Celebrating the Women of Cycling Culture Club
- Mérida Miller
- 3 days ago
- 15 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
March is a time to celebrate the stories, strength, and impact of women everywhere. For Cycling Culture Club, Women’s History Month is a reminder that the freedom we find on two wheels was shaped by women who pushed boundaries and claimed their space in cycling.
For generations, women have used the bicycle as a symbol of independence and a vehicle for change. They’ve challenged norms, built community, organised rides, led movements, and redefined what cycling culture looks like on the streets, on the trails, and at the start line.
This month, we honour those who paved the way, celebrate those leading today, and uplift the next generation of riders. Cycling Culture Club remains committed to creating a space where women are supported, represented, and empowered every time they ride.
Forward by Karla Williams
Donna McConnell, UK
Why I Ride.
After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Roads I haven't ridden, views I haven't seen, the challenge of riding a climb better, sunny days spent outside, coffee and good chat on the bike. Just trying to be stronger and tackle the climbs better than I did the last time.
Cycling Through a Life Change
Parenthood, grief, injury, burnout, aging, moving country — where did the bike fit in?
I started riding with groups after turning 50 and I was already in perimenopause, so I've been navigating this pretty significant part of life along with trying to grow as a cyclist. During this period, I completed an Ironman, more triathlons, and multi-day rides in Scotland, France, Italy, Spain and Rwanda. It's definitely been challenging but finding a place with the cycling community, along with the new adventures, has given me something to hold onto, to stay fit for, and more motivation to manage my health well. And it has helped me to see life and the world in new ways during this challenging phase.
The Myth of the “Real Cyclist”
Who gets centered? Who gets left out?
Black women, older women, women who are plus-sized are pretty invisible in the cycling community. Cycling typically promotes quite a narrow image of what a cyclist looks like and rarely deviates from it. It actually creates a barrier to more people cycling because they think it isn't for them. Which is why I think social media in this instance really helps because you can use it to counter the dominant narrative. It's also dangerous as it subconsciously promotes thinness as the ideal. But you can weigh more than 60kgs and go up 20km climbs. Being strong is what matters, and we don't see enough about that.
Read more of Donna's story here.
Lisa Bourne, USA
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Feeling my strongest, most beautiful self on my baby 🚴🏽♀️
The Ride That Changed Me;
A moment on the bike that shifted something inside you.
2000 - My first, multi-day charity Gran Fondo - the Tanqueray AIDS Ride - cycling 350 miles from North Carolina to Washington D.C. I’d not ridden a bike since I was a kid. Fell in love with spin class, bought my first hybrid bike, taught myself clipless pedals and the rest is history. Seeing such a beautiful part of the country from the saddle and raising funds for others in need was life-changing for me. I think I felt my own power and the power of the cyclist community for the first time.
Cycling Through a Life Change;
Parenthood, grief, injury, burnout, aging, moving country — where did the bike fit in?
In 2023 it became clear to me that I needed to make major changes in my life. My Father’s health was starting to seriously decline and I intuitively felt that my personal journey was becoming increasingly misaligned with the dreams I harbored deep inside. I recognized the need to develop a plan that would enable me to spend more quality time with my family, while also honoring the soul calling I had to explore my love of Spain, Europe, cycling, and all the opportunities I could stay open for!
🦋Have you ever dreamt of moving to a place 5,000+ miles away that you’d only visited but tugged on your heart and soul so intensely that you couldn’t get it out of your mind? I DID THAT.
🦋Have you ever sold 90% of your belongings and conducted a physical and spiritual purge to create space for what needed to be born in your life? I DID THAT.
🦋Have you ever taken a full break from your career journey to focus on life’s other fundamentals so you could live a life free of regrets? I DID THAT.
I traveled to 4 countries 🇪🇸🇩🇪🇳🇱🇮🇪with a one BIG suitcase, a backpack, and my road bike. I cycled close to 1,000 miles, climbed over 56,000 ft in elevation, and made a lifetime of memories! Here are some of the lessons I learned:
💫 Personal Power in Choices - Creating space for new dreams and new ways to identify with the world is necessary but CHALLENGING! I say this with a full appreciation of the privilege I had in planning for and then actually taking a career break. Even if extended breaks are not possible, it’s critical to build in quiet moments to listen to and honor the voice inside to enable even the smallest shifts in our daily routines that might help us realign towards growth..
💫 Limitless Possibilities - Our passions lead us to purpose, joy, and meaningful connections that lead to impact. In this next phase of my life I’m deciding to focus on what GIVES ME ENERGY and not limiting myself to outdated, ‘one-size-fits-all’ notions of achievement. I AM ENOUGH and celebrate the diversity of my interests, experiences, and heritage.
💫Bravery, Resiliency & Flow - I can survive and thrive through MAJOR CHANGE. Being fluent in Spanish and having visited many times before, made my time in Spain much more familiar, but I still uprooted my entire life to follow my heart. I learned I’m a BUILDER and I’m not as afraid of change as I thought I was!
Read more of Lisa's story here.
Mérida Miller, Spain
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Riding to me is the closest thing to pure freedom. No matter if its a 1hr ride or 7hrs, with the right tires, I feel like I can go anywhere.
I love seeing even the tiniest improvements to my strength and skills, it gives me confidence both on and off the bike.
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
The point where it became something more.
I've never been someone to just "dabble" - if I find something I like, I tend to jump in headfirst. Cycling was no different. I started cycling at a time in my life when I was overwhelmed with work, depressed, and trying to find some sort of structure. To be honest, I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I remember how excited I was to finish a 34km ride on my first beginner clinic. I hadn't felt that freedom and rush in a long time. I'm not sure it was ever just a hobby for me. It quickly became something I thought about 24/7, a space for me that I could just enjoy for me. I soon built some of my strongest friendships through communities within cycling and 2 years after my first road ride, I tried gravel for the first time and the rest was history. Gravel has become more than a hobby, more than a sport; it's become my safe place, the place where I push my physical and mental limits. It's where I grow and also find gratitude for what my body is truly capable of.
Read more of Mérida's story here.
Karla Williams, UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
No matter how messy life gets, riding clears my mind, steadies my heart, and reminds me to just breathe and enjoy the moment.
The Ride That Changed Me
Share a moment on the bike that shifted something inside you.
The bikepacking trip from Suffolk UK to Berlin, Germany, was the moment everything started for me a new chapter, a chance to try it all. I can’t say I did it solo, I had the best company, and their support made all the difference. That ride showed me I could push through doubts, fatigue, and uncertainty, and reach a goal I hadn’t thought possible. With the right people by your side and determination in your mind, anything truly feels possible.
Now, I’m in a moment of life where I want to embrace new experiences, every adventure, every challenge, every connection, while learning to focus on what truly matters. I want to give back to the cycling world, to support women in cycling, and help others find the joy and confidence I’ve discovered on the bike.
That ride reminded me that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s taking the next step, trusting yourself, and finding joy in every turn along the journey.
Cycling Through a Life Change
Parenthood, grief, injury, burnout, aging, moving country — where did the bike fit in?
Cycling has been part of every chapter of my life, from parenthood to grief, from injury to the journey of discovering myself. After having a baby, it gave me a way to reconnect with my body and carve out a little “me time” when motherhood felt overwhelming. It helped me heal after injuries, and even more than that, it brought me a tribe of strong, incredible women friends who held me up through loss and difficult moments, reminding me I wasn’t alone.
Through it all, cycling has been my constant companion. It’s where I find clarity, peace, and a little bit of joy even on the hardest days. It’s not about the miles or the speed, it’s about the moments on the trail, the laughter shared with friends, and the quiet time to reflect. I ride because it reminds me who I am, helps me keep going, and connects me to people and experiences I’ll always carry with me.
Read more of Karla's story here.
Iman Achieng, South Africa
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
The trees, they always call me back, they whisper to me in my sleep and in my dreams.
The point where it became something more;
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
This is a hard question because it’s not easy to line up when exactly the shift happened, but now I almost fully work with athletes as a muscle therapist and staying curious by learning and understanding more about recovery, helping athletes of all kind recover from their sports so they can have decent pain-free lives. So the shift happened when I actively started learning more about muscles and how to efficiently ride my bike and recover from the hard efforts. Now I use this knowledge professionally.
Read more of Iman's story here.
Nunziella Salluce, UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
I ride because it is my source of happiness. It’s where my mind finds freedom and I can truly enjoy the fresh air. For me, the bicycle is a tool for discovery; it allows me to travel to new places and encounter incredible stories and people. But I don't just ride for myself: I ride for the community. I love the shared energy of adventuring with other riders. My mission is to show that off-road cycling and bikepacking are accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point. Every ride is a personal challenge, a chance to test my limits and see just how far my body and mind can go.
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
The point where it became something more.
The shift from "hobby" to passion happened when I stepped into the world of cycling clubs. Learning the technical skills of group riding made me reflect on my own rapid progress and it sparked a desire to give back. I realized I wanted to help others build their confidence and discover the joy of social riding. When I began bikepacking and traveling further afield, everything clicked. I started documenting these adventures to show my community that this journey is possible for everyone, turning my personal rides into a mission to inspire.
The Myth of the “Real Cyclist”
Who gets centered? Who gets left out?
It doesn't matter if it's 5km or 500km. While most of cycling focuses on the podium, my mission is to focus on the "party pace". I want to show the community that travel and adventure are far more rewarding than competition. It’s not about how fast you get there, but the stories you collect along the way.
Read more of Nunziella's story here.
Kasia Szomborg, Germany
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Because it’s one of the only times my brain gets a bit of quiet. No emails, no news, no checking my phone every five minutes just to discover something new to worry about. When I’m riding through the woods, it’s just me, the trees, and a couple of hours where the only job is to keep moving. Somewhere along the way my head clears and I remember how nice it is to just exist for a bit without thinking about everything else. So I keep coming back.
The Ride That Changed Me
Share a moment on the bike that shifted something inside you.
The ride that changed me was my first Tuscany Trail that I did with two other CCC contributors, Ale and Nunziella.
Before that I wasn’t convinced I was someone who could do “hard things” on the bike, especially when it came to climbs. I loved riding, but big days and long climbs still felt like something other people were better at. But I got there and I just kept pedalling and suddenly the idea that I couldn’t do it stopped making sense. Maybe I had a little cry at the finish.
Some time later that belief got reinforced when I did my first non-stop ride and covered 430 km in under 24 hours. At that point it became pretty clear that most of the limits I had on the bike were mostly in my head.
The Myth of the “Real Cyclist”
Who gets centered? Who gets left out?
This is a tough one and something that often comes up in conversations with friends. Who is the “real” cyclist? Is it the pros? The ultra riders? The ones only doing group rides with multiple café stops? The ones who’ve never ridden more than 50km in one go? The ones with the fancy bikes? Or the middle-aged man casually smoking you on a random commute uphill?
I don’t have an answer, and I’m not sure there should be one way to measure your cyslistness. If you ride a bike and it means something to you, that should probably be enough.
Read more of Kasia's story here.
Natasha Caleia-Ramos, UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Freedom and discovery as a kind of therapy. Also the mud and feeling of my heart pounding out my chest flying around a CX course!
Cycling Through a Life Change
Parenthood, grief, injury, burnout, aging, moving country — where did the bike fit in?
I lost a friend in 2022 and in the immediate wake of his death, for sometime, a couple of years even, I found it quite hard to ride ‘for fun’ and just let myself enjoy it. This was also pretty tricky as I had some big events coming up. Because I was in this grieving state and couldn’t shift out of it, it was an almost impossible cycle to see myself outside of. I sort of hoped it would be that therapy tool but I think I realised it sort of wasn’t because the sort of riding I pushed myself into is what I wasn’t enjoying. So I think maybe even just commuting with the odd race is all that kept me going really, it just kept me moving above all. I also learned that it’s ok to not expect cycling to solve things. But at the right time I can save you mentally.
I think my very first Cyclocross race at Herne Hill was the moment that changed. I’d been riding distances and some bike packing years before. I’d signed up to the women’s training sessions and where they prepared us for our first race of the league (suitably hosted at the velodrome). I’d gotten obsessed with watching the pros over the previous winter and was desperate to try it. I just remember riding around the course on a warm day, grinning from ear to ear for the whole 40 minutes! It was kind of like being a kid again, there were people you’d never even meet cheering and the atmosphere was just so welcoming to a newbie. That was when I fell in love with it and decided I was committed!
Read more of Natasha's story here.
Lisa Okawa, UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
The friends who encourage you to ride together and the incredible scenery you have yet to explore.
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
The point where it became something more.
When it gave me a part of my ‘ikigai’. Growing up with a Japanese culture, this was always important to find multiple things in life that make you happy and linking it back to purpose. Cycling has not only made me enjoy it as a hobby, but something I am passionate about, leading me to what I do for my job in sport and being a trustee for Herne Hill Velodrome.
Read more of Lisa's story here.
Ade Ola, England
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
I enjoy the physical challenge of it, the fact that I can cover large distances powered by nothing by my own legs and the sense of freedom being in motion on a bike gives me.
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
The point where it became something more.
I became ambitious about cycling when I first heard about Fiona Kolbinger winning the Transcontinental Race. She won in 2019 and it was over year later when I found out about it. I wasn't even a cyclist at that point, not really. It was during the pandemic and I'd just ordered my first bike and was watching lots of YouTube videos to learn about this new hobby and to get ideas for bikepacking trips. I'd previously couchsurfed my way round places like Iran and Ukraine, alone, done a few solo multi-day hikes and I envisioned myself building my way up to going to similar places on my fancy new bike.
Hearing about Fiona immediately got me interested in ultra cycling and I started making plans to enter that world, starting with London Edinburgh London in 2022. It's not a million miles away from what I was originally interested in, but for me the big challenge with ultra events is the time limit -- you're not on your own schedule and that changes everything. Turns it into a true challenge and that's what really appeals to me - having this arbitrary time threshold that you have to cross.
I did LEL in 2022 and Ride Across Britain in 2024 but I didn't complete either of them. So the whole time limit thing remains elusive, but it's a goal I'm still chasing and I live for the day when I'll feel I've earned the right to call myself an ultra cyclist.
The Myth of the “Real Cyclist”
Who gets centered? Who gets left out?
I run a charity called the Women of Colour Cycling Collective. It's a support network for WTNB cyclists from global majority backgrounds and one of the things about it that I'm really proud of is the breadth of experience we have among our membership. We have everything from complete beginners, commuters, racers, triathletes and casual bikepackers, right up to someone who has actually completed the Transcontinental Race.
The key thing about all that is that we have the capacity to inspire from within, which is such a precious thing. By that I mean that someone joining our collective can look around and find other women like them achieving and or training to achieve amazing things on two wheels.
The wider cycling world might ignore us but we dream big, we achieve big and we celebrate ourselves, whatever the outcome of our adventures.
Yewie (Yewande), UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
The challenge and the opportunity to develop (as an athlete and also more generally as a person). Most of the riding I do is geared around racing on the track, but I also enjoy the challenge of riding off-road and using it as an opportunity to explore.
The Ride That Changed Me
Share a moment on the bike that shifted something inside you.
The first time I rode on an indoor velodrome. Up until that point I had experienced cycling as cross-training for rowing, but was now thinking about which sport I could transition to.
I didn't know a great deal about track cycling back then; I'd never been on a fixed gear bike; and the banking at the Olympic velodrome in London looked terrifying! But the feeling I had after going around for a few laps had me hooked and from that point I was determined to see how far I could get.
When Did Cycling Stop Being “Just a Hobby”?
The point where it became something more.
I think it's still a hobby - albeit an expensive one that I want to be good at!
There was a bit of shift in how I approached cycling when I had an ambassador role for some brands, and I lost a bit of love for the sport. But in all honesty, thinking of it as a hobby and something I choose to do for myself has meant that I still enjoy riding my bike and am continuing to make progress as a result.
Read more of Yewie's story here.
Lumes, UK
Why I Ride. After everything — what keeps you coming back?
Forever chasing those moments on a ride when everything clicks - legs feel amazing, mind is sharp and free, road is smooth, laughs are plentiful, sun is warm and breeze is cool, power feels endless, and you get to feel how it must feel to fly. Bliss.
The Ride That Changed Me
Share a moment on the bike that shifted something inside you.
I rode all 9 stages of the women’s Tour de France Femmes a day before the pros and raised an outrageous amount of money to help kids with blood cancer. I’m not a pro, I’m just a girl who learned how to ride a bike a few years ago. But I set my mind to that one singular goal, gave it everything my mind and body had, and blew my own mind with my little legs. It was just a bike ride but it changed EVERYTHING.
The Myth of the “Real Cyclist”
Who gets centered? Who gets left out?
Real cyclists haven’t always looked like me. I’m curvy, I’m African, I’m 40. A real cyclist is someone who rides a bike no matter what they look like.
Read more of Lumes' story here.
Do you want to explore more inspirational stories? Check out all of our contributor bios here
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