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Women and Cycling: Breaking Barriers to Pedal Forward Cycling is one of the most liberating and environmentally friendly modes of transportation, yet many women hesitate to embrace it. Whether male or female, fear of traffic consistently tops the list of reasons for not cycling, and for women, this concern seems to carry an even heavier weight. Perhaps it’s because, as women, we feel a responsibility to the family or children we could leave behind in the event of an accident. Or maybe it’s the fear of confrontation, especially from men. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: women face unique barriers to cycling. The Numbers Don’t Lie Globally, women are significantly underrepresented in cycling. Statistics reflect a stark disparity, raising the question: why? The answers? A combination of safety concerns, societal expectations, and practical barriers that make cycling less accessible for women. Here's a closer look at the challenges women face and what we can do to create a safe...

Understanding and Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) As the vibrant colors of summer fade into the muted tones of autumn, I often find myself bracing for more than just colder weather. For me, autumn isn’t just about cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes—it’s also the start of a tougher season, one that brings a noticeable shift in my energy, mood, and motivation. This shift is something many people know as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). What is SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that’s typically triggered by the shorter, darker days of autumn and winter. It’s not just “winter blues” or feeling a little off; for those of us who experience it, SAD can bring profound emotional and physical challenges. Some of the symptoms I’ve noticed (and others may too) include: Feelings of hopelessness Constant fatigue, no matter how much rest I get Difficulty concentrating Mood swings and irritability A loss of interest in activities I usually love Changes in appeti...

Mojo: Finding It Again I originally wrote this during lockdown. Back then, it started like this: "I'll be controversially honest with you. I'm fed up with tiers, bubbles, no more than six people rules, okay here but not there, masks, partial/full lockdowns, etc. It all makes less sense than it ever did. However, it is what it is. So, how do we approach yet another lockdown?" Back then, many of us were drained and had lost our mojo. Not surprisingly so. Now, I think most people who lose their mojo are, quite simply, tired. Tired from work. (I’m right there with you, exhausted post-pandemic, navigating the (peri) menopause. Tired from doing too much, whether it’s trying to hit a certain fitness goal (pace, distance, or both), pushing through when your body’s begging for rest, or overcommitting socially. Tired from people pleasing. From keeping up appearances on social media, obsessing over likes, chasing popularity, and focusing too much on what we’re wearing, eating...

Choose life. Choose a bike. Choose cycling.   Choose a clunky hybrid. Choose a gravel bike. Choose a fucking overpriced aero bike.  Choose a carbon frame you can’t afford, wheels lighter than air, and a saddle so uncomfortable it feels a personal insult.  Choose a GPS computer, power meters, cadence sensors. Choose Strava segments, KOMs, and the glory of beating your own PB. Choose lycra, padded bib shorts, jerseys with too many pockets. Cleats you can't walk in and gloves that smell like death Choose 6 am alarms, stuffing gels into pockets, and debating the marginal gains of shaving your legs. Choose mud splattered faces, gravel in your teeth. Choose climbs that make your legs scream and descents that make you question your life choices. But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose cycling: I chose to saddle up, show up, and keep going. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons, you’ve got cycling. Choose cycling. 

Adventure in Everyday Life Do you sometimes feel stuck in daily routine? For women, especially those over 50, life can often be a balancing act of work, family, and personal goals, while feeling often too tired, and the thought of an adventure may be the furthest from your thoughts. But adventure doesn’t have to mean expensive trips or weeks away. Micro adventures, short, accessible, and meaningful escapes, offer a way to reclaim your sense of self, without too much disruption to a busy schedule. What is a Micro Adventure? A micro adventure is a bite sized exploration that can be done in a day or less, even an hour or so, close to home. Such as; An evening bike ride/ walk to a local green space for the sunset. A Saturday morning bike ride/ walk to a nearby historical site. A picnic under the stars in a local green space, or even your own backyard. You don’t need expensive gear or a lot of time, just a willingness to step outside your comfort zone a little. Why M...

Change is never easy, but it’s also an opportunity to reset, refocus, and approach life with renewed determination. I’m not suggesting that you give up on your big dreams or abandon all your ambitions. Those goals could return one day with grit, determination and patience. Instead, alter your approach to support yourself along the way. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, middle age, or simply seeking balance and wellness, these tips can help you thrive, one small change at a time. Revamp Your Routine Consistency is the foundation of any wellness journey, but variety keeps it fun and engaging. Shift your focus to activities that ignite your passion and which bring you happiness. Consider other options like walking/ hiking, swimming (indoor or open water), paddleboarding, yoga, bouldering or rock climbing to name just a few!. Strength training is especially beneficial for aging women, helping to combat bone density loss and maintain muscle mass. I recently added Les Mills workouts t...

Like many others, I struggled with the toll it took on my mental health, my fitness and my confidence. I told myself I’d bounce back, but then perimenopause entered the picture. Along came the perimenopause. At first, I didn’t realise I was going through these hormonal changes. The fatigue, brain fog and mood swings. I blamed those on the stress of lockdowns, isolation and work. Perimenopause hit me both physically and mentally. I felt like I was losing control of my body and mind. Social media didn’t help; it seemed every celebrity and fit 50 year old woman was thriving while I struggled to reclaim even a fraction of what I had lost. I tried to push myself back into running, but the spark wasn’t there. I wasn’t the same person I had been before, and trying to force myself into my old routine only added to frustration. So a double physical and mental blow. Despite all the posts on social media around this time made by celebrities and super fit 50 year old women, I have never really got...

One morning, as I was trail running along the edge of Winter Hill, I glanced down and felt an unfamiliar wave of unease. "Hope I don’t fall off," I thought. At the time, it seemed like a passing fear. Looking back, I now see it was the first piece of a much larger puzzle, the jigsaw of perimenopause. The menopause, well, the perimenopause, has been just that for me: a complex, ever-evolving puzzle. Over time, I’ve started piecing it together. While I now have most of the picture, there are still gaps, pieces I’m slowly fitting into place. Putting the Pieces Together At first, I thought my exhaustion was work-related. I was working long hours in community care, juggling endless responsibilities. My GP diagnosed me with an underactive thyroid, and I started medication. Problem solved, right? Then came a year of devastating loss. I lost my beloved dog, my dear friend, and my distant but still significant mother—all within 365 days. The grief was all-consuming. I cope...

We only get one shot at life, and we don't know how long we have to take that shot. The last few years have taught many of us that lesson in some of the harshest ways. Lockdowns, restrictions, the loss of freedom and routine, and for some of us, the devastating loss of our loved ones.  For many of us, myself included, those years took a toll on both our physical and mental health. Fitness lossed, weight gained, anxiety creeping in stealing our confidence. I found myself stuck in loops of catastrophic thinking. We’ve all been holding it together the best as we can since 2020 (maybe even before). But let’s be honest: the cracks have shown. We don't live forever. Our tomorrow isn’t promised. The only guarantee we have is the present moment. This moment in time. For years, I tied so much of myself to being a trail runner. How far I could go, how fast I could be. But as the world slowed down, so did I. Eventually under pressure I let go of the need to always push. Instead, I started...