I started track cycling in my 50s!
My health started to worry me when I was 53. My dad had a stroke at 50 and my mum had health problems, so when I hit my 50s overweight and unfit,
I thought: Here we go…
I weighed 100kg (15st 7lb) and hadn’t exercised regularly since my teens. I had a civil-servant desk job and when my office introduced a cycle-to-work scheme where I could buy a bike with a tax-free loan, I thought it’d be a great way to shape up.
I hadn’t ridden a bike since childhood but how hard can it be? The answer was much harder than I thought!
I was fine with the balance but it made me so out of breath. I managed to ride half a mile before collapsing with legs like jelly.
But I wasn’t giving up. I Googled local cycling groups and joined a social ride. The people were so supportive. They showed me short rides near home which I could build up to. It became a challenge to go a bit further each time.
Competitive edge
I moved to a bike with curly handbars and tried an indoor track session. It was daunting – track bikes don’t have gears or brakes, and you’re clipped into the pedals.
I loved the buzz and started doing it more. I entered a few competitions, competing against younger women who’d lap me several times but I didn’t care – it’s the thrill of taking part.
Last year, I rode over 3,000 miles – 1,000 of them in the velodrome. I’ve lost 30kg
(4st 7lb) and I’m fitter, more confident and happier.
This year’s highlights were being named one of charity Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling and coming fourth in my age category of the UK Track Masters event.
I’m now training for next year’s world championships in Manchester and I’m determined to make the podium once in my life!