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| First women to ever race in the National Master's Track Championships |
Achievement beyond belief - Glynis Francis
I left my job in 2000, head of service in the public sector. In theory the best job in the country in my sector in 1997, turned out to be the worst career move I had ever made. I left within three years, having decided against opening up grievance against my employer. Three kids at different stages of going/at university so financially not the best time to walk away from an income. I got introduced to track cycling here in Manchester at the velodrome in Jan 2000 and by September at the age of 46 I had my first ever sporting achievement. I beat my American opponent in the women’s sprint at the World Master’s Cycling Track Championships 2000. I became the first Manchester and first British woman in the 45 – 49 age group to win a gold medal at the championships. Within a matter of months I went from feeling a complete failure to having a level of success that I could not have dreamed of. I could have been on anti depressants weaving raffia mats in some sort of occupational health group, instead I turned my frustration and perhaps anger in to sporting achievements – all be it cycling round in circles!
In training sessions I was often the only woman. I got to spend a lot of time with men in lycra – not something I had previously been looking for in my life, but they are some of the nicest blokes I have met. I uncovered a natural talent for speed on a bike which at 46+ felt a bit late in the day to be having sporting achievements and nurturing natural abilities.
I went on to compete with lots of success in 2001, 2002, 2003 both in national and world masters competition. I competed with Vicki Pendleton, our GB number 1, World and Olympic Track Champion, at national track championships. She came first in the 500m time trial and I came 6th and we also competed in the national women’s 800m grass track championships where she got the gold medal and me the bronze which is beyond belief given I was old enough to be her mum. I also went over to Australia and competed in the World Masters Games in 2002 and won all my events at the same time I got a job with Boots and their health and wellbeing services as a ‘happy life coach’. Success breeds success.
Whilst I have always had a bike I had no sporting history what so ever.
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| Lap of Honour at World Master's Track Championships |
I left my job in 2000, head of service in the public sector. In theory the best job in the country in my sector in 1997, turned out to be the worst career move I had ever made. I left within three years, having decided against opening up grievance against my employer. Three kids at different stages of going/at university so financially not the best time to walk away from an income. I got introduced to track cycling here in Manchester at the velodrome in Jan 2000 and by September at the age of 46 I had my first ever sporting achievement. I beat my American opponent in the women’s sprint at the World Master’s Cycling Track Championships 2000. I became the first Manchester and first British woman in the 45 – 49 age group to win a gold medal at the championships. Within a matter of months I went from feeling a complete failure to having a level of success that I could not have dreamed of. I could have been on anti depressants weaving raffia mats in some sort of occupational health group, instead I turned my frustration and perhaps anger in to sporting achievements – all be it cycling round in circles!
In training sessions I was often the only woman. I got to spend a lot of time with men in lycra – not something I had previously been looking for in my life, but they are some of the nicest blokes I have met. I uncovered a natural talent for speed on a bike which at 46+ felt a bit late in the day to be having sporting achievements and nurturing natural abilities.
I went on to compete with lots of success in 2001, 2002, 2003 both in national and world masters competition. I competed with Vicki Pendleton, our GB number 1, World and Olympic Track Champion, at national track championships. She came first in the 500m time trial and I came 6th and we also competed in the national women’s 800m grass track championships where she got the gold medal and me the bronze which is beyond belief given I was old enough to be her mum. I also went over to Australia and competed in the World Masters Games in 2002 and won all my events at the same time I got a job with Boots and their health and wellbeing services as a ‘happy life coach’. Success breeds success.
Whilst I have always had a bike I had no sporting history what so ever.
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| Kerrie (Australia), Glynis (GB) and Marion (Netherlands) 500m Time Trail Silver, Gold and Bronze winners |
We will be making social history in having 100+ women together with their bikes, here in Manchester. It is also the centenary of International Women’s Day, which of course was on the 8th March and my 100/100 Glow is intended to keep the spirit going through to September. I would like this to be my contribution to women’s achievements in 2011. At the same time I am challenging British Cycling at the lack of women on their board yet in January they were awarded £1m lottery money to get more women into cycling!!!
As has been said by cycling sisters in the National Cycling Clarion back in 1939 ‘ we have nothing to lose but our chains’
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| Glynis (GB) and Terry (USA) with our combined 'bling' at the World Master's Games Melbourne 2002 |
Glynis Francis
6th April 2011
