I was impressed by Annia's determination to get into cycling, as it was quite new to her at that time. She's made lots of progress and is doing some pretty decent times in her time trials.
Annia Modlinksky, aged 42
From: Matanzas, Cuba
Lives: Timperley, near Altrincham, Cheshire
Occupation: Self-employed manicurist (including nail extensions), and pedicurist
I am originally from Cuba and was born in a town called Colon,
Matanzas province. I have lived in Manchester since 1998 when I came from Cuba with
my ex-husband, a Mancunian, whom I met over there.
My childhood was lovely, and my education in Cuba was great. It
is not a developed country but I had the basics. Life in Cuba can be as tough
or as easy as you make it, and as Cubans we are brought up to believe in ourselves, smile, and be friendly.
I didn’t do any competitive cycling at all when I lived in Cuba,
just cycling to get from A to B. Cycling is not such a popular sport, as people
are more interested in baseball or basketball.
At the time when I lived in Cuba, there were no cycling clubs.
Perhaps some have formed in the last 15 years, but I don’t know of any. In any case
the number of professional cyclists in Cuba is pretty low. Some people are
interested in cycling but it is difficult to pursue as an elite sport due to
the lack of facilities needed to develop.
In the last couple of years when I have visited Cuba I have been
cycling, and it is quite a contrast to cycling in Manchester, as you would
expect! I have gotten used to cycling in the cold, rain, and wind in
Manchester, whereas in Cuba I have to cope with 70–80%
humidity and extreme heat, especially between May and July. For that reason my rides
have to start at around 5:30/6:00 am and I get in a one-and-a-half hour bike
ride, if staying in the town. Otherwise, I head towards the beach where I can
ride for a little longer.
The other difference is that the roads in Cuba are less
congested than in Manchester. Even in Havana it is reasonably easy to get
around by bike. Car drivers are more cycle friendly than in Manchester, and
there is plenty of space on the road for cyclists.
Nowadays I do time trialling. I started doing them last year and
enjoyed it so much I decided to focus on that, training for them over the Winter
to get me ready for the Spring and Summer events. What I really enjoy about
time trialling is reaching a high speed on my bike on the aero bars. It’s a
great feeling! It’s hard, but very
rewarding once you finish a race.
In Summer I usually try and do a training ride at least three
times a week. My rides are generally short with interval efforts, either on my
own or ride with friends. In Winter I try
to keep up with the rides, weather-permitting, but I prefer to use my turbo
trainer. The sessions are tough, but all worthwhile to keep me fit for Summer
rides and events.
I love the scenery that Cheshire possesses. There are many
narrow lanes but they are generally pretty, quiet and full of friendly cyclists. I can’t really say the same about cars, in
terms of being cycling friendly but it is getting better. I have my favourite
Cheshire routes and never get bored of riding them again and again. Artists
Lane in Alderley Edge and The Brickworks, near Bollington have become addictive
to ride! They are tough hills, but not impossible. You always get a good
feeling when you reach the end of both.
As a woman riding on my
own, I have to be prepared for the encounters that cycling can have. I never
leave my saddle bag behind without my essentials: inner tubes, tyre levers,
money (small change), mobile phone.
Also, a small air pump, bottles of water, and a few packets of cereal
bars.
Manchester Wheelers, where I am a member, is a great club to
belong to and cycle with. They have
cycling events going on all year round to choose from. I have done a few events
with them this year and last year, and they were all good fun.
Being a single mum is hard, but I try to be as well-organised as
possible. Taking care of my daughter and providing for her is my top priority.
I have just started studying full-time, which makes it even
busier for me to find the spare time to ride my bikes. On top of that I run a
small part-time business from home, so every single day for me is a challenge.
My eight-year-old daughter, Lara had learnt to ride a bike by
the time she was four. I guess she didn’t have much of choice, having both
parents completely devoted to cycling! However, she’s not really into cycling
unfortunately.
She has travelled with myself and my ex-husband in the past to watch
many cycling events and races, including The Tour of France. She has been a spectator in many of the
events I have taken part in, and even been with me when I was marshalling at
the club events.
Being a single mum means that she sometimes has to sit beside my
turbo trainer reading a book whilst I do a session, and she has even mentioned
that she would like to try the turbo one day. But she has shown no interest in
taking part in a race yet. Football seems to be her inclination at the moment.
Having said that, Lara cycles to school, and does off-road
leisurely rides. She has even ridden some long distances with her dad. They did
a two-day cycling trip to Southport last year, which involved doing about 30
miles a day. At that time she was seven years old, which is fantastic for her
age.
For me, the most important thing is that Lara enjoys practising
a sport, no matter what. There are many ways to be competitive and I think she
is too young to be pushed towards cycling. I think interest will drive
competition and she will only work that out herself. She might one day realise
that cycling is more fun than what she thought, and the ambition to practise it
at a competitive level might start from there.
Cycling is my passion. I have met some wonderful people on the
way, and they have even taught me to dress up according to the weather, and how
to keep fit and healthy! My bikes are always at the ready to sneak in a ride
at any time of the day when I get a spare moment. I can’t believe my bikes have
taken me to places I only previously dreamed of going to.
Other Cycling Voices
Rebecca Charlton
Ayesha McGowan
Peggy Crome
Gema Fernandez Hernando
Giorgia Bronzini
Tracy Moseley
Geraldine Glowinski
Emily Chappell
Michelle Webster
Grace and Lucy Garner
Hannah Bussey
Carolyn Hewett-Maessen
Caroline Martinez
Niusha Doyom
Maria David
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