It’s International Womens Day and we’re celebrating some of women who are doing exceptional things in cycling.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements while calling for gender equality.
It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8.
The theme for IWD 2018 is #PressforProgress, a nod to the growing global movement of advocacy, activism and support surrounding gender parity and sexism.
At Scottish Cycling we are very proud of each and every woman who gets on their bike or volunteers at an event. This IWD we are showcasing some of those amazing women.
Katie Archibald
Milngavie born Katie first showed considerable skills to the world of grass track racing before becoming a member of the Great Britain 2016 Olympic champion team in women's team pursuit. Individually, Archibald has been European champion in the elimination race in 2015, twice in the omnium in 2016 and 2017 and a four time European champion in the individual pursuit between 2014 and 2017. In 2017 she secured her first individual global title, winning the Omnium at the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. 2018 kicked off in splendid style for Katie, winning four British Champion ship titles. Off the bike Katie remains down to earth and hilarious.
Carole O’Hare
Carole is an exceptionally dedicated supporter of cycling in Scotland, and has been a constant presence at events, enthusiastically assisting organisers during outdoor events and being a stalwart of the Scottish National Track League, whilst bravely taking the reins of two National Track Championships – the first track Championships to be organised by a volunteer at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome since it opened 2013. With her thoughtful, cover-all-requirements approach, such as providing document packs for each timekeeper, or advance batching safety pins for rider numbers, she ensures that everything runs as smoothly as it can 'behind the scenes'. Carole recently won the Scottish Cycling Volunteer of the Year – what a woman!
Anne Livingstone
Anne Livingstone completed the Breeze Champion training course in November 2015 and to date has led 72 Breeze rides. She has a regular group of four women who join her on her rides from Freewheel North at Glasgow Green at 11am on Mondays.
Anne said, "My regulars often tell me how much they enjoy the fresh air, exercise, fun and the social aspects of cycling in a group. They often remark on seeing bits of Glasgow they never knew existed.
It takes a lot of courage to come along to a group for the first time, and it's an absolute joy for me to see people blossoming in terms of both cycling ability and general confidence. I can observe their progress from week to week, and it's great to see someone managing a hill that they couldn't do previously."
Teenage Girls Bikepacking Adventure
Amazing things happen when women work together to break down barriers. This was highlighted by with the focus on inspiring confidence, Scottish Cycling, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), The Adventure Cycling Syndicate and Velocity Café who recently offered an amazing opportunity for girls between the ages of 13- 16 to take on full on weekend of adventure developing independence and just getting out there and having an adventure. The girls, supported by leaders, set off on a bike packing adventure following part of the Great Glen way. At the half way point the girls were so enjoying and open to the adventure that the group took the call to go further and set up camp higher up the trail. The overnight bivvy was a huge success with the weather being so favorable and the girls so open to the experience.
The following day the group rode back to Inverness to meet with parents and reflect on what was an unbelievable achievement. Every girl who took part put in a real effort and got such a lot out of it.
Get Involved
Find out more about International Womens Day at internationalwomensday.com
HSBC UK Breeze inspire women to ride for fun and fitness with free bike rides, friendly support, and great people to ride with.
