Although Rose only started cycling in 2015, she has gone from strength to strength encouraging ladies in her local area to start cycling, arranging maintenance courses and rides. A trained Breeze leader, Rose set up the Bubbenhall Breeze Belles group (which now has over 30 members), and also participates in sportives raising money for local hospices.

Rosemary said...

"A friend of mine said she was going to join a ladies only cycle club and asked if I would like to join with her. I hadn't cycled since a child, but remembered that I really enjoyed it then. I bought a hybrid bike and helmet and we joined an evening novice ride. I was a bit apprehensive at first but I loved it.

"I joined Warwickshire Ladies Cycle Club, where I received lots of encouragement and also joined a Breeze group which helped increase my confidence as I seemed to have a great ability to fall off which we later found out was due to the footwear I was using.

"I have participated in many sportives raising money for the local hospice and for my 60th birthday my aim was to ride 60 miles for 60 years, this would be longest ride I had completed and raised £750 for Sepsis Trust.

"I trained as a Breeze Leader three years ago and set up the Bubbenhall Breeze Belles group as I knew lots of ladies in our Village had bikes tucked away in garages/sheds that they never used. I get an incredible amount of pleasure from seeing these ladies learning the benefits of cycling, both in skills, but also in the physical fitness and mental wellbeing."

Nominated by...

Rosemary was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Shona Hudson, who said:

"Rose has over the last few years overcome all her cycling challenges with such humour it is truly inspiring. She only started out in 2015 but has gone from strength to strength encouraging ladies in her local area to get on their bikes, arranging maintenance courses and get togethers. She has trained as a Breeze leader and has regular articles in her community magazine. Despite suffering from asthma you can see her shoulders 'set' whenever a hill approaches with determination to just get up that hill despite her hating hills and this is what makes her such a good leader, she really pushes herself but also does not take it too seriously. She goes the extra mile in my opinion to ensure no one feels left out and we are all looked after, celebrating all our successes and always the first to volunteer to help lead rides for Warwickshire Ladies Club too despite working full time."

She goes the extra mile in my opinion to ensure no one feels left out and we are all looked after, celebrating all our successes and always the first to volunteer to help lead rides for Warwickshire Ladies Club too despite working full time

Shona Hudson