Guest edited by a world champion / Sir Chris Hoy, reunited with his track bike View in browser |
|
|
Guest edited by a world champion / Sir Chris Hoy, reunited with his track bike View in browser |
Thursday 1 January 2026 Membership number: |
|
|
I ride with the Great Britain Cycling Team as part of the Women’s Track Endurance Squad, but have been handed editorial duties for your first Supporter News edition of 2026. No pressure!
Last year you might have seen me on the track in pursuit races, but I've also really enjoyed exploring more of the road and track bunch racing scene. Read on to hear my highlights, training playlist and favourite things to do off the bike. |
|
|
The standout moment for me was winning the Individual Pursuit at the Lloyds National Track Championships in February. For it to come together with a world record time, full capacity home crowd in Manchester, in the rainbow stripes, with nearly everyone that’s been a part of my cycling journey present in the velodrome was really special. Sometimes things come together to create incredible moments (there are so many other times this doesn’t happen!), and that for me was one of those days. |
There were also big moments of pushing out of comfort zones for me this year, and riding with the GB squad at the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women was one of these. Lining up on stage one for what was my seventh road race, there was a lot of challenge ahead! But also a lot of inspiring moments, being able to learn from a talented group of established road riders, and experiencing the demanding conditions of the Queen stage as Cat Ferguson took the win. |
|
|
Going all the way back to the beginning, this is a picture of my first track race: the individual pursuit at the British University Championships.
Cycling wasn’t something we did as a family growing up, so for me it was fellow students at the Southampton University Cycling Club that helped me get involved. The club committee invested a lot into increasing women's participation, gaining UK Sport funding to run an accessible programme that included roller sessions, car park skills, group rides and sessions at the infamous Calshot 142m track.
This sparked my journey into track cycling; I loved the adrenaline rush of pinging around the tight banking, and the bonus of it being slightly warmer and drier than outside in the winter (although anyone that’s been there will know you’re still riding in longs in the winter!). |
|
|
When I'm warming up Needs to have a good beat but it changes to whatever song I’m finding catchy at that moment.
My motivation song It could be anything from Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton, up to modern day pop.
When it's time to go full gas Often includes Eminem and Avicii. |
|
|
Training lately has been general prep and strength work, building back after time off after the 2025 UCI Track World Championships. I will typically be in the gym twice a week, some endurance rides on the road and turbo (favouring anywhere with a good climb and top views), some low cadence efforts, and a couple of track sessions to mix things up.
In the gym, back squats and Romanian deadlifts are strong staples, with a big focus on good technique. When not training, I regularly use my customised Isobar compression socks to promote recovery. But away from all things bike, I enjoy a rest day café trip, walking, and spending time with family and friends. |
|
|
My journey into elite cycling really started with goals towards the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, so I am very excited to be aiming for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with Team Wales. It’s the only time we get to don the Welsh jersey in cycling, so that always feels a special occasion.
In the short term, the Lloyds National Track Championships will return to Manchester in February and I'm hoping to race after the buzz of last year. It should be an exciting watch. Hope to see you there! |
|
|
There have been so many people to thank that have helped me along my journey. That’s one thing I love about the cycling community – the willingness of people to help and welcome others into the sport. So a big shout-out to all those helping newcomers into the sport; the welcoming, friendly atmosphere of my first club was part of what kept me coming back. |
|
|
Sticking with the track, have you watched the seven and a half minutes of joy that are Sir Chris Hoy being reunited with his London 2012 track bike? Get a peek behind the scenes of the British Cycling workshop and hear from Chris and our incredible mechanic, Ernie Feargrieve (recipient of a British Empire Medal in 2024 for his now 27-year support of the Great Britain Cycling Team). |
|
|
British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ
All content © British Cycling 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
