Introducing: Natasha Caleia Ramos

Welcome to CCC introduces, our series spotlighting the incredible contributors who give their time and energy to Cycling Culture Club.

Today, we sit down with Natasha. Portuguese and Angolan originally, Natasha now enjoys suburban life in South London, racing bikes, and working at Assos' flagship retail store.

Words: Natasha Caleia-Ramos

Photos: Natasha Caleia-Ramos

Socials: roadtash_10

Tell us about yourself

I’m Natasha and I work in the industry with Assos of Switzerland in our Regent Street boutique. I’m a part time creative, graduating in Fine Art many years ago. I try to maintain a small creative practice in the form of a shoe painting project which is always in the background and a full time hussler of ( I reckon) the best cycling kit out there! In the winter months, I’m a weathered CX racer, so you’ll find me in various fields anywhere between London & Dover racing our awesome local leagues.

What do you love about Cycling?

I think I have 3 perceptions of what I love about cycling. I often love the solitude and isolation of riding alone and the discovery and freedom of both the location this gives me and in the mental aspect too. Sometimes I bike pack and I love the journeys these rides take me on through landscapes new or as a place to just air myself out and to go with some form of natural flow. On the other hand, I love immersing myself in the communities of people this sort of riding brings. The ultra scene is full (like the cx scene) of families that all love that same freedom and I definitely gravitate towards this too. I also love to race and be competitive!! It’s important for me to have these different versions as the on and off switch I think.

What barriers have you faced in cycling?

It’s an incredibly expensive and elitest sport at times and for me the cost will always be the main barrier that prevents me travelling with a bike or entering the events I’d love to tick off the wishlist. I think the Cycling industry can promote inclusion but often without being inclusive! It’s quite tricky at times when cycling is such a male dominated environment to be in and there aren’t that many women who actually work in the industry. The support systems are sometimes a bit harder to find but it’s important to realise the privilege I do have in what I do, so I take what I have and make the most of it really. 

Why were you interested in contributing?

I take so much joy from being around such happy people in my close network of cycling friends and seeing so many new places and would love for other people, women, new riders, and older riders to also benefit from the knowledge that they can do the same. Its mad but a couple of times people have told me that I inspired them to get on their bikes and ride and I think that is the only reason you need to want to be involved in contributing to a collective of this nature.

What's your experience with diversity in cycling 

My experiences of Diversity in cycling to be honest have been great. I’ve never come across any attitudes that have questioned me and my presence in the sport. I have friends that I see treated differently, which of course is not direct but to see it and feel it through them is an important narrative, and one that I hope cycling as a whole can cultivate a healthier attitude towards in the future. 

Favourite moment on the bike?

Literally all of the Pennine Rally a couple of years ago! It was my first real intro into ultra bikepaking and I just remember the first day riding through Scotland just being beautiful. I was seeing new places for the first time in stunning weather and it was just perfect. Being able to just ride with nothing in my head other than elation was a really special experience and is why I now have a list of events I desperately want to do!

Where are you from?

I am from a town in Hertfordshire called Hatfield. I grew up there and then moved to Norfolk in my early teens where I stayed until leaving art school. My dad’s side of the family is Portuguese/Angolan also, so home is Portugal to me too, where the majority of my family are.

Where do you live?

Currently living in South London, not too far from some dinosaurs.

Are you part of a team, club or group?

I am part of the Assos UK Race team but it’s a pretty chilled bunch of us that mostly work together, plus a few of our friends of the brand.

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