Introducing: Megan Barclay

Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series spotlighting our amazing community of contributors.

Megan is a force for change. As an advocate for all women's right to ride and fostering inclusion at Herne Hill's iconic velodrome, we're pleased to welcome her to our ranks.

Tell us about yourself. 

I often describe myself as an activist, designer and adventure cyclist. Since I was a teenager, I’ve been involved in grassroots organising and community projects across a range of social issues, I love people and have always been drawn to spaces where I can connect with and stand alongside others. I’m a graphic designer by training and use these communication skills to share stories and engage people on complex topics – from Climate Justice to Refugee Integration and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. In recent years cycling has taken up more space and I now can’t imagine life without it. I am happiest riding off-road and bikepacking is my true love but I will give any discipline a go. This last year I’ve taken racing a bit more seriously and have just finished my best Cyclocross season yet. I’m now onto training for the UK Triple Crown: 3 off-road ultra races across England, Wales and Scotland which I’ll be riding as part of Ultra Cyclists for Palestine.

I currently split my time between being a Graphic Designer at Friends of the Earth, the Women’s Development Lead at Herne Hill Velodrome, and riding my bike.

What do you love about cycling 

The calm and joy I feel when cycling is hard to explain, it settles my mind like nothing else. I have a habit of taking the world too seriously, but riding bikes (particularly off-road) forces me to be in the present and lose myself in the physical game of getting through a landscape. I grew up in the city without much of a personal connection to nature but cycling has given me the incredible gift of feeling at home in the outdoors, the freedom it offers is infinite. But the most special thing is the community – anywhere you go, cycling is a beautiful connector. 

What barriers have you faced in cycling

I’ve always been pretty active but mainly danced until I was 18. My older brother rode and raced Downhill MTB and Four-Cross but I was actively repulsed by the idea of riding off-road and for a long time only rode my bike to get around. I now wonder if my reaction would have been different had the role-models or media around these sports been more diverse. 

In school I was mortified by my exceptionally red face and ability to sweat after doing exercise. I’m proud that this didn’t hold me back from being active but I know it was the manicured beauty standards for women that encouraged these anxieties – and what a waste of time being worried about that.

Why were you interested in contributing?

I have a lot of time for media that encourages us to slow down and gives human stories the space they need. I’ve enjoyed reading other contributors' words, there are so many that resonate as well as nuanced perspectives that remind me to look at things in different ways. As always, the world needs more ways for people to connect and (not to deep it too much) I know spaces like this help do that. 

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

Since racing bikes I have been saddened by the majority Male and exceptionally White startlines. I won’t pretend I’m entirely shocked, we see the centuries of marginalisation towards different identities – race, gender, social-economic or geographical background – reflected back at us in mainstream cycling. I’d love to see more people racing bikes but I know that turning up takes a lot (of effort, money and confidence), then if you don’t feel welcomed or included you’re unlikely to come back. 

British Cycling and Cycling UK’s hateful trans-exclusionary policies are examples of energy going in exactly the wrong direction and suggest an industry reluctant to change. I constantly battle with my moral compass as I take part in events that reward people with patriarchal metrics and measure fair against the binary. But I don’t know what the answer is. There is something inside me that loves racing but the exclusivity and toxicity around performance are at odds with what I value. 

As always it’s the grassroots that give me hope for a different kind of racing. Shout-out to the Adventure Syndicate’s Tour De Farce as a shining example of this. 

Your fondest memory on the bike 

Last winter me and my ex planned a MTB bikepacking trip in Wales and it ended up falling on days after a big dump of snow, some of the first in ages. We didn’t realise quite how snowy our route would be until we got to the start but this new element helped make the mini-adventure even more special. Our pace slowed, we moved through hills of breathtaking untouched powder, and we barely saw another person. We fought to keep our hands and toes warm and had some lovely interactions with locals as they gave up their spots by the pub fire with shocked faces. 

Before that trip I never would have thought I could confidently ride in the snow and be the kind of adventurer this anecdote suggests. It felt wild and crazy but was magical and completely possible, and once again cycling made me rethink what I am capable of.

Where are you from: Bristol 

Where do you live: SE London, a place I have a love hate relationship with

Are you part of a Club/team:I am a proud member of Velociposse – a community cycling club for all women, all trans, and all non-binary people. We ride all kinds of bikes and seek opportunities to support others to do the same, including advocating for more inclusive cycling for marginalised genders.

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Do you want to explore more inspirational stories? Check out all of our contributor bios here