‘A huge smile and a pair of shorts changed my life’ says Mabel

When she turned 60, Mabel Benitez, a housing manager based in Greater Manchester, found that everyone she knew would ask her when she planned to retire. The simple answer was that she didn’t.

The ‘big R’, as she referred to it, “was a frightening thought”. In 2021, at 67, she decided it was finally time to retire but, after years of work to keep her occupied, she now had nothing to do and felt lost.

But just a week into her retirement, “A huge smile and pair of shorts,” changed Mabel’s life as her journey to cycling and being more active began! The new adventurous Mabel was born and so began “the most successful chapter” of her life.

The huge smile and pair of shorts belonged to Alan Keane, part of a local walking group. Alan beamed with enthusiasm as he spoke about the group and invited Mabel to join them: “It’s lot of fun, with nice people.”

That enthusiasm proved to be contagious as Mabel agreed to go along. “I only like to agree to do something if I can honour the intention,” she says. “So the next Wednesday, very nervously and full of expectation, I went to the meeting point. I was worried, having had a sedentary job, that I would never manage an hour’s walk.”

She did manage it, and Mabel found herself flourishing as she met new people and got fitter. “Wow!” she says. “My first official community walk! I loved it and I loved joining them for coffee afterwards. Everything was great.”

One of the participants on the walk was local councillor Sandra Ball. “Meeting our beautiful local hero Sandra Ball led to my meeting another remarkable woman, Marina Waters” says Mabel.

Marina runs cycling group Moston Cycling Club, putting on regular rides in Greater Manchester, as well as maintenance sessions and workshops on cycle skills and route planning. The Cycling UK-affiliated group is also a delivery partner for Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival project.

Mabel’s story was turning from one of a housing manager working at a desk to an adventurous lady sporting a huge smile and ready to embrace new experiences – the story unfolds!

“Joining Marina for cycling twice a week, I learned new skills in cycling maintenance and navigation. I joined the ride leaders’ group, meeting a lot of friends and skilled cyclists.”

Through riding with the group, Mabel built up her riding confidence and in 2023 she took Cycling UK’s ride leader course. She says: “With their support, on 17 October 2023, I earned my Group Leader Certificate. Something I never dreamed of doing!”

Cycling has taken Mabel places she never thought she’d go to and learned skills she never dreamed she would master. In June 2024, she was invited to join VIPs at the final stage of the 2024 Tour of Britain Women.

Mabel is certainly enjoying her retirement on her bike. “I would never have believed that the big R could become the happiest and most successful chapter of my life. I am healthier, fitter, full of new skills, stress free and visiting gorgeous places with great friends.”

She feels lucky to be travelling all around the UK and abroad, whether that’s on two wheels or her own two feet.

Cycling has changed Mabel’s life forever, helped her write exciting new chapters in her life, and she sums up: “Retirement is not the end of life, it’s the chance of a whole new beginning. And I love mine!”

Mabel’s story show how cycling can change lives for the better. You can help us make more of these changes by donating to our winter appeal.