Tess works as a fitness copywriter, blogger and social media marketer. She’s an ambassador for This Girl Can and a British Cycling Breeze Champion. She leads bike rides for women around Sussex and with Sustrans, leads bike clubs for teenage girls in secondary schools. Tess works to break down barriers, helps women build up skills and confidence and works to close the gender gap.

Tess said…

"Fun, freedom, fitness and friends - these are the things I love about cycling and I want to encourage everyone - particularly more women and girls - to experience the joy, confidence and empowerment that comes from riding a bike. 

"Working as a fitness copywriter, blogger https://www.thefitbits.com/ and social media marketer, I’m also an ambassador for This Girl Can, I am a British Cycling Breeze Champion, leading free bike rides for women around Sussex, and work with Sustrans to lead bike clubs for teenage girls in secondary schools around Brighton and Hove. 

I want to break down barriers and help close the gender gap in cycling from the ground up … everyone’s lives can be enhanced in so many ways by cycling – it’s accessible for all

Tess Agnew

"Through my professional and personal life I want to break down barriers and help close the gender gap in cycling from the ground up – whether that’s helping women build the skills and confidence for commuting on the road, riding in groups, going off road, having a go at racing or simply heading out for a weekend ride – everyone’s lives can be enhanced in so many ways by cycling – it’s accessible for all. 

"I found my love of cycling in childhood and it’s stuck with me ever since. From razzing around the pump track on my BMX with the boys and getting lost in the woods, to learning to ride on the road from a young age and racing back home before curfew - riding my bike has always felt like one big adventure and that’s stayed with me into adulthood.   

"Nowadays I get my fix tackling hills on the daily commute, hitting the trails off road or heading to Scotland or Wales for a dose of green, and recently built up the courage to start racing (and have loved coming last) which is the most empowering and confidence-boosting way to ride your bike ever. It took a couple of seasons of watching from the sidelines but I realised if I wanted more women to race I was going to have to be the change I wanted to see."

Nominated by…

Tess was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Cathy who said: “She's a popular cycling blogger and influencer who inspires others through her passion, commitment and dedication. Most of all Tess makes cycling fun. She's not afraid to take on a big challenge and has competed in 6-hour XC races, cyclocross, crits and circuits and more. 

“She's open about her anxieties about being 'too slow' and how she overcomes this fear and enters anyway, has a great time, often finishes in the points - and encourages other women to join her.”