Biker Girls |
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First learnt to ride
About 6 or 7, and I remember riding up and down our long garden. It was too narrow to turn around so I had to get off the bike to change direction! Later on I remember trying to find the courage to ride around White Horse Lane playing fields with my sister. What type of cyclist are you I am a commuter and leisure cyclist. My bike is my primary form of transport, and although in the past I have considered racing, it's clearly not for me! Favourite cycling adventure In spring 2011 I decided that we were going to go on a cycling holiday. Luckily, the husband agreed! I'd always wanted to visit Amsterdam, so we bought some maps and some highlighter pens and got to work! We started in Hertfordshire where we dropped our cat off for a special cat-holiday, and rode two days to Harwich where we got the overnight ferry to the Hook of Holland. |
Another days' riding (up the North Sea Cycle Path and we had made it to Amsterdam! We stayed exploring (by foot!) for two days, then reversed the journey back again, this time going via The Hague to mix things up. All in it was about 316 miles over 6 days, 4 punctures, 2 small falls and a lot of smiles!
What type of bike do you ride and do they have a name? For work a orange brompton called Lennox, and at home a silver hybrid (Specialised Globe Vienna 4 with an 8 speed shimano nexus hub) called Greyskull who is my favourite bike that I do most my journeys on. Frauline Schmetterling is my little old german 3 speed which I leave at the station (in the hope she's too old and ugly to be stolen), and Rory is my pampered road bike which sits on the turbo trainer in the living room. I did also have Martin the mountain bike who was sadly stolen last summer. In addition to these guys I also have use of Frasier which is a lovely old Raleigh Pioneer that's slightly too big for me but my husband got from freecycle. I stuck some V-brakes, new tyres and a pannier rack on him and he's good as new! |
Do you have any advice for those who don't cycle
Cycling is a brilliant way to get around, to beat the rush hour and get some endorphins to see you through the day. Make sure you start off with a decent bike (buy something cheap and it will be heavy, the components will break and you'll hate it!), get your confidence up by practicing riding well out from the kerb and take a look at the Sustrans website for help Favourite inspiring quote Ned Flanders: “You were bicycling two abreast?” Homer Simpson: “I wish. We were bicycling to a lake.” Favourite song Apoptygma Bezerk- Starsign And finally, "I love to cycle because..." I feel alive and free on a bike. |
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Dene Edwards from Brazil Age: 38 Job: Admin Team Member & blogger for 'Crafts to Inspire'
Last rode a bike: 26 years ago
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How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike and who taught you?
My mum was the first person to help me, but because I was always very, very scared of falling down I gave up at age 12 What made you want to cycle again? I made a new year´s resolution for 2012 to learn to ride, I taught myself with the help of some friends, (and you Sarah) my niece Debora and my husband Tim. What type of cyclist are you? I like cycling for exercise and relaxing! What type of bike do you ride? My sister-in-law´s bike and my friend´s bike at work, during lunch time some days. Both of them are mountain bikes. I am looking forward to now buying my own bike! |
Favourite cycle route or adventure
At the moment is going from home in Milton Keynes to Elfield Park Do you have any advice for those who don't cycle Give it a go and never think that you´re too old to get started! it´s an amazing way of exercising and gives your freedom! Favourite inspiring quote "Don't worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - Bob Marley Favourite song I have so many favourite songs from Brazil, from the UK, from so many different places... And finally, "I love to cycle because..." it makes me feel so good and free!!! |
Rakhee Sharma from Milton Keynes Age: 30 Job: Digital Marketing Coordinator
Last rode a bike: 18 years ago
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How old where you when you first learnt to ride? I learnt when I was 8, but not rode a bike since I was 12. At first I thought I will never be able to ride again but with friends' help and my own motivation to do it, it felt great to be able to cycle on my own
What type of bike do you ride and do they have a name? I don't own one currently but am now looking for one! Do you have any advice for those who don't cycle? It's great fun |
Favourite inspiring quote? 'Only one thing makes a dream impossible, the fear of failure' By writer Paolo Coelho
Favourite music I love all types of music, especially Arabic and Brazilian "I love to cycle because..." I feel free! I didn't realise how amazing it felt to be on a bike! |
Caitlin Allan From Canada Lives: Hackney, London Age: 24
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How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike and who taught you?
I got my first bike for my fourth birthday, and my Dad patiently taught me how to use it What type of cyclist are you? I use my bike for everything, it's my only form of transportation! I like taking the side streets and not going too fast. When I get the chance, bicycle touring is my favourite activity. What type of bike do you ride and do they have a name? I have two bikes. For touring, I'm the proud owner of a Surly Long Haul Trucker named Temagami (my favourite provincial park back home in Canada) . In London, I ride a Gumtree cruiser/beater bike named Betty. Both these bikes have served me well! Favourite cycle route or adventure In 2010-11 I rode my bike around Europe for nearly 10 months. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime and I fell in love with the freedom and happiness the bicycle can bring. I was also amazed at how the bike can take you places you would normally never see. |
Do you have any advice for those who don't cycle
Make your cycling identity your own. If you want to move slowly on the backroads, do that. If you want to enjoy the adrenaline of high streets, do that. Wear lycra, wear high-vis, or don't. The more you make cycling feel like you, the easier it will be to start pedalling. Favourite inspiring quote "Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race." - H.G. Wells Favourite song The entire Into the Wild soundtrack (by Eddie Vedder) Do you have a cycling blog you'd like to share? If you're interested, you can check out our travel blog at www.acworldbiketour.wordpress.com. And finally, "I love to cycle because..." It makes you feel more engaged with your surroundings and yourself. |
I spoke to these three up and coming young track cyclists to find out why they love to cycle!
Paige Milward, Age: 15 Team: Rouleur "It's really enjoyable, sociable and fun, and always keeps you active!" |
Amy Roberts, Age:17 from Wales
Team: Scott Contessa Epic "It's so good to get out in the fresh air, you meet loads of different people"
Megan is part of the British Cycling Olympic Development Programme |
Megan Barker Age: 14
Team: Rouleur "I've met loads of great people from it, it keeps you going and it's just great!" |
Damaris (left) & Davina (right)
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Davina, age: 10 yrs old - Damaris, age: 7yrs old From: Milton Keynes
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? Davina 5, Damaris 6 What's your favourite cycle route? The heart cycle ride along the canal in Great Linford, we made a heart shape to raise money for World Vision. What's your favourite song? Bruno Mars, count on me and Jamie Grace, Hold me Favourite inspiring quote? 'Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind' Dr Suess. ' Keep calm and eat chocolate'. 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength' Any advice for those who don't cycle? Learn as soon as possible (That includes you mum) I love to cycle because....? It's good exercise, so much fun, its not difficult, and you can do it to raise money for charity & help children around the world.
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Previous Biker Girls
Biker Girl Megan Boyd did a fantastic job for Max Gear at the February Revolution track event!
Click below to check out her interview!
Click below to check out her interview!
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Nicole from New Zealand!
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Name: Nicole Grant Lives: Brighton originally from New Zealand Job: Amateur photographer
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike: I was 8 years old, my dad taught me What type of cyclist are you: I cycle for fun and to keep fit Favourite cycle route: The redwoods in New Zealand is stunning! What type of bike do you ride: I just bought a gorgeous vintage bike on gumtree (see below on far left) Favourite song: At the moment it's Beautiful People by Chris Brown Advice for those who don't cycle: Just try it, cycling makes sense as you are able to save money and avoid road rage! It also makes you feel happy keeps you fit :) Favourite inspiring quote: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” - Dr. Seuss I love to cycle because....? I don't like driving a car and cycling is a much more scenic way to see an area. Nicole has been travelling for the last 5 years around Australia, Asia, Scotland, Ireland and even Milton Keynes! Her favourite travel spots so far have been Freemantle and Margaret River in Western Australia where she was a Vineyard tractor driver! I met Nicole in Broome, Western Australia back in June 2009 and kicked off 2012 with the first CYHO of the year in Milton Keynes! Click here to check out the gallery and see some of Nicole's beautiful photos! |
The first Biker Girl of 2012 is Sian from Oxfordshire!
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Name: Sian Lives: Near Thame, Oxfordshire Age: 48 Job: Company Directory – Business Services
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? Young, my dad held onto the saddle and I screamed a lot but eventually got moving. What type of cyclist are you? A very happy one. Whats your favourite cycle route? Syfydrin Trail – Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Mid Wales- it’s off road and really good fun. On road I have a circular route close to home that I can whizz round in an hour it goes up and down hill so I call it the Roller Coaster (see below). What type of bike do you ride? I have two bikes - a beautiful Specialized Elite ladies road bike with pink stripes and a Marin Trail Bike. What’s your favourite song? The Monkies – Daydream Believer Any advice for those who don't cycle? Just give it a try - it could change your life Your favourite Inspiring quote? “A lot of this game is about the attitude shown by players” – Sir Clive Woodward. I love to cycle because....? It’s something I can do alone, with friends or on events where I meet new people. I can tootle when I want to and cycle hard when I want to. I can choose to stop for coffee and cake, or not. It’s about being me and about being free. Sian, Alex and Vicky are the founders of The Pollicott Belles. Over the last few years they have raised thousands cycling for MacMillan Cancer Care and Helen & Douglas House! They are planning another amazing cycling adventure for 2012 to help raise money for alzeimers society. Watch this space to find out what it is...... Click here to follow their fantastic blog! |
Sian's Roller Coaster route in Wales! Syfydrin Trail – Bwlch Nant yr Arian
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Cycling for MacMillan Cancer Care
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The Pollicott Belles
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Biker Girl Arena from Chile!
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Name: Arena Cárdenas
Age: 30 From: Chile Job: Belly dancing teacher First learnt to ride a bike: I was 5 years old What type of cyclist are you: I cycle for fun! Favourite bike route: Patagonia, Chile Type of bike you ride: Mountain bike Favourite song: "Dos Gardenias" by Ibrahim Ferrer Favourite inspiring quote: "Nothing even goes away until it has taught us what we need to know" from Pema Chodron. Advice for those who dont cycle: Cycling gives you the freedom of going everywhere you want, through places impossible to get with other other types of transport. It is also great exercise as it makes your heart pump more blood to your brain while you go through your favourite places. The combination means you will feel happier and enjoy life more. |
I love to cycle because....
It makes me feel alive, free & powerful as I can get anywhere I want through my own strength, and because it's green, it doesn't contaminate the air. Arena recently took park in the 'Cycle Your Heart Out Christmas ride' and was the creator of the lovely bicycle Charm bracelets in the goodie bags!
Arena has been studying dance since she was 6 years old and is a fully trained Belly dancing teacher. She currently performs every week at Shiraz in Milton Keynes. |
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Biker Girl Karen From Milton Keynes
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Favourite quote: 'God wouldn't give you anything you couldn't cope with' my mum said this to me when I found out i was expecting twins. I already had a baby boy and the thought of having three children under the age of two was both exciting and scary! My baby boy is now 18 and my twin girls are 17. Hard work at times but a real blessing :-) i often had to remind myself of mum's words!
Advice to someone who doesn't cycle: Give it a go! It's great exercise, good for the environment, and you notice things you miss when you are in a car. Wildlife, weather, scenery, houses. It's also great for getting your mind into work mode on the way into work and to start unwinding on the way home. No traffic jams! I love to cycle because..... I can :-) and all those things I would advise to someone who doesn't cycle. Check out Karens Breeze ride snaps from Milton Keynes to Winslow! Click here to find out more about Breeze bike rides! |
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Biker Girl Annika from Germany...Check out her cycling partner Roberto in Biker Boys!
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Whats your favourite cycle song? While cycling I prefer listening to the nature, feel the wind in my face. Favourite inspiring quote? "If something will work out or not you will not find out by thinking about it, but by trying out!" (found on a postcard) Also nice to remember going uphill all day: "The harder the way, the better the feeling to have reached the goal."
Any advice for those who don't cycle? Try it out! By bike you can travel in the perfect speed - fast enough to not get bored and slow enough to really get to know people, places and cultures on the way. And in crowded cities you can move faster than busses and do not need to look long for a parking place. And finally, I love to cycle because....? No need to buy gasoline, have gratis workout, no pollution of the air, you can go offroad or on streets, enjoy the sounds of nature without listening to your engine, move faster than walking and it is easy to repair nearly anything yourself. To find out more about Roberto and Annika's fantastic project Tasting Travels & see where they are in the world please Click Here You can also follow their journey on their facebook page |
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Any advice for those who don't cycle?
t's not just for kids and hardcore fanatics. Cycling is a great way to get around and feel more connected with your surroundings and the seasons. Any random facts about yourself? I once rode a dirt bike (motorcycle) around Malawi for a year in all seasons including the rains, when bridges would fail and I would drive through rivers. I used to get lost all the time and have to ask for directions in Chichewa! And finally, I love to cycle because....? It makes me feel free! Click on the photos below to check out Nells Favourite cycle route from Milton Keynes to Northampton! Nell also took part in the CYHO Midnight Peace Ride back in August! |
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Whats your favourite song?
Jason Mraz, I'm Yours. Favourite inspiring quote? "Change your thinking and you change your world" by Norman Vincent Peale. Any advice for those who don't cycle? Try it for "just" 10 Minutes. And finally, I love to cycle because....? My body and mind feel vibrant and relaxed at the same time. Check out Katrin in the CYHO Frankfurt Gallery! |
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Whats your favourite song? Go Outside
by The Cults Favourite quote? Cycling makes me want to run around in a big circle & laugh Any advice for those who don't cycle? Get a little bike first, if you learn good, get one without stabalisers And finally, I love to cycle because....? It's my favourite thing to do in this world!   |
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