I first realised what cycling really meant to me aged approximately 15, during my O Levels (GCSEs). I would take myself out and ride a loop of 20 miles in the Somerset countryside to calm my mind during revision for my exams. Once the exams were over, a friend and I cycled through Somerset, Dorset & Devon over two weeks. Quite an adventure!
Cycling and I parted company for many years – I focused on watersports for some reason and it was only 4 years ago I discovered a women only cycle club in Twyford called Bia. A friend from my yoga class recommended Bia. Club rides are every Friday, Wednesday evenings in the summer and Sunday mornings. Bia also run other events as well as collectively attending local and not so local Sportives and rides. I recently started riding on gravel rather than on road which is more technical, but avoids the rage of drivers!
The club is a 200 strong group of women from all walks of life and aged between late teens and our oldest member is a sprightly 80 years young! Friday rides are 30-40 miles and include a coffee stop for a natter! The belief and encouragement of these women towards each other is amazing.
Bia has opened up a whole new circle of good friends as well as challenging me to push myself to ride further, or take on difficult challenges. The result is that I have more confidence to try new things and to encourage others to do the same.
To date, I have ridden from London to Paris, spent a week Gravel riding in Girona Spain, completed Go2Berg a 5 day gravel ride in South Africa, followed by a safari – not on a bicycle – but in unexpected and unseasonal snow! I survived a gruelling 155km gravel ride on Salisbury Plain, completed Ride the Night – twice, and countless 100km sportives.
My current focus is now on Chase the Sun – South which is a 205 mile ride on 21st June from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. The plan is to complete it in daylight – leaving at sunrise and arriving before sunset.. a mere 17 hours in the saddle, but hopefully less!Â
