Femke vs The Wind
@femkevsthewind
Nickname
Femke vs The Wind
Date of Birth
18 / 09 / 1996
Hometown
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Hi, Femke here! I live in the western part of the Netherlands, where the "Dutch Mountains," also known as the wind, are my main training partner. I used to get really frustrated with headwinds, but I've come to accept that the wind can actually make you stronger! My main goal is to improve my comfort on the bike, whether that's climbing mountains, enjoying long rides, or cycling with others.
People would probably describe me as a fair-weather cyclist, because in winter I often prefer an intense workout on the Kickr over riding in the icy cold. Maybe I should venture out more for those heroic winter rides this year, because the feeling you get afterward is fantastic. I love social rides that include a slice of apple pie along the way. I prefer long, steady climbs where I can find my rhythm, rather than the constant up-and-down of places like the Ardennes. And lastly: music over podcasts for me when I’m riding.
What are your biggest achievements on the bike?
Completing the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche. Watching the race on Saturday and then doing it yourself on Sunday! Grinding up those countless climbs with double-digit gradients, hoping you don’t get a flat tire on the white gravel roads, but most importantly, fully enjoying the Tuscan landscape and all the other cyclists around you. They’re suffering just as much as you are. You only truly appreciate how impressive the pros are after you’ve done it yourself!
Another important achievement, not measurable in speed or wattage, is that I can ride up the Stelvio with my breathing under control and without panicking about whether I’ll make it to the top. With all the races becoming longer, faster, and more extreme, I think beginner cyclists or those who ride just for fun might sometimes forget that being able to ride more comfortably than the year before is also an achievement!
What is your biggest goal this year?
At the moment, I'm focusing all my training on racing the Traka 100 km in May. It will be my first gravel race and the first time I've dedicated my training specifically to one event. I'm really enjoying the preparation and looking forward to the atmosphere on race day. In the end, it's a gravel race where anything can happen, so I'm just excited to see what I'm capable of!
That being said, I know myself, and I know that as soon as Traka is over, I'll be hungry for the next event! So I'm currently researching other gravel races in the Netherlands/Germany/Belgium region.
Who is your favorite riding buddy?
This is a tough one, but I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the No Ordinary Women Cycling Club in Amsterdam. It’s a group of passionate, strong, and fun women and non-binary people who are ALWAYS up for a ride. We’ve had some amazing rides together, and I’ve met some of my best friends through this group.
One of them is my training and racing buddy, Aster, with whom I’m currently spending a lot of time preparing for Traka. Recently, we were facing 20 km of wind and hail, and she looked at me and said, “Want to do 30-second intervals against the wind?” Who could say no to that, haha. It’s so much fun training with someone who helps push you just that little bit further every time. I’m really looking forward to racing with her at Traka.
What is your favorite route of place to ride?
Last year, I started gravel riding and immediately fell in love with the adventurous side of off-road cycling. Now, as I prepare for Traka, I'm trying to spend as much time on gravel as possible in preparation and am really enjoying the local technical MTB singletracks. Every turn keeps you on your toes, and I can feel myself getting stronger and smarter on the bike.
A few weekends ago, we went to Utrechtse Heuvelrug to do some 16 km MTB loops, and it was fantastic. Every descent, bump, and tree we dodged made me smile and got my heart racing!
What is your favorite BBB Cycling product ? And why?
I really love the combination of the StrikeDuo 1200 with the ErgoMount Duo! You can easily attach the front light under this mount for your bike computer without the hassle of straps around your handlebar, and it’s always perfectly aligned forward.
In the clothing category, I have another favorite: the FIRNeck. This neck warmer is made from a super soft fabric, so it feels incredibly comfortable. And it’s wonderfully warm!
