QUEENS CATCH UP: LUCIA OLES
In this week’s Queens Catch Up, we introduce you to the North Auckland resident, who’s determination and drive sees her accomplish anything she puts her mind to. Whether that be bodybuilding, racing, or the hardest job in the world, being a mom, Lucia Oles excels in every area. And most recently, she’s finished on top in the 2019 NZ Hard Enduro Series in the Woman’s class. Here is her story.
Name: Lucia
Location: Kaukapakapa, Auckland
Bike: KTM 150 XCW
Been riding for: About 11 years
Firstly, congrats on winning this year’s Woman’s class in the NZ Hard Enduro Series - you must be pretty happy with that?
Thanks. Yes definitely happy, it was my first championship series and I was simply hoping for a top 10 finish. To come first and be competitive among the guys in bronze was the icing on the cake.
This is the first year in a few that you’ve been back doing a lot more racing right?
Yes, I took time out to pursue some other hobbies and then to have a baby. I was back on the bike three weeks after having a baby girl - the first race when she was 11 weeks and the first Hard Enduro (FTE Husqvarna Hard Adventure Enduro 2017) when she was five months old. I’ve lost a lot of girlfriends who I used to ride with to babies! So I want to show other young women that having kids doesn’t have to stop you from doing all the things you love - and especially no reason to stop riding.
Because you aren’t new to the racing scene for those who don’t know - you’ve been racing and riding for a long long time.
Riding for over a decade but the racing has been sporadic. The first lot of racing I did was between 2009 to 2012, mostly the novice ladies/junior classes at the Woodhill 2-Man Series and GNCC. Then I had a four year break from racing from 2013 - 2017.
During which time you became a competitive bodybuilder…
Yes. I got into competitive fitness/bodybuilding in 2013. I competed seven times over two years. In 2013 I was runner up for Women’s Novice Figure at the NZ Nationals, and I also won the NZ Fitness Expo competition becoming a global brand ambassador for Optimum Nutrition. In 2014 I won the New Zealand WFF Fitness Model class and went on to place 5th at the World Championships.
Riding went downhill those years, aside from the competitions and training keeping me busy, I would also lack the strength and energy required for endurance riding. Sitting at very low body fat 10-12% isn’t really advisable for a woman or healthy for the hormones and thyroid. After the world championships I took time off to have my ACL reconstructed (old motorbike injury) and decided I would rather have fun on my bike again instead of worrying about constantly having to be extremely lean and all that restrictive eating and training that comes with the lifestyle.
So going back in time a bit…how did you get into riding dirt bikes and who encouraged you?
I started riding when I moved here from Australia with a previous boyfriend. We didn’t have many friends and thought it would be a good way to meet people. As it happens he was actually a relative of Michael Bennett, another fellow dirt biker who’s known in the circles, and who runs The Farm at Whangaruru. We went up there and had a go and I’ve been hooked ever since. I still go to Mike’s Farm several times a year - it’s the best place ever! So many great tracks and fantastic company.
So then what was your very first bike?
A KX85, it was awful…! My very first ride I hit the power band and wrapped myself around a tree.
What was the first thing you learned when you started riding?
Probably how to change gears…?
Anything you wished you knew or someone had told you when you started riding?
Not to buy a KX85! Totally the wrong bike. I had it for 5 months before buying a KXF250. It also wasn’t the best bike, but 100 times better and I started enjoying riding a lot more.
What did you find easy right from the get go with riding dirt bikes?
Nothing! It was hard. I was always falling off, covered in bruises and getting stuck everywhere.
What do you still struggle with when out on the trail?
My height. I’m 159cm (5’2) and I don’t lower my bikes which gets especially hard with the terrain I like to ride. I won’t lower my bikes though…the intention has been to focus on balance and technique to get me through instead of constantly touching the ground.
What is the best tip/trick/piece of advice you have had over your riding career?
Momentum is your best friend.
Why are you riding the bike you are on right now, and what do you like most about it?
I ride the KTM150 because it’s light and has an electric start.
Would you change anything about your current bike if you could?
Not really, I’m pretty happy with it.
Do you have an all-time a dream bike you’d like to own?
MV Augusta Brutale 1000 RR… if it didn’t love dirt biking so much I would be out on the road more. I’ve got my full licence and a Triumph Street Triple but it’s only had about 1000kms put on it since new.
Where/who do you get your inspiration/advice/tips/ tricks from right now?
I watch a bit of stuff on the internet and have had the odd coaching session, but to be honest it’s been the weekend rides trying to keep up with the boys that’s been the biggest help. My partner Brad has always encouraged me to ride with him and his mates instead of leaving me to ride with ‘the girls’ (I don’t mean that to sound bad)… He has spent hours giving me tips and shown a lot of tough love not helping me when I get stuck. Pretty romantic huh!
What kind of riding do you enjoy doing the most?
Definitely the harder technical stuff. I’m not very confident with the fully-tapped out open races. I should probably do more MX and Cross Country events to work on my speed, but my happy place is somewhere six hours deep in a forest, surrounded by logs, rocks, ruts, trees, drop offs, hill climbs and no civilisation in sight - just me and some mates and our bikes.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other girls who were thinking about getting into dirt bikes?
Just give it a go, persist with it and enjoy it because we’re so lucky to live in a country where we have some of the best riding ever and it’s a great way to make friends.