Introducing: Bianca Fernandez-Clark

Where are you from?

I’m originally from the Dominican Republic, but I’ve lived in Europe for 18 years — first in Spain for my master’s, and the past decade in the UK.

Where do you live?

London, UK.

Are you part of a club/team?

Yes. I’m part of Liv Camden, a women-only club — I love having that space. I do ride with other clubs and people, but Liv is the place that feels like my team.

Bianca at the T100 Triathlon

Tell us about yourself.

I’m Bianca Fernandez-Clark. I’m a triathlete and the Chair of Women in Tri UK, a charity aimed at breaking down barriers for women in swim, bike, run and triathlon. I started running at 29 to support my mental health with no background in sport; a few years later I learned to swim and cycle to do a small triathlon, and the rest is history! I’ve completed 12+ marathons and 7 full-distance triathlons.

Social media: biancatriathlon & Women in Tri

What do you love about cycling?

I started cycling just to take part in triathlons, so it was very much a means to an end at first. But I fell in love with it quickly. Exploring places by bike is the best: being outdoors on a bike is hard to match, I take my bike everywhere I go!

What barriers have you faced in cycling?

Honestly, so many, and I still find them!. My first ever group ride was a club “beginners” social; I got dropped within 1–2 km, didn’t know the route, buried myself trying to catch up and actually passed out when we reached the cafe. I never went back. Unwelcoming cycling groups are rampant, which is why cycling can feel so gatekept. Practical barriers too like helmet options that don’t fit afro hair. And then there’s the cycling club culture (not this one, the one out there...!). I would say I love cycling but I hate the culture if that makes sense? 

Why were you interested in contributing?

I’m here for everything that amplifies diverse voices — especially in cycling. Some days it feels like there’s no hope for it to become truly diverse, but we keep trying.

If you’re comfortable, tell us about your personal experience of diversity in cycling.

I’m an experienced cyclist and still feel inadequate in some mixed clubs. Recently, I rode with someone new who spent two hours explaining cycling to me — “go hard on this hill,” “stay on my wheel,” “don’t lose momentum on the descent.” I’m saying, please stop — I’ve cycled LEJOG! I know how to ride a bike. Experiences like that are unwelcoming and keep women from taking up space and feeling like they belong.

Finding Giant Camden Team Liv (Liv Camden) - a women-only cycling club - changed everything for me. They truly cater for beginners, and the women-only space is so welcoming and supportive. That’s where my love for cycling really took off.

Your fondest memory on the bike.

I’ve had so many. I take my bike everywhere, so it’s hard to choose — but cycling up Monte Baldo is right up there for a few reasons. I went solo to a bike hotel on Lake Garda. The route starts with some flat (ugly and boring) kilometres to the base, then a 21 km climb with 1500m elevation that’s featured in the Giro. Someone who had been before suggested taking the shuttle to avoid the first 40km and save the legs, because the climb is a beast! We checked it out in the morning and the hotel sign read: “We offer a shuttle to shorten the ride — women have priority.!” Wait, what?! Here we go, we don’t need priority because we’re women. In fact, the other woman and I were among the strongest riders in the group, so we turned around and rode everything. We both felt like we had to prove something. The climb was brutal and beautiful, and I did feel all the time 'I wished I had taken the shuttle!" but we absolutely loved it and made our point as she finished third-fastest on the day and I was top half. When I came back I said I felt I was in a Charles Dickens novel: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"