Starting out
As a kid I was always on my bike, either cycling to school, friends houses or those long summer holidays where you’d set off on an adventure & not return home until it was dark. Then, as soon as I got my first car, just like that I stopped cycling. I did start again when my children Lois & Calum were small, enjoying family rides, but never more than a few miles.
Then in 2020 I started working in Leeds & decided to cycle there & back once a week. I do have a busy job & building exercise into my routine along with a chance to decompress on the ride home seemed appealing. I bought an electric MTB on the cycle to work scheme, unable to face the big hills back up to Eldwick at the end of a long day!
The urge to explore
I started exploring further on the weekends, but always on my own. Then one day, I stopped for a drink at the top of the Five Rise & noticed a group of friendly looking female cyclists & found out all about Bingley Belles. Deciding I should be a bit more sociable & also find some other routes, I signed up!
Over the next 2-3 years my cycling journey has progressed quite quickly. I challenged myself with longer distances & unfamiliar routes, signing up for my first sportive in 2023 along with several other Belles. I had a brief foray into a road bike after that, after realising my big heavy EMTB wasn’t built for speed. I know lots of Belles swear by LIV bikes, but it never felt stable to me. I’ve now found my ‘forever’ bike, a Ribble electric gravel bike which seems the ideal combination of speed & stability. My biggest challenge so far has been a 273 mile charity ride over 4 days, completed in July 2025. On the 3rd day my battery failed so I not only had no assistance for a few big hills but also lugged about 6kg of extra weight with me. On the positive side it’s made me realise maybe I don’t need the electric after all! I’m currently training for my first 100 miles, the Selby Swans Sportive at the end of August where I hope to be joined by a few Belles across the various distances on offer.
Keeping going
I don’t have a favourite route as such I’m happiest on quiet, rolling country roads where you can chat & admire our wonderful local countryside.
What I love about Belles isn’t just the cycling, but all the other activities on offer. At various points I’ve joined the Barbelles strength conditioning, bike maintenance, road skills, book club, treasure hunt & wellbeing weekend. A recent bikepacking trip has already inspired me to plan a cycling holiday next year, it was also lovely to share the experience with my daughter Lois. I really appreciate getting to know a varied group of interesting women, & think T’Committee do an amazing job in finding new experiences for us all to enjoy.