! It was an afternoon of sensory delight, inspiration and joy. From the moment I walked into the warm, sun drenched room overlooking the St Kilda foreshore I was consistently as impressed by the thoughtfulness and detail that went into organising the event, as I was by the remarkable women who attended.

The two course lunch and endless flow of bubbles by the friendly staff at Sapore was by no means the greatest highlight of the afternoon, nor was winning one of many fantastic prizes up for grabs. Rather, the quality of women and the passion they all have for cycling (and nutrition) was what really stood out.

What was seemingly a group of everyday ladies turned out to be an eclectic mixture of successful, driven and motivated women brought together through a love of cycling and an impressive women’s sub- committee. Thank you to Jo Hogan for sharing her inspiring and uncut journey into racing, and a very special chapeau to Gaelene, Liz and Kate for organising such a wonderful afternoon. Additionally, our gratitude goes to Health.com.au and the amazing and supportive people that donated such sought after prizes for the guests.

As a new member of SKCC, although not new to cycling or other sporting clubs, I can honestly say that my experience has been second to none and I can’t wait to meet other members. See you on the bike!

Raine pictured with her prize of a voucher from Chokolat.