By Casey Bury
Nirvana McBeath is a big name in personal training and triathlons.
She also happens to be addicted to cycling! A proud ambassador for the 2020 Bowral Classic, we sat down with her to find out just what makes this such a special Gran Fondo.
Bowral Classic: Let’s start with your background, how long have you been cycling?
Nirvana McBeath: I’ve been cycling for about five years. I first started after having three kids and riding all the time with my husband, he was a cyclist in his younger days, and it was something that we could get out and do together. He bought me my first road bike and so that was just something we did when we had the opportunity. That really sparked my interest in triathlons as well.
BC: Were you a personal trainer before you got into cycling?
NB: No, I was an accountant actually which was the same as Ali McCormack [fellow Ambassador].
BC: That’s crazy! So completely different?
NB: Yeah! So I was an account with CPA, my husband Dean and I went away one time together and I said I never really wanted to be an accountant. I always wanted to do personal training and he said well give it a go! So then I just started it. It has been so much fun.
Nirvana is a keen triathlete as well as cyclist.
BC: Speaking of fun, what do you love about cycling?
NB: I enjoy getting out with the other people, a lot of it for me is about the friendships and the socialising. We have a local group which called the ‘4051 Rouleurs’, 4051 is the post code, and there’s about 20-30 in the group. We have a whatsapp group where we all provide updates about who is riding where and when and different people meet up and go ride so it’s a very social thing. Lots of banter, coffee and going on different people’s cycling routes which keeps it all interesting and exciting.
BC: Let’s talk about the Cycling Classics. Which ones have you ridden and what do you love about them?
NB: We really love them! We started off by doing the Noosa Classic and I did it as a training ride for my first half iron-man triathlon. So we did that one the first year and really enjoyed it, I did that one with my husband, and we ended up riding with a few people on the day and enjoyed it. Last year we did the Maxi Classic, with about 6-8 people from our local Rouleurs group, and again we loved it. So then Dean and I decided that we wanted to go and try some of the other ones because we thought it would be good to go somewhere different and make it part of a holiday. And then obviously Bowral. Our family live in Kiama, so we thought we’d come down and have a holiday and make a trip out of it.
BC: Great stuff. Ok we have a few rapid-fire ones to finish off. Go-to recovery meal?
NB: Has to be bacon and eggs. If I don’t have time for that then I don’t mind a sneaky chocolate milkshake as well!
Having twice ridden the Noosa Classic, Nirvana is keen to head to Bowral in 2020.
BC: Dream cycling destination?
NB: Oh, it’d have to be France! I’ve never been there before.
BC: And finally, what is your goal for the 2020 Bowral Classic?
NB: I want to have fun! While pushing myself, I’m going give it a bit of a nudge and check my pacing and check my nutrition so I can finish comfortably. It’s about finding that fine line between giving it a push but enjoying the day out because it’s all about the balance.
BC: Thanks so much for your time Nirvana, can’t wait to see you in Bowral on 18 October!
