She Rides on the Boulie: Celebrating 10 years of empowering female cyclists 

There aren’t many people who would say the highlight of their ride was getting a flat tyre and having to change it, but that’s not the case for Alison Raaymakers, and Lisa Byrne, founding members of She Rides On the Boulie bunch ride.

It’s been 10 years since the ladies group ride was started by the members of St Kilda Cycling Club and it continues to this day, every Tuesday morning along Yarra Boulevard in Melbourne, even when the temperature dips to almost freezing in winter.   

Reflecting on some of the highlights over the past decade, Alison recalls a time the infamous ‘Boulie tacker’ was laying tacks on the boulevard to sabotage cyclists.  

“We refused to be held to ransom by the Boulie tacker, so continued to ride right through that period, taking it as an opportunity for some tube changing masterclasses (although four to five punctures in one ride might mean an early coffee),” Alison recalls. 

“One of the absolute highlights was having had a couple of punctures on one ride and fixing them - each lady was responsible for changing her own tubes (under instruction if need be). One of them come back the next week and excitedly announced that she’d been able to rescue a guy on the side of the road when he didn’t know how to change his tube.”

Lisa Byrne and Alison Raaymakers leading one of the very first Breeze Along the Boulie rides 10 years ago. Picture: Supplied
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It was fundamental skills like changing a tube, learning how to ride in a bunch or using clip-in pedals that formed the foundation of the She Rides the Boulie ride (formerly Breeze Along the Boulie).

“Cycling Victoria launched the Breeze program in 2012 basing it on the British program of the same name, targeted at offering fun, free, inclusive led bike rides for women of all abilities - by women, for women. They were offering coach accreditation to people interested in getting on board the initiative. Cycling Victoria board member Monique Hanley was undoubtably the champion of the program,” Alison recalls.

“Lisa Byrne (also on the former Cycling Victoria Board, and later board chair) and I were training together at the time, and started considering ways we could use some of our training time to upskill more female cyclists, provide a support group for them to tackle the very dark early morning roads of Kew Boulie, plus have coffee company post ride as well.”

From there the Breeze Along the Boulie ride was born. 

Helen Johnson was one of the first women to join the ride back in 2014. She was looking for some company rather than riding alone. She has since progressed to being one of the group leaders. 

“I learned a great deal about riding a bike from Lisa (Byrne), Alison and Carol (Cooke). Cornering, descending, how to use my gears, riding in all sorts of weather conditions and bike maintenance, especially the essential changing of a flat tube. My confidence as a cyclist grew immensely and now I am one of the ride leaders,” Helen said.

Helen Johnson learning how to change a tyre after getting a puncture. Picture: Supplied

But it’s more than just riding a bike for the group. One of the most important elements of She Rides On the Boulie is the social aspect and the friendships the women make along the way. And what would a bunch ride be without a post-ride coffee?

“It's a very social ride, and the post ride coffee plays an important role. It also gives everyone a chance to catch up and share tips,” Helen said.

“What I have enjoyed, along with watching confidence grow, are the friendships and connections that are made. Group members will organise rides together on the weekend for example. It really is a community.”

10 years on and still going strong, She Rides On the Boulie is more than just a ride, it's about friendship and community. Picture: Ernesto Arriagada

It’s a club ride even champion para-cyclist Carol Cooke joins every Tuesday morning. Having started out 10 years ago, she is now a ride leader herself, and says even when she is no longer racing she will never stop doing the Boulie ride.

“I can honestly say that this is one group who has helped me get to the heights of my career,” she said.

“As a para-cyclist I used to just ride the Boulie on my own. I ended up joining SKCC after the London Paralympics and every woman I met on this ride was welcoming.  It didn't matter that I rode a trike or that I was slower than everyone.

“It never mattered how slow or fast you were, there is always a ride leader to stay with you.

“I've seen women come along to this group wearing sand shoes and progressing to clip ins and racing.  One woman at the start was so nervous and is now riding 3 Peaks and doing things that she never thought she would be doing.”

She Rides On the Boulie celebrated 10 years since it first started with a ride and morning tea on Sunday. Picture: Ernesto Arriagada

Alison said it had been rewarding to see the progress of women when they first start out with the ride to progressively building confidence on the bike.

“We love encouraging riders to look back at how far they have come. It is inspiring to see them progress from nervously having the courage to join a group of random strangers on a dark corner, in an unknown suburb, before sunrise, to being the welcoming faces themselves.”

For more information about the ride check out the group's Facebook page or email [email protected]

Main photo: Celebrating 10 years of She Rides On the Boulie on Sunday. Credit: Ernesto Arriagada