CELEBRATING OUR STRONG WOMEN
The 9th of August marks the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956 in South Africa, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest the carrying of pass books.
Today, we’re continually inspired by strong women, who have the tenacity to continually forge ahead in their fields; modifying the norm and inspiring athletes.
We have adapted the Marcel Proust Character Questionnaire for three of our ladies Cadence athletes. This questionnaire was invented by the noted French author Marcel Proust and the questions are frequently used in interviews so you may want to pretend you're interviewing your characters.
CANDICE NEETHLING:
Photo: Cycling SA
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Making it to the Olympics, my bronze medal at World Junior XCO Champs, top 15 positions in XCO World Cups, multiple African and SA XCO Champion. On a more meaningful and personal level, I am proud of the huge growth I have seen in myself from being willing to face my fears and daring to believe that I can accomplish what I set out to do.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To truly accept where I am in life, be free of comparison and to see the power and beauty in every moment, instead of wishing it was different.
Which is your most treasured bicycle?
My Cannondale Scalpel Hi-Mod. It really is my dream bike! Love it more every time we push our limits together.
What is your favorite race?
I haven’t done it in a while, but I have such fantastic memories racing Joberg2c. The stage races in South Africa are really special to me.
What Cadence product are you most likely to take with on a ride?
Carbofuel drink and Carbofuel energy bars. Salted chocolate caramel flavour is the bomb!
What is your most marked characteristic?
I am very determined and tenacious.
What is it that you most dislike?
Vulnerable people being taken advantage of. People who cheat and lie.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to a really good singer and musician. Funny how we want what we don’t have
Where would you like to live?
I’m really happy in Cape Town, South Africa. I think our country has many problems, but at the same time there is so much to love about it. I really enjoy being in Europe for racing, but it’s always special to come home.
What do you most value in your circle (family/friends/team)?
My husband Darren who plays a huge part in my career and life. My family who has supported me from day 1 and always believe in me. My sponsors who are so invested in the journey and seeing me thrive.
What is your favourite song to do intervals to?
Lately I’ve been enjoying late 90s/early 2000s dance classics. I go through phases but I am always motivated by good music.
Whose are your heroes in real life?
People who sacrifice something for someone else’s gain. Parents raising children born with disabilities. People who turn their experience with struggle into a story to inspire, motivate and make change for others to follow.
Which living person do you most admire?
My parents. They sacrificed so much for my sister and I and worked hard to give us every opportunity in life.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I would say Agreeability.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Solid”, “proper”, “just now”. Very South African of me.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would want to be braver and more fearless.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Haha I have no idea! I would like to be an eagle and be able to soar high in the sky.
What is your motto?
A verse from the bible that says. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but rather of power, love and self-discipline.’ Whenever I feel fear and insecurity creeping in, I remind myself of this.
What is your one piece of advice for other women athletes?
Have fun! Let go of comparing yourself to others, but rather find joy and motivation in your own progression. Don’t be too harsh on yourself and celebrate the small victories.
FRANKIE DU TOIT:
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I’m proud of the fact that I have achieved 9 national titles across 6 different riding disciplines (Road, ITT, Marathon, XCO, Enduro, Downhill)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Heading for a sunset trail ride with friends with plans for pizza and beer afterwards!
Which is your most treasured bicycle?
My first trail bike (Trek Fuel EX 8) – before I had been solely focused on marathon and cross country and getting on a longer travel bike opened so many possibilities for me and allowed me to enjoy riding again after a difficult period of burnout and hating my bike.
What is your favorite race?
I really enjoy Kingdom Enduro held in Lesotho. It’s a multi-day enduro with some of the hardest but most insane riding I have ever done. You race huge stages of up to 20 minutes (a long stage in SA is about 5 minutes) and the riding is incredible. The whole vibe around the event is so fun, the people that go to and run the event are cool and the mountains we ride in provide a very dramatic backdrop.
What Cadence product are you most likely to take with on a ride?
The citrus flavour CarboFuel. I LOVE the flavour! It’s very refreshing and it’s not too sweet. It makes me want to drink when I ride.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I hate conflict – I’ll avoid it as much as I can.
What is it that you most dislike?
I really don’t like condescending people and snakes (like the animal 😂 )
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could sing or dance. I am absolutely useless at both.
Where would you like to live?
Whistler, BC! So much riding in summer and ski’ing and snowboarding in winter
What do you most value in your circle (family/friends/team)?
Honesty and loyalty.
What is your favourite song to do intervals to?
It changes all the time, but the moment Swedish House Mafia – Greyhound (throwback I know)
Whose are your heroes in real life?
Tahnee Seagrave. she’s brave, honest and open. And she rides really fast.
Which living person do you most admire?
Tim Bentley, my boyfriend. He’s incredibly hardworking and dedicated, and has a really strong drive and will. He treats everyone the same and puts in the same amount of effort no matter who or what he is doing the task for. And he is an insane rider.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Consistency. If you are consistent in your work ethic, in how you treat people and what you do it will take you far.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Some words that I won’t put down here…, and “bru”
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I was braver!
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A really good rider so I can experience what it’s be like to go really fast.
What is your motto?
Take every opportunity that comes your way!
What is your one piece of advice for other women athletes?
Don’t be intimidated! You have as much of a right to be there as anyone else!
CARLA OBERHOLZER:
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Cycling related my greatest achievement would be representing South Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness is being able to get up everyday and do something that makes you happy and which you enjoy. Perfection doesn't exist in life, but being able to chase your dreams with a good support structure surrounding you gets pretty close. If I can add to that the removal of poverty and animal abuse I would be in 7th Heaven!
Which is your most treasured bicycle?
I'm not overly sentimental about my bikes. Once I am on a new bike and I enjoy it, it usually becomes my favorite. So currently it would be my Chapter2 Rere.
What is your favorite race?
Definitely Amashova Classic
What Cadence product are you most likely to take with on a ride?
CarboFuel Citrus and a Salted Caramel bar.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Probably my resilience and my ability to refocus and get back up again and again after setbacks.
What is it that you most dislike?
I severely dislike people abusing each other or people neclegting or abusing animals.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To speak multiple languages; African and European
Where would you like to live?
I love living in Clarens and if I had to live somewhere else in South Africa it would be in the Mpumalanga area of Graskop. Out of South Africa probably Australia where the weather is similar to SA and there is no language barrier to overcome.
What do you most value in your circle (family/friends/team)?
I most value their never ending belief in me and how they make sacrifices in order for me to achieve my goals.
What is your favourite song to do intervals to?
I actually don't like listening to music while doing intervals, I need to hear my breathing. I do enjoy listening to Podcasts when doing longer, easier rides.
Whose are your heroes in real life?
My heroes in real life are ordinary people doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Like the car guard with the huge smile even when it is pouring with rain; the grandmother taking care of her grandkids on a social grant; the mall cleaner who washes the floor with so much passion. I admire people like these who just get on with what needs to be done in life while still maintaining such a happy and positive attitude.
Which living person do you most admire?
No single person. I admire individuals for certain individual traits they have.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Probably 'being busy'. It's ok to take down time and just do nothing. A hard one for me personally as well.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
F$c$ (Sorry but I do. Working hard on changing it but asked both my mom and Husband and it was their immediate answer)
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be more comfortable with spending time with other people in social situations. I'm ok with people close to me or in small groups of like up to 6 people. I generally avoid social situations with larger gatherings. Basically to be a bit more extroverted.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Really don't believe in reincarnation so will skip this one.
What is your motto?
I don't have one motto. There are several which I draw from depending on the situation.
What is your one piece of advice for other women athletes?
Believe in yourself even when no one else does. Get a good education; don't sacrifice an education for a chance at sporting success; build a good support structure around you
