My Passion

You have to back yourself and I believe the best way to do that is to challenge myself constantly. Cycling’s my way of doing that.

I started cycling after my doctor said I should stop running because of a problem with my knee. Never one to take things slowly, I bought a bike and booked a 100-mile ride over Exmoor.

Because of work and family commitments my cycling is slotted in whenever I can find a spare hour, often in the middle of the day or late evening. I’ve solved many work challenges out riding – it’s the perfect time for thinking. Sometimes getting away from your desk for an hour produces outcomes you wouldn’t have got to.

The scenery where I live in North Yorkshire is outstanding. It’s superb cycling territory. But recently my passion’s taken me further afield.

A good friend invited me to join a London-Paris bike ride that was raising funds for LMBBS (a rare genetic disorder which affects her children). I jumped at the opportunity to help and be part of such a great challenge.

We got on our bikes at the historic Herne Hill velodrome and headed for France.

It was a challenging and eventful trip, which included taking a wrong turn into a cement factory on the outskirts of Paris. It’s amazing how quickly you can cycle when you’re at risk of being eaten by Parisian guard dogs.

The highlight of the trip was cycling up to the Arc de Triomphe at exactly the moment the Tour De France finished; an incredible experience.

But the most exciting place I’ve cycled was on my doorstep. I cycled the Grand Depart route from York to Harrogate just an hour before Stage 2 started. The countryside I thought I knew well looked so different and the crowds were amazing, albeit slightly embarrassing given the fact I was soon to be followed by some very quick cyclists.

And as well as the stunning scenery, the time to think and the challenge it provides, there’s also the bonus of cycling letting me eat cake with no guilt whatsoever.