The Weekly Rider -Caz Whitehead

Caz Whitehead is the Weekly Rider! She claims to have recently moved to Adelaide to pursue study... but there's got to be some cycling influence there to.... She's studying with the very long distance hope of understanding the workings of the brain. She's always keen to make sure Toby the Kelpie (Toby Pup on Strava) is kept fit and happy... he's a brilliant trail pal.

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Name: Caz Whitehead

Where do you live: Adelaide, South Australia

Dream Bike

Juliana Furtado. I've always wanted a trail bike, and this one is the most gorgeous. Also, I saw a tour guide lady on one in NZ; she was a completely amazing rider, and the bike looked incredible to ride. I'd definitely get it in "blue raspberry," because that colour looks amazing!

What is your favourite local ride?

Adelaide has a lot of absolutely fantastic options - it's hard to pick just one. So, for road, probably a short loop out to Old Norton, and up the dirt road that goes to the Skye Lookout. Then it's a steep descent and back down to coffee. Fox Creek is my choice for MTB - weaving in and out of pine forest up there is brilliant. My favourite trail would either be Immaculate Compaction or the awesome duo of Ant Logic & Climbing Ivy.

What is your current cycling goal?

I never really set real distance goals. I used to have a 15,000km/y goal, but mountain biking really destroys that. Basically my goal is to enjoy my cycling.

When I am on the bike I....

...Seem to always grin ear-to-ear. I don't feel like I'm doing it, but all the photos seem to look like this, so it must happen.

How did your love of bikes come about?

Accidentally. I bought a step-through from eBay for $100, just to beat the trains into Melbourne city. I loved it so much, I had to get a faster bike. The rest is obvious.

Share a cycling memory

Cycling through India would certainly have to be a highlight. Although there was numerous challenges (I was ill, and was trying to carry a 3kg camera on my bike, all while trying to dodge potholes that could swallow a bike), it was an absolutely life-changing experience. The people are so friendly, the food is mind-blowing, and the general experience of zipping through the streets with every other conceivable type of vehicle is a thrill. Recommended highly.

I love to ride because....

...It feels like being a kid again. I've always wanted to be able to fly, and this is pretty close.

Thanks to My Mountain in Melbourne for helping me to get a bunch of ladies into mountain biking. So many of them have gone on to do things I could never have dreamt of. And thanks to Monza for some lovely SRAM gear that doesn't seem to ever wear out.