Rolling with the Riptide
Cyclist talks about joys of riding and women's involvement in sport
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

Members of Riptide Cycling, a racing team that maintains a roster of women at various riding levels, ride through Monmouth County.

UPPER FREEHOLD - Fast, fit and over 50.

That's one way to describe township resident Audrey Wendolowski, a member of Riptide Cycling, a women's bicycleracing team sponsored by Brielle's Riptide Cycling and other Monmouth County-based companies.

Bicycle racing is made up of various categories ranging from the professional/ elite level in categories 1 and 2 to other levels in categories 3, 4 and 5, with age groups for juniors through masters.

Riptide Cycling focuses on maintaining a roster of women riders, and its key interest is to provide support for women at all levels of competition in the sport of bicycle racing. The team set a goal for 2007 to transform its local racing program into a well-known program throughout the tristate area. The team believes it has accomplished this goal.

Riptide Cycling has transformed itself from a brand-new team to one that placed second in overall team rankings for the MAXXIS Garden State Cup. The team is also proud to have a New Jersey State Road Race Champion (Category 4), a New Jersey State Masters Road Race Champion (Masters 45-plus), and a second place award for the New Jersey State Individual Time Trial Championship finish (Women's 30-plus).

Audrey Wendolowski (l), of Upper Freehold, and Carol Lanza, of Hamilton, ride with other members of Riptide Cycling.

"We have undoubtedly built a reputation through conquering [the 2007] goal and will continue to strive forward into building a solid foundation to dominate New Jersey women's racing," a recent team press release states.

Wendolowski has been riding a bike all her life. After spending her 20s and early 30s running competitively, she began doing duathlons, which are events that combine running and bike racing, with the cycling in between two legs of running.

"When I turned 40, a gift from my husband of a new titanium bicycle inspired me to begin bike racing," she said. " I raced for about five years, then went back to duathlon, and here I am again bike racing at age 52."

Wendolowski joked that 52 sounds old, but said, "There are a few of us grande dames still duking it out with the kids."

She views her role on the team as someone who should help younger women any way she can.

"I've had my time," she said. "Now it's theirs - though my competitive spirit still prods me to do the best I can."

She continued, "Maybe that's how I help them. They see this 'old' lady racing and say, 'Hey, she's old enough to be my mom. I can't let her show me up. I better pick up the pace.' "

For Wendolowski, summer training generally consists of cycling about 10 hours per day. Winter training usually involves cycling for the same number of hours but also includes doing gym work, spinning and yoga classes, and mountain biking.

On any weekend in good weather, the roads of Millstone and Upper Freehold are filled with cyclists. When asked about her favorite routes in the area, Wendolowski said that she tries to stay off County Routes (CR) 524, 526, 537 and 539. She said there is entirely too much traffic on these roadways today and that the best rides and most scenic routes are along Hill, Emleys Hill and Rues roads in Upper Freehold and Backbone Hill and Agress roads in Millstone.

"Just love those hills," she said.

Carol Lanza, 59, of Hamilton, is also a Riptide member who does a great deal of riding through the areas of Allentown, Cream Ridge and Imlaystown. She often rides on CR 524 and CR 539.

"There is a good shoulder, and the traffic is not too heavy," Lanza said. "We are able to alternate the route depending on distance and can easily add Turkey Swamp and Assunpink."

While there are many good reasons to exercise, Wendolowski feels that cycling in particular is a great sport for women. The sport improves body composition and weight, engenders a positive outlook on life and increases self-confidence, she said.

"For women, cycling really took off in the 1890s," she said. "The 'safety' bicycle was invented, and unlike the high-wheel models, it had wheels of equal size, a chain drive and air-filled tires."

When cycling became accessible to women, she said, they seized the opportunity to ride.

"As a result, women's rights advocates touted the bicycle as the implement of power for women," she said. "And indeed it was. Women were liberated from the corset and could experience the unfettered joy of riding a bicycle wearing a divided skirt or bloomers. What freedom!"

When asked how a beginner should get started, she said it depends on what level of riding the woman wants to do.

"If a woman is interested in noncompetitive cycling, a good place to start looking for rides is at a local cycling club like the Princeton Freewheelers," she said. "There are ranges of rides from beginner to expert to suit every rider's ability."

Women interested in racing can contact a team via the New Jersey Bicycling Association. Many teams, she said, will work with a person on her specific racing goals.

"Our team, Riptide Cycling, has women in age [ranging] from teenagers to a grandmother," she said.

The fit of a bike is crucial to the enjoyment of riding, she said.

"A good bike shop like our sponsor, Brielle Cyclery, can properly fit the woman and provide the cycling equipment to meet her needs and her budget," she said. "The most important piece of equipment [is] a helmet. Always, always wear a helmet."

Lanza said she would also advise anyone interested in cycling to start out by going to a qualified bike shop.

"The shop would be able to advise them on the appropriate bike for them," Lanza said, "and also let them know of rides in the area."

Lanza stressed the importance of having equipment that fits properly, both for safety and comfort.

"You are not going to enjoy the sport if you are riding a bike that is not fit to you properly," she said. "You will develop little aches and pains that will discourage you from cycling."

She added, "Yes, there is always some discomfort when starting any exercise program, but you should not have pain."