Flick us a message to unlock your freedom on the bike! Jules Verheyen, Head Coach at Jules Cycling, has been a driving force in women’s cycling across the Illawarra region. Recognised by AusCycling in 2022 for her pivotal role in the UCI Road World Championships, Jules has also led the She Rides program, empowering hundreds of women to take up cycling and improve their skills. Jules Verheyen: My Story
My love for cycling started at a young age, but it truly kicked off in 2009 when my husband bought me my first alloy bike. I jumped straight into triathlons, using mountain bike cleats, and didn’t realise at the time how few women cyclists were around. With hardly anyone to ride with, I saw how much support was missing for female riders in the Illawarra, and that’s when I became determined to improve the community and support for women cyclists. I eventually had to step away from triathlons as my running abilities were limited after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome. But that didn’t stop me. I kept racing in club, state, and national events, and I’m proud to say I won a gold medal in the NSW Team Pursuit on the track and achieved plenty of other accolades. Cycling Australia took notice and brought me on board to run the She Rides coaching program. That’s when I started to build the Illawarra women’s cycling network. Since then, I’ve coached hundreds of women to overcome their fears, build skills, and create lifelong friendships. These days, I see many of the women I coached riding together in their own groups, enjoying laughs, coffees, and sharing their cycling journeys. The cycling community here in Wollongong is welcoming, vibrant, and supportive. My goal is to keep it growing and to continue celebrating women’s cycling for generations to come. Together, we’re building a strong and supportive community where all women can enjoy the ride!
