Whereas many cycling tours across the globe separate their men ’ s and women ’ s events and include disparate race formats based on difficulty and distance , The Cows and the organiser of the Cow & Belle , Roberto Riccardi , have taken the bold step to allow both genders to ride in the same team .

“ All the women in this year ’ s Cow & Belle are incredible athletes . Their CVs speak for themselves ,” said Riccardi . “ Let ’ s not forget several of them have shown their credentials riding the 190 kilometres for the Apocalypse Cows in the 947 Ride Joburg . They complete the 94.7km loop in under 3 hours and follow that up with a second loop pushing ice cream bikes . These are not women to be messed with .”

Although he did not wish to comment on whether an all-female cycling team could win the Cow & Belle outright , Riccardi did go on record to say “ Look , they may be outnumbered but you can never underestimate the fire power behind an armada of mothers , sisters , daughters and highly motivated women of industry .”

8 . Chantelle Fourie ( Team Craigie ) 9 . Kerri Visser ( Team Craigie ) 10 . Michelle Andrew ( Team Georgie ) 11 . Claire Malik ( Team Georgie ) 12 . Patricia Gouws ( Team Del ) 13 . Veronica Warmington ( Team Del ) 14 . Lize-Mari Kreusch ( Team Del )

The organisers are pleased to note that of the 76 riders in the 2021 Cow & Belle 180k teams event , 13 are women and there are a minimum of 2 ladies in each team .

IRIS VARTY

( Team KZN )

• Current title and work : Iris is also known as DurbsDaisy , the Admin Cow for the KZN Herd . This involves all admin duties and anything to do with The Cows including . o The aQuelle Midmar Mile which is KZN Herds ’ pride and joy , grown from 30 swimmers to over 500 swimmers of all ages in 6 years ! This event has been ‘ our baby ’ from beginning to end and having secured our very own Cows batch in 2020 was a dream come true for all of us . o All KZN Herd events including 100 Miles of Nowhere , The Gabran , the 12 Hour Challenge last year etc . o We also often assist race organisers at events with water tables , marshalling as well as registration duties for which we receive donations to

The Cows .

• To help replenish our stock which was plundered in the July looting from our Cows storage unit , Iris attends local markets to sell our old cow stock t-shirts and recover some of the funds lost . “ It ’ s busy , it ’ s non-stop , it ’ s every day and weekends and I absolutely LOVE IT . “

• Best ever race : “ I rode on tandem with one of my daughters . Those will always be the ones I rate the best . Highlights were the 3h28 Amashova finish with my daughter Lauren in 2012 on tandem followed by 2nd placed ladies tandem at the Argus Cycle Tour in 2013 .”

• Most impressive athletic accomplishment : “ definitely the lung-busting Apocalypse Cows 947 races in 2018 & 2019 . I now have something new lined up which scares me to the core but it ’ s time I push my own boundaries once again on a brand new level – representing The Cows of course !”

CHANTELLE FOURIE ( Team Craigie )

• Current position : Sales Executive at Bridgewater Logistics . Logistics , Warehousing , Transportation and my baby : Special Projects , any movements of containers / repositions , projects as a whole requiring logistics and movement of goods / relocations you name it

• Best ever race : “ Too many to tell . I would say Karkloof 50 miler ( Trail Run ). Experiencing the wonders of mother nature all in one day to the absolute indescribable feeling of running 80kms through one of the most beautiful places in South Africa , testing and pushing one ’ s body to the ultimate limit – exhilarating !!!!”

• Favourite athletic accomplishments : Transitioned from running to cycling , newbie to cycling . Running : Comrades . Trail Running , UTCT 65km , SOX 3 day , and Karkloof 50 miler ( top 10 in the

54 ladies 2 Cow years and in a Belle row ). | Cycling October , only 2021 ever raced 2 road races : Argus and this year ’ s Tshwane classic .

KIMMY HEGER ( Team Jess )

• Kimmy is a nursery school teacher . She teaches the “ Bunny Group ” children aged between 2 and a half and 3 and a half years old .

• Best race ever : 2021 Cow and Belle race with Team Jess . “ I was allowed to ride on my beautiful TT bike ( which with the Apocalypse Cows in an official race I wouldn ’ t get to do ). I felt strong on the day and pulled / paced my team for most of the race with my “ Bestest Human ” by my side Kino Valverde . It is always the most wonderful feeling and vibe to ride with the CHOC Cows and a huge honour to be part of such an amazing group of people .”

• Biggest athletic achievements : Kimmy is a triathlete at heart and has podiumed at multiple Ironman Events in PE , East London and Durban 70.3 . She has participated in three Ironman World Championships : KONA Hawaii 2016 , Austria 2015 and South Africa 2018 .