Tamasine Corney

Tamasine got her first road bike six years ago, shortly after a late diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The idea was that cycling could become a form of regular exercise for her that would minimise wear and tear on her body. Tamasine soon began to wonder whether any women would like to join her for a bit of company, and founded Widger Spoke Easies, a women’s cycling club in Launceston, Cornwall. The club is open to all abilities and helps to fix and maintain bikes too.

Tamasine says, “Anything and everything about bikes makes me happy, but most of all I love seeing the progress of the women I meet. Watching them set out on hybrids and mountain bikes trying to get to grip with hills and group etiquette, conquering fears, progressing to clipless pedals and road bikes, riding sportives, making new friends and having enormous fun on the job. There are people I’ve met who have blossomed on the bike, from beginner all the way through to the sharp end of the faster group, now generously re-investing their own time to help develop others.

“The ultimate joy, is watching the growth in numbers of confident women on bikes in our local community and realising that I’ve had a part to play in that. My wish for the future is that we create a sustainable legacy of confident, happy and empowered female road cyclists in and around Launceston, long into the future. I think women in sport respond well to accessible role models: what I mean by that, is if the woman next door can try road cycling, enjoy it and glow with the post-ride feel good factor, then it will inspire others to give it a go.”

Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to take part in this wonderful and life-enhancing activity.