MEET MIRIAM - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the fantastic women who are taking part in Etape Caledonia 2024. Hear their stories about how they started cycling, their role models and advice for other women who are interested in getting into cycling.

Miriam, 26 from Renfrewshire, has signed up to take part in Etape Caledonia this year. We asked Miriam about her journey to the start line.

How did you get into cycling, and how has your journey been so far?

I started cycling a few years ago almost by accident. I asked my partner if he wanted to go for a walk with me at the weekend, and a bit out of the blue he suggested we go for a bike ride instead (he’s a keen cyclist). I hadn’t cycled much growing up or as an adult so I was quite wobbly and had to get off and walk on all the hills, but it was an adventure and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed it.

At the time I was recovering from binge eating disorder, which had caused me to gain a lot of weight, and running (which I had done pre-eating disorder) was incredibly uncomfortable because of the impact of the extra weight on my joints. Because I hadn’t cycled before, it was also a new way to connect with my body and with movement that I was able to enjoy without being able to compare myself or my performance to my pre-eating disorder days, which was really important – it helped me to focus on the positives of the exercise and my recovery instead.

I kept cycling and still love it, but there have been some ups and downs. At the beginning of 2023 I got long COVID and initially the illness and fatigue stopped me cycling altogether. But slowly I used the turbo trainer inside to help me improve my fitness and my lung capacity, and remembering how it felt

What do you enjoy most about cycling and how does it make you feel?

One of the things I like most about cycling is the feeling of freedom I get when I’m out on the roads. I always have a moment at the beginning of a ride, after I’ve started moving, when my body and mind relax and I start to settle into the moment without thinking too much about anything else.

 I also love cycling because it gets me outside and into the countryside, and helps me to engage with the landscape and the changing seasons. I ride the same roads all year round but there’s always something new to see.

It makes me feel very proud of myself when I think about how far I’ve come in terms of my mental and physical health, and every time I get on my bike I’m reminded of how strong I am.  

Why did you sign up for Etape Caledonia 2024?

I wanted a challenge! Riding the Etape will be also be a kind of celebration for me, a way of recognising the work that I’ve done to get to the healthy place I am now. I’m going to be riding it with my partner too, which will be really special.

How do you balance your passion for cycling with other aspects of your life, such as work or family?

I’m really lucky in that my partner is also a cyclist, so we often cycle together and we know that cycling is a priority for both of us. I don’t have children (although I do have a gorgeous but very demanding cat) so we’re quite free to bike. I have a 9-5 desk job too, so I often look forward to getting on the bike and moving after my work day, especially in the summer when the longer evenings mean I can ride outside.

What is your biggest achievement?

Right now, I’m content and happy in my life, which feels like a huge achievement. I’ve done a huge amount of work to manage and improve my mental health, having to work through depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, PMDD, and undiagnosed (now diagnosed) ADHD. To be content and happy as a result of the work I’ve done in those areas feels pretty amazing given how tough the last five years have been.

As a female cyclist, do you face any specific challenges or obstacles in the cycling world?  How have/do you overcome them?

It took me ages to find a saddle that I was able to ride on for more than about two minutes. The level of pain I experienced on the few rides I did as a teenager was enough to put me off for life. I think there’s a lot of awareness now about differences in anatomy and requirements for a saddle, not just between men and women but between women as well. But it took speaking to a female staff member at a bike shop to find someone who really understood and took the issue seriously – before that, I’d heard a lot of ‘your saddle will never feel like a sofa’, and I started to think maybe cycling was always that painful and I should just battle through it. But I did eventually try out several saddles and was able to have an open conversation about how each felt, which allowed me to find a pretty perfect match.

It’s taken me two years to find a comfortable way of managing my period while riding (I use a menstrual cup now but it’s taken me about three to find one which is effective and that I can ride with). I also really struggle with the impact of my menstrual cycle on my energy levels, which can really impact any training I’m trying to do. I’m still working on the best way to work through that but a key thing has been accepting that, in some weeks, I might need to expect a little less from myself in terms of time and power on the bike.  

I also struggle to balance hydrating properly on the bike with needing to stop for a wee. It’s still so much more complicated to go for a ‘wild wee’ if you have to partially undress and squat, especially if you’re trekking off into the undergrowth in your cleats. I’ve yet to try bib shorts with an unzippable seat but maybe that’s the way forward…  

There is also a big problem with inclusive sizing in cycling clothing. This is definitely an intersectional issue and one which has made me feel quite excluded from sport at times. It’s hard to feel like you’re welcome and that you belong, or that you’re valid as an athlete, when such a small proportion of brands make clothing that you can wear.

Can you share a particularly memorable or empowering moment you've experienced while cycling?

One of my favourite memories relating to cycling was when I was trying to use clipless pedals for the first time. My partner was patiently trying to teach me how to clip in and out while I cycled up and down on the street in our estate. I toppled over many times and eventually decided I’d stick to flat pedals, but the process was really empowering for me because I was able to enjoy looking daft as part of a learning process, rather than seeing it as a failure and something to be embarrassed about.  

Another favourite memory was riding with a really close female friend who cycles. Last year we had the opportunity to ride together – a rare thing since she lives in Canada and I live in Scotland! It meant a lot to be able to share one of my favourite routes with her, especially as it turned out to be my longest ride ever at that point.

Are there any female cyclists, or athletes, who have been influential or inspirational to you personally?

Some of my inspiration definitely comes from the amazing professional female cyclists out there. I remember watching the first ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes and feeling the power of all the riders there through the screen. Lizzie Deignan’s ride was incredible and I got really emotional as she crossed the line. Seeing the determination of these women reminds me that we can overcome all sorts of adversity to participate in the sport that we love, at whatever level.

In your opinion, what changes or improvements could be made in the cycling community to better support and encourage female cyclists?

Awareness and openness around gender-specific issues and cycling is much better than it used to be, but I think there’s a way to go. One of the things I’d like to see in my area is more women-specific cycling groups. I also think that there need to be more bike shops offering trial systems for saddles, and normalising this trial process, so that women can find one which suits them before they’re put off by a painful one.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in getting into cycling or participating in Etape Caledonia or other cycling events?

For women who are interested in getting into cycling, I would say: 1) Don’t let other cyclists tell you that saddle pain is normal – if it’s at a level where it’s putting you off cycling, it’s not something you need to accept. There will be a better option out there! 2) Find a type of cycling that you love. ‘Cycling’ encompasses so much diversity and variety. Road cycling, mountain biking, BMX-ing, solo rides, group rides, commuting, riding for leisure, indoor, outdoor, at home, at the gym… However you like to cycle is great and is valid.

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to pursue their goals and overcome gender-related barriers?

In my cycling journey, it’s been other women who have been the biggest help and support in overcoming gender-specific issues. It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’d say that finding women who build you up and inspire you, and who help you feel empowered and confident in your own talents and abilities, is really important.

Lastly, what does International Women's Day mean to you as a female cyclist, and how do you think it impacts women in sports overall?

IWD coincides with the beginning of the cycling classics season, so it’s a great time for me to celebrate and enjoy watching women in professional cycling. It is a reminder to connect with the women in my life who I have personal relationships with too, and celebrate those.

We loved hearing Miriam’s incredible story and journey to overcome so many challenges. We can’t wait to welcome Miriam to Pitlochry on 12 May.

If you want to join Miriam and thousands of other incredible cyclists at Etape Caledonia 2024, you can sign up here.