Susan Doram

Susan's cycling life began early, learning to ride as a child and continuing until finishing university. However like so many others, when she began work she switched the pedals for a steering wheel and started driving everywhere. 

Later, wanting to join a cycling club, Susan was apprehensive, but 10 years ago she plucked up the courage to join local social cycling club, Leicester Spokes for a ride and has never looked back. 

The group she joined is a supportive social cycling club, who waited for her at the top of the hill every time she struggled, giving her the confidence to return again and again. 

She also started to participate in the local Sky Rides (now known as HSBC UK Let's Ride) every Sunday.

I love cycling because it brings such a big smile to my face.

Susan Doram

The more Susan cycled, the more she found she enjoyed it and after investing in a secondhand road bike she joined a friendly road club, Cycling UK affiliated club, Ratae Road Club. 

Susan continued to cycle and later became a HSBC UK Breeze Champion and Sky Ride leader which lead her to becoming one of the founding members of Leicester Women’s Velo.

Susan said: "I have also organised women only cycle tours in both the UK and France and I have encouraged others to cycle tour.

"This experience has also led me to cycle tour around parts of the UK and the world.

"I love cycling because it brings such a big smile to my face. 

I left the UK two years ago and have been cycling around different countries ever since.

Susan Doram

"I left the UK two years ago and have been cycling around different countries ever since.

"Also, I find that my bicycle makes it easy to connect with complete strangers both on and off the bike, everyone always wants to know where you have been or where you are going."

So far Susan has cycled in various parts of Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and is currently in Thailand.

Susan was nominated for 100 Women in Cycling by fellow HSBC UK Breeze Champion, Maryam Amatullah who said, "She inspired me and some friends to cycle coast to coast - something we never would have done. She has so much advice to offer, her personality and laugh is infectious.

Susan's story is a great one and we need more black women to inspire more black women to take up cycling."

What is 100 Women in Cycling?

Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to cycle.