Hello, I’m Lauren and last year I took my first steps into the world of club cycling and road racing. Having experienced the warmth of the cycling community and the initiatives for women of all abilities, I wish I had delved into the sport years ago! Club cycling is about so much more than competition and physical exertion: it’s about companionship and community; setting goals; learning new skills; overcoming setbacks; being inspired by others; experiencing achievement and making memories. Why not reach out to your local group and give it a go?
I’d deliberated joining a cycling club since the pandemic. My partner is an avid cyclist and since meeting in high school his love for the sport had steadily rubbed-off on me, but I’d always been too nervous to try. Club cyclists looked so experienced and professional, how would I know what to do and fit in? While I loved chasing Strava segments and pedalling through the countryside, my family weren’t cyclists and I was unfamiliar with the racing categories and technicalities. Eventually, after much encouragement from my partner and our friends, I reached out to our local club, Edinburgh Road Club (ERC).
To my relief, ERC were very welcoming and ensured I was well looked-after. They explained which club rides to attend, what to bring, and ensured the ride-leader took me under their wing from the moment I arrived. There were, however, very few females and I was keen to meet some like-minded ladies and to upskill myself.
After a bit of googling, I came across Women’s Hour at the West Lothian Cycle Circuit. This amazing group of women – some in cleats, others in trainers – practicing their bike handling while working out in a safe environment was just what I was looking for. From gear changing to cadence and cornering, the coaches’ attentive and step-by-step approach made sure I never felt self-conscious. I left the circuit sweaty but smiling. My mum’s decision to join the group this year is a true testament to their inclusiveness—it’ll be her first ever group bike ride!
Competitive by nature and inspired by watching others race, I signed up for the next local race that accepted Cat 4’s. Standing at the start in my baggy borrowed jersey, surrounded mainly by men and a solitary other female (her warm-up on the rollers suggested it wasn’t her first rodeo), I was a fish out of water. Where were all the women? Unsurprisingly, I was dropped almost instantly. Only later did I discover that I’d entered an Open race (meaning open to anyone), not a Female race. I resolved to try again, but this time in a Female race. Easier said than done, I eventually found a beginners-friendly, women-only criterium race. For ladies looking to try racing, I can’t recommend the crit series more! There was a great balance of camaraderie, competition and clear guidance. I wasn’t the only one unfamiliar with racing terms like prime (an intermediate sprint, nothing to do with Amazon). This new-found love for competitive cycling kick-started my quest to earn the points required for Cat 3 and beyond.
Entries for the 2025 TCI Friday Series at West Lothian Cycle Circuit are open here.
The Scotia series – Scotland’s female road race series – brought new challenges. Riding behind a car, feeding, high speed descents… My inexperience and the opportunities for learning were endless. I began to prioritise what to work on. If you’re new to racing just remember that with practice anyone can master these skills – everybody must start somewhere and progress itself is an achievement.
As I began racing nationally, it quickly became apparent that most people rode for a team. Eager to make friends and benefit from a team’s support, I emailed all the female teams in the UK. Some didn’t respond (in fairness I didn’t have any results, just big aspirations) and those who did gave useful advice but couldn’t offer me a place. Despite this, other riders (male and female) ensured to include me in their conversations at races and I was touched by their friendliness and words of wisdom.
When my entry for the British Road Championships was accepted, I was both thrilled and terrified. I trained hard, before and after work most days, but I didn’t have a team for support. Instead, I invited my best friend and parents along and – having hastily practiced bottle changes on our road – my dad did my feed. Riding alongside the World Tour and Continental riders was incredibly inspiring. I ultimately punctured in the final 3km and didn’t finish, but the memories and excitement far-outweighed the result.
In July I raced my first British Road Series. Before the race a mechanic from the Scottish Continental Team, Alba Road Team, spotted me struggling with the transponder (timing chip) and lent a hand, an act of kindness that encapsulated the sense of community. Nobody predicted that I would finish 2nd overall and win the climber’s competition.
The next week I was honoured to accept a place on Alba Road Team, for whom I later raced my first UCI races in Europe and I continue to race this season nationally and internationally (now Handsling-Alba). This winter Scottish Cycling’s Performance Pathway also introduced me to the incredible world of track cycling, where I am working to qualify for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Starting from scratch is daunting, but reflecting on your progress and working towards goals, however big or small, is rewarding.
When I plucked up the courage to join a club, I couldn’t have anticipated how welcoming and supportive cyclists, coaches and officials would be, nor where the journey through cycling would take me. Cycling has a place for everyone and to anyone considering giving it a go, I couldn’t recommend it more and wish to welcome them with all the support possible. Don’t be deterred if you’ve never used clip-in shoes or don’t have the latest bike: reach out to your local group and ask for advice. Who knows where cycling could take you!
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your journey—from joining your local cycling club to competing on the international stage. If you’re interested in getting started with road racing, click here for more information.
Would you like to share your cycling story for our monthly Scottish Cycling BlogHer series? Get in touch with Melanie Toner, our Women and Girls Development Manager, at [email protected].