Silvie's winning moment 💚
This week's Collective Catch Up comes with a feel-good story we just had to share.
Collective member Silvie Timmers crossed the finish line first in her MyWhoosh race last Sunday. Her first ever race win.
And it was hard-fought ... a brutal 700-metre sprint to take the overall.
But what makes this moment so special isn't just the result.
It's everything that led to it.
We'll let Silvie tell it in her own words:
"Back in November, during the Collective camp, I had one of my worst days on the bike. Everything felt heavy, and quitting crossed my mind more than once. But thanks to Paul and Sam, I didn't get off the bike. I kept going, even when it felt impossible.
Two days later, the Rocacorba climb was on the schedule. The climb where I had hoped to set a new personal best. After how I'd felt earlier that week, I had let go of that goal completely. Just reaching the top would already feel like a victory.
Together with Ash and a group of Collective members, we started the climb. I just wanted to enjoy the ride this time. But as we climbed, I noticed the gap ahead of me wasn't getting any bigger. A thought crept in: what if I try to close it?
Ash kept encouraging me, reminding me that I was stronger than I believed. Those words stuck. Step by step, I pushed harder and somehow, on a day I least expected it, I set a new personal best on Rocacorba. More importantly, I found my joy and confidence again.
Later, Rhian told me about the MyWhoosh races. The race times really suited me, so I decided to give it a try. At first, it took some getting used to: longer races, lots of climbing mixed with repeated sprints, and fierce competition.
I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had: sprinting, and doing it over and over again in the same race. Winning my first green jersey felt like a huge milestone. But the biggest moment came just last Sunday.
After winning three out of four sprints and securing another green jersey, I found myself in a position to sprint for the overall win. I gave it everything I had. After a brutal 700-metre sprint, I crossed the finish line first. The win was mine.
From one of her worst days on the bike to a race win.
Congratulations, Silvie. We're so proud of you 💚
March is always a meaningful month for the Khaltsha Cycling Academy. It highlights the powerful role cycling can play in young women’s lives.
Setting a goal like the Cape Town Cycle Tour gives the girls something tangible to work towards, often pushing them to attempt things they might never have believed possible. Training and riding together also strengthens more than fitness. It builds confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging that comes from achieving something as a community.
A reminder about our Give to Gain
// Khaltsha Cycling's nutrition programme that is keeping girls in school
The Khaltsha Cycling Academy has launched a Nutrition Programme to support the girls who attend the centre each day.
The programme ensures that every girl receives a nutritious meal prepared on site. For many, this meal is essential. By addressing hunger first, the Academy helps create the conditions for the girls to focus on learning, personal growth and future opportunities.
The Khaltsha Cycling Academy doesn't just develop riders - its looking after the whole person. These images show the academy's first harvest from their rooftop garden, and a glimpse of the meals being prepared for the girls. Fresh, nourishing food that fuels their training, learning and their futures.
If you'd like to support the Give & Gain campaign and help keep these meals on the table, every contribution makes a difference. 💚
Support can make a tangible difference:
- Feed a child for a day: €1.85 / £1.60/ R35
- Feed a child for a week: €9.10/ £7.87/ R175
- Feed a child for a month: €36.41/ £31.50/ R700
Learn more or support the campaign here:
A full stomach brings more than energy.
It brings hope, dignity and the chance for these girls to thrive.
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