HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE...

Loretta Pritchard is six stone lighter after taking to two wheels

to 16. I ride a Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike and have a Specialized Secteur Elite I’ve upgraded with Fulcrum wheels and Shimano 105 pedals.

WHAT ARE YOUR CYCLING ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE?

I ride every week from Westbury, Wiltshire. It’s given me a new lease of life and happiness. I ride the mountain bike on a 24-mile circuit along the Two Tunnels route that goes to Bath, and I also do various rides around Salisbury Plain. When I first got my road bike I cycled the BathBristol railway path to get used to it before venturing into traffic. I’m doing a Women V Cancer through the night ride (100km) in May: www.justgiving.com/ Loretta-Pritchard21?utm_ id=26.

HOW HAS IT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

Slimming World gave me the diet advice regarding the healthy foods I can enjoy plus the motivation to stick at it. I find cycling is great for both body and mind. If I miss a day of cycling I envy those out there on bikes. To those who admire what I’ve done I say just do it: be brave, get a bike and start riding – you’ll never look back!

TOP TIPS

I discovered Fat Lass at the Back clothing recently. It’s amazing and means you can look the part, which makes you want to get out and ride.