The team at the North Regional Development Group delivered exactly that with their recent ‘Give it a Go – Female Only TT’, a standout initiative that inspired and encouraged women to take on time trialling, many for the very first time.
Time trials are individual races against the clock. Riders are set off at regular intervals, typically one minute apart, with the aim of completing the course in the shortest time possible. There’s no drafting or teamwork involved—just the rider, their bike, and the ticking clock.
In this first-of-its-kind event in the north, the organisers focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment. They used social media to inspire sign-ups, answer questions, and offer encouragement, showing that time trialling truly is for everyone. The result? A fantastic 42 women registered, 40 lined up on the night, and 21 of them were racing for the very first time.
The positive feedback from participants speaks volumes:
Fee “I was really nervous prior to the event, but really enjoyed it and was so grateful for the support from Lorna Breetzke beforehand. I asked her some silly questions. Thank you to the Marshalls on the route cheering us ladies on. Well done to all the participants.”
Fiona “Thanks for organising this event and allowing us newbies to experience time trialling. I learnt a lot from it.”
Emily “Thank you for a fantastic first experience of TTs. Well done to all the participants and many thanks to all the incredible volunteers and marshals who make it happen!”
Anne “Thank you so much to everyone involved. So lovely to see so many ladies and girls enjoying their bikes, even though it was a stinky headwind home.”
Anne-Marie “What a brilliant event, my first TT and I would love to do something like this again. Thank you to everyone for being so supportive and encouraging, I met some lovely people. Thanks Lorna and team, this got me back on my bike and feeling motivated!”
Diane “What a fantastic evening and event. I’m still buzzing. Well done everyone xx”
A huge thank you to the organisers for trying something new and putting on a female-only event. It fostered an encouraging, welcoming environment and successfully attracted many new riders to the sport.
If you’re feeling inspired and want to get involved, find out more about how to get started in racing on the road. You can also check out our racing events calendar and search for upcoming time trials in your area, including two in the north: the ICC Croachy 10-Mile TT on 9 July and the Mackie Trophy Time Trial on 16 July.
For any questions or enquiries about our Women and Girls Strategy and Action Plan, please get in touch with Mel, our Women and Girls Development Manager, at [email protected].