Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series spotlighting our amazing community of contributors.
From: Kenya
Lives: London
Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, moving to the UK when I was 18 to study and eventually live and settle in London. I work as a Management Consultant in the City and spend most of my spare time on the bike with my mates, and new people alike, and capturing these moments as they go by. I am indeed a cyclist borne out of lockdown, taking up the sport primary as a way to see more of the world around me when we were not granted the opportunity to do so; this has now transitioned to using the sport as a medium for connecting with like minded people, and connecting with my own body and soul
What do you like about cycling
In a period of grief after losing my father at the start of 2023, cycling has been the saving grace in taking my mind off things, and distractions and speaking openly about my struggle with a select few at the time when all hope seems lost. One cannot overcome grief, it's a process, and cycling has helped with that process
I feel healthier and better about my body and this has had tremendous knock-on effects on other aspects of my life (mental health, work, relationships). It means I go to the pub less during the weekends - yes I may be missing out on some occasions but nothing beats waking up with no hangover the next morning ready to clock some miles
Seeing more of the world: I’ve had the opportunity to travel to some amazing locations, and have so much in the pipeline of what’s to come. Dreaming of the next time i’ll be descending down a Col somewhere in Europe..I can return from holiday feeling more rejuvenated and not needing another holiday straight away (within reason, of course)
With almost every bike ride, I get the chance to meet at least one new person. It's such a privilege to connect with like-minded people (and sometimes even different!) as it enhances my perspective on what life truly means for myself and others. The cycling community is the most supportive community with everyone encouraging each other to be the best version of themselves, and I am glad I can be part of that experience
What barriers have you faced in cycling
Starting out as a newbie in any sport is gonna be a challenge. With cycling the first thing I noticed was that not that many people looked like me i.e. of black heritage. It took a bit of time, effort and exposure on social media and the outside community to seek out people from a similar background who have gone through similar experiences. It's really encouraging to see communities such as Chain Gang Cyclists, among others, provide underrepresented groups a platform in which they can thrive in the sport without fear of exclusion. We are still a long way away in having near-equal representation in the sport, however, positive steps are underway
Why was I interested in contributing
I’m keen to be a voice of representation for black cyclists, to show non-cyclists who may still be unsure about whether they would be accepted in the sport, that it is possible to be black, and a cyclist. I want to be vulnerable in a safe space, and openly talk about the positives, struggles, and challenges both on and off the bike; this is what true connection with others thrives upon.
Your fondest memory on the bike
Taking part in a 420 km Audax challenge with a couple of my mates, without any sort of training, because I find it hard to say no to difficult rides due to FOMO. It was truly a humbling experience; you may think you are good at cycling until you have to cover the length of London > Newcastle in a single day, with a considerable amount of time spent in the night, early hours of the morning, in the cold and dark…it's a whole other ballgame, but felt good after!