Rennell Brennan currently represents GB in off-road triathlon and is the European champion in her age category. In addition to her successful racing career she has cycled across Malawi and during her years as a PE teacher she took groups of girls and boys on cycling trips to inspire and give them confidence. 

Rennell Brennan said…

“Biking is so much more than just the bike for me. It has shaped part of who I am; led me to be the person I am today, giving me the freedom to fill my soul with nature, helping me through challenges and adversities when they have been thrown my way, and given me the opportunity to pass on and share this passion with others for life.

Biking is so much more than just the bike for me. It has shaped part of who I am

Rennell Brennan

“I really took up biking when I moved to the lakes 20 years ago. I had cycled across Malawi in my late twenties. My heart and passion went to mountain biking. I biked every Tuesday evening with some lads, and, in 2003 we went on a mountain bike weekend organised by Amos Doron of Keswick Bikes. Someone shouted he liked my backside as he cycled past, and the next day his best friend introduced us as we were peddling up Honister. The rest is history as he is now my husband!

“Barrow Central Wheelers introduced me to racing. I competed in the Kona 100km organised by John Lloyd and he shaped my cycling career.

“I won my age category on my heavy bike and asked him to sponsor me and he did.

“I did the British Cycling MTB national Cross country series as a master. I managed National series winner one year and third in the National Championships in my age group. I competed in most disciplines.

“Currently I represent GB in off-road triathlon and am the European champion for my age group https://wts.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/106673/renell_brennan and came seventh in the Worlds. 

“For my 50th birthday I decided I wanted to go to Lanzarote and have a go at the four day MTB stage race which I did and I won my age category.

“I did a MTB course in 2003 with Cyclewise. Tracy Brunger and Emma Guy became firm friends and helped literally change my life.

“I wasn’t a natural, however this gave me insight and empathy when passing on my knowledge and passion to others. When I was a PE teacher, I raised the funds to take 10 girls biking to Peebles for three days. Still now those teenagers say I inspired and gave them confidence to move on in life. 

“I secured funding to get a fleet of mountain bikes for my school, and a special school, and these bikes literally gave those kids freedom and independence. I taught the naughtiest boys in the school mountain biking as part of BTEC and we biked all over the South Lakes. They were rascals, but they loved their biking.

My goal is to inspire others of all abilities to find a passion for biking and to help them achieve the best they can be

Rennell Brennan

“My goal is to inspire others of all abilities to find a passion for biking and to help them achieve the best they can be. I believe others respond well to my enthusiastic nature, empathy and positive outlook. I have used my passion for biking to inspire people, give them confidence, to believe in themselves and see they can achieve and had profound effects on their self-esteem.

Nominated by…

Rennell was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Caroline Rowland who said: 

“Ren inspires women to get on a bike from complete beginners to getting them jumping in the trails. Her infectious enthusiasm, massive heart and patience and very professional, safe, fun teaching give them the skills and confidence to get and stay fit on two wheels. Be that on or off road."