Katherine started cycling in 2015 after a bad injury playing rugby. She cycled with her university club but found no one able to ride at her pace so started a development contingent. Katherine started the Steezy Collective, an inclusive group that promotes women and non-binary riders. She’s also a member of the North London Thundercats who are pioneering a new gender inclusive race category system.

Katherine Dennis said…

"I started cycling in 2015 after a bad injury at my rugby club. I was struggling with mental health issues and had nowhere to go to escape London and the anxiety around being cooped up.

"I started cycling with my university club but sadly there was no one who was able to ride at my pace. So I started my own development contingent of the cycling club. As my skills grew I loved to bring new riders on board, get them acquainted with safe cycling and enjoying the open road. We then moved to riding longer rides, overnighters and racing! All whilst enjoying everything cycling in London had to offer.

"After university I started the Steezy Collective with a couple of other great riders. It is an inclusive cycling group that promotes women and non-binary riders throughout the UK. We are currently hoping to become a hub for inclusive ride groups to connect and learn from one another.

"I recently joined the wonderful North London Thundercats who are using their fixed gear power to pioneer a new gender inclusive race category system to make sure everyone can race their fixed gear bikes!"

Nominated by…

Katherine was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Kezia Stewart, who said: 

"Kitty was the president of the University College London (UCL) cycling club in 2018/2019 and another key and active member of the committee in 2019/2020.

"Kitty attended or organised almost every event and was always a positive encouragement throughout a ride. The team has definitely increased its number of female members and how many were taking part in the inter-university varsity races.

As a woman myself I was personally encouraged to take part by her, which helped me overcome the fear of the club being an 'elite boys club' for cyclists, and instead made me realise I could feel comfortable taking part...

Kezia Stewart

"She is a strong and confident cyclist that encouraged many people, male or female, to take part in the club. But as a woman myself I was personally encouraged to take part by her, which helped me overcome the fear of the club being an 'elite boys club' for cyclists, and instead made me realise I could feel comfortable taking part in not only the weekly laps of green park, but also the racing and training whilst enjoying myself!

"It was a big part of my year at UCL and Kitty was a big part of why women are cycling at UCL altogether."