From the very beginning, it was clear that this year’s championship in the women’s category would be a battle among four cyclists: two Norwegians from Furuset and Iveland, Ruth from Dunkirk Memorial House, and a competitor from Bruyere Village who has made it to the podium in recent years.
Decisive Third Week
In the third week, Ruth launched a strong push, gaining a significant lead over her competitors. She never gave up that lead.
- I've actually cycled every day this past year, almost without exception. In the six weeks leading up to the competition, I cycled longer and longer to prepare for those long days, says Ruth, who had set a clear goal to repeat her success from last year - to become world champion again. She isn’t one to settle for second place.
- Second place is the same as last place for me.
Ruth has no qualms admitting that she went all in to win.
- In the third week, I just kept cycling and wouldn’t get off the bike. The staff thought I was going to die on the bike, but I didn’t,” smiles the double world champion.
Best cyclist
Not only did Ruth win the women’s category, but she was also the top cyclist across all categories.
- Beating the men isn’t a problem. They always seem to get pain in the knee or an elbow, so beating them was the easy part. It’s tougher to beat the women. I knew the Norwegian and Canadian challengers are always strong toward the end, so I just had to get ahead of them and stay there.
The Motiview films make it easier to stay motivated during long sessions, and Ruth prefers watching films from Norway or England.
Her high level of activity has also inspired others to start cycling at Dunkirk Memorial House.
- It’s great to see. New residents have come in after me and started cycling, saying they want to keep it up.
Read: 8 laps around the globe
WORLD CHAMPION: Ruth Varcoe together with President of the Road Worlds for Seniors, Jan Inge Ebbesvik (left), and Torbjørn Langeland CEO Motitech at the award.