By Julie-Anne Hazlett
Sometimes the smallest “yes” can change your whole life. For me, it started with a breakup, a nudge from a friend, and a triathlon I never thought I’d actually do.
That was over 15 years ago.
I wasn’t a total stranger to bikes, I’d done plenty of spin classes and owned a commuter bike or two, but I’d never really ridden the way I do now. Like so many beginners, I didn’t exactly feel like a natural. The first time I clipped into cleats, I toppled over before I’d even started moving.
But that one decision to sign up for a triathlon set me on a path I couldn’t have imagined. One that’s taken me across oceans, over mountains, through sleepless nights, and into some of the toughest and proudest moments of my life.
From Triathlon Sprints to World Championships
My journey began with sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons before I moved on to half Ironman races. I quickly discovered that the bike leg was where I thrived. Before long, I was qualifying for world championship events and racing in breathtaking locations around the world.
Taking On the World’s Toughest Cycling Races
Racing Across America – 2015
In 2015, I joined an all-female team, The Veloroos, to take on Race Across America almost 5,000km from California to Maryland, with 53,000 metres of climbing.
It was brutal, exhilarating, and emotional. We rode in shifts around the clock, barely sleeping, with our incredible crew leapfrogging us across the country. We didn’t just finish, we won our category, broke the women’s team record (6 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes), and our crew was awarded Best Support Team.
Race Around Ireland – 2017
Two years later, our team took on another epic challenge: Race Around Ireland, a 2,200km ultra race with over 22,000 metres of climbing along Ireland’s wild coastline.
It was windy, chaotic, and utterly magical. We averaged more than 30km/hr, broke the women’s record again, and won our category. Some of my favourite memories are from those nights, riding through the dark while teammates cheered from the van and friends around the world sent messages of encouragement.
The Tour de France – 2019
One of my proudest moments came in 2019, when I joined The InternationElles a group of 10 women from across the globe to ride every single stage of the men’s Tour de France.
We rode all 3,500km on open roads, a day ahead of the pros, to campaign for gender equality in cycling and prove that women were more than capable of taking on the world’s most iconic race.
It was gruelling. We rode through tears, pain, and exhaustion but also through crowds of cheering supporters and moments of pure determination. We made headlines across the globe, sparking conversations about the need for a women’s Tour de France.
In 2022, when the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift finally launched in Paris, I was there as a supporter, watching a dream we fought for come to life.
Fondos, Gravel, and Riding for Fun
It’s not all ultra-endurance for me. As an ambassador for Bicycling Australia, I love taking part in their gran fondos each year in Bowral and Mudgee. They’re a great way to ride with hundreds of other cyclists, challenge myself, and soak up the buzz of big events.
I’ve also fallen for gravel riding, which feels like pure adventure. Recently, I bikepacked the rugged Mawson Trail in Australia with my friend Joanie. There’s nothing like pedalling through remote landscapes, carrying everything you need, and finding joy in the simplicity of it all.
Fighting for Equality in Cycling
In the 15-plus years I’ve been riding, cycling has made huge strides but there’s still a long way to go.
The launch of the Tour de France Femmes was a milestone, but women’s cycling still doesn’t get the visibility or funding it deserves. Real change won’t just come from the pros or race organisers, it comes from all of us. By showing up, riding, supporting women’s events, and demanding more, we can help close the gap.
I’ve seen more women on bikes now than when I started, but the numbers are still nowhere near equal. There’s work to do, and I want to be part of the push forward.
My Advice for Women
For me, cycling is about so much more than racing. It’s a way to explore, to meet amazing people, and to see the world in a way few other experiences can offer. It doesn’t matter how far or fast you ride, what matters is the connection, the adventure, and the way the bike can change how you see yourself. If you’re thinking about getting into cycling, my advice is simple: just do it.
What’s Next: The Garden Route Giro
My next big adventure is already on the calendar. In April, I’m heading to South Africa with friends for the Garden Route Giro. A six-day gravel event across the stunning Garden Route and Klein Karoo, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. It’ll be a completely new terrain and challenge for me, and I can’t wait to explore the epic scenery and test myself on another adventure.