Lauretta Howarth
Name: Lauretta Howarth
Occupation: Intensive Care Flight Paramedic
When I was a kid I tried to flush my cat down the toilet (it's OK - she survived and died of old age 16 years later)
I'd love to meet the dude who invented chamois cream so I could thank them.
When and why did you become interested in cycling? I quit smoking 12 years ago and started doing triathlons to improve my fitness and lung capacity. Prior to that the only bike I'd ever ridden was my little blue and yellow tricycle when I was a toddler
What do you think you get out of cycling? Fantastic health & fitness benefits, strong, lean legs & a tight butt! Cycling also gives me a great sense of achievement and self-satisfaction - there's nothing like the delicious full body exhaustion that you feel after a long, hard day in the saddle.
On average how many kilometres do you ride a week and with whom? Around 400km per week. Being a shift worker it's a challenge to establish a routine. My work requires me to be on call for eight consecutive days so a lot of my miles are done on my stationary trainer or rollers. I do as many rides as I can with my SheSpoke Croc Trophy crew and always jump at the challenge of sitting on the wheel of the strong male cyclists for race pace efforts.
Describe you most memorable ride? Tricky question - There are so many awesome trails right near my front door in the hills of incredible Far North Queensland's rainforests. Lots of steep hills but the scenery and the wildlife make every grinding pedal stroke worthwhile!
Give us a description of a ride you would rather forget? A 200k road ride into a 30 knot head wind in 36 degree heat with 90% humidity and granny gear hills that defy the principle of what goes up must come down.
What is your favourite post cycle beverage? Ribena with soda water & ice - Yumm!
What is your favourite cycle energy food? Red frogs
How do you cope with cold winter mornings? What's a cold winter morning?
Is there anything that can be done to improve the on road relationship between cyclists and motorists? Education on both sides. Cycling road rules need to be part of the theory and practical assessments for new drivers.
What advice can you give those who are thinking of taking up cycling? Stop thinking about it and get on ya bike!
Experience has taught me that: "We are like tea bags - we don't know our own strength until we're in hot water" - SisterBusche.
Who inspires you the most? Anyone who defies their destiny to achieve extraordinary things.
What is your life/cycle philosophy? Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways at the last minute, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO - That was fun!"
I often daydream about the day my butt will toughen up to the long days in the saddle.
When you are not cycling you are : pottering in the garden, exploring the trails around Cairns with my partner Kerrod and my dog Scooter, hanging out with friends, teaching spin classes, camping, running.
When all else fails: suck it up sister and keep on going.