Q&A with Megan Scott – Sydney Uni Women’s Cycling Team

by | 20 Aug 2018 | cycling

Introducing Cyclist Megan Scott

Meet Megan Scott, the latest cyclist we put the spotlight on in our series with the Sydney Uni – Staminade women’s cycling team. A full-time lawyer and part-time cyclist, Megan sometimes wishes it was the other way around! Balancing a challenging career with cycling is sometimes not so easy but the time on the bike is always a welcome break from the stress of life.  Originally from the northern suburbs of Sydney, she was always involved in team sports at a young age and then later running. Megan found cycling a little later in life but that hasn’t stopped her competitive nature from finally finding herself competing again and racing with the Sydney Uni – Staminade team.
Staminade: How did your love of cycling begin?

Megan: I had been doing local rides and laps around the park for about a year, mostly to keep fitness while I was injured from running, until I finally plucked up the courage to and thought I was ready to do a “long ride”.  We rode to the Royal National Park, south of Sydney and it was absolutely stunning and so began my cycling adventures. 

Staminade: What are your top 5 tips for young aspiring cyclists?

Megan:

  1.  As I started cycling later in life I would have to say firstly, it is never too late.
  2.  Anything is possible.  Do not ever give up on your dreams or let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something.
  3.  Dedication and consistency is the key in your training on and off the bike.
  4.  Don’t be afraid to fail. It is only through failure that you learn and who knows you might succeed!
  5.  And of course, you have to be having fun. Make sure you stop and enjoy the ride.
Staminade: What’s it like being a female athlete in today’s society?

Megan: I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given.  However, there is always the ongoing challenge in cycling as in every sport of obtaining equal prize money for women, equal opportunities in racing, in events and distances.  I think we have come a long way from where we were and that there are a lot more opportunities and recognition than previously, but I think we have a long way to go to get to where we should be.  

What has been your greatest success to date?

 

Success to me is getting up every day no matter how you are feeling and going outside and training.  

Although maybe not my greatest but my most favourite success was coming in 2nd female overall in an amazing and unforgettable 7-day amateur stage race through the beautiful mountains of the Pyrenees.

Staminade: What’s your ultimate cycling goal?

Megan: I am living some of my goals right now… 

  1. To race in a team in the NRS 
  2. To compete against and meet some of the world’s best female cyclists
  3. To inspire other females like myself to take up cycling regardless of their age

 

Staminade: Who was your role model as an aspiring cyclist?

Megan: I am not sure I had a role model per se.  The people I looked up to and took advice from where those that were in my club or friends that I rode with that were more experienced than me or were doing things I wanted to do. 

Staminade: What’s your pre-event routine?

Megan: I always make sure I am organised with everything I need for the race, the night before if possible. I always try to eat a meal, eggs and a croissant is a favourite, 2 to 3 hours before a race, a banana shortly before a race and some coconut water.  If I had one focus it would be on making sure I eat and drink enough a day before an event and the morning of the event. 

Staminade: How does a typical training week look for you?

Megan: I am not sure I have a typical week and have only really been doing “structured workouts” more recently.  It will of course depend on the week, work, and life commitments but I will try to ride three mornings early before work, some hills or intervals, Saturday I may do a club ride or a speedy ride up the Northern beaches.  Sunday I try to get in a long ride and sometimes a really long adventure ride. 

Favourite part of training?

 

The long adventure rides – I am not sure that is officially “training”, but I love the long days on the bike with friends and seeing how you handle the tough situations.  It always makes for a good story.

Staminade: Hardest part of training and how you overcome the challenge?

Megan: Getting out of bed when it is cold, raining, dark, when you are tired or really just don’t feel like it.  I try not to let myself have an out.  I make sure everything is ready the night before and that no decisions need to be made in the morning.  If necessary, as in it is bucketing down outside, have a back-up plan and make sure you have everything ready for that too.  It makes is at least a little harder to say no.  

 

Staminade: What’s your favourite flavour of Staminade?

Megan: Wild Berry Rush – I love everything berries and this flavour is great!

 

Staminade: Staminade’s tagline is ‘First Aid for Thirst’, what does this mean to you?

Megan: Fuel and hydration is a critical a part of any physical activity.  Thirst is a physiological distress that an athlete will be exposed to during activity but with Staminade in your bottles, it is like having your own personal first aider to help treat that distress.  

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