by Sarah Winser
I want to talk about something incredibly important within our club: the strength, encouragement, and community created through WOW (Women On Wheels).
Cycling can begin as simply riding a bike but very quickly it becomes so much more. It becomes confidence, friendship, freedom, achievement and, for many women, it becomes a way of rediscovering belief in themselves.
WOW is not about separating women from the wider club; it is about helping more women feel able to become part of it. It creates a welcoming space where riders can build confidence, ask questions without fear, improve skills and realise they are far more capable than they first believed.
One of the most powerful things about Women On Wheels is that every rider matters. It does not matter whether someone is fast or slow, experienced or nervous, returning after illness, starting later in life, or clipping into pedals for the very first time. Everyone belongs.
Within a mixed cycling group WOW plays an incredibly valuable role. It strengthens the entire club. When women feel supported, encouraged and visible, the whole cycling community becomes more inclusive, more understanding and more connected.
We see women encouraging one another up hills, celebrating personal victories, supporting each other through setbacks and sharing laughter over coffee stops. Those moments may seem small but they build confidence that reaches far beyond cycling itself.
WOW also shows that cycling does not look just one way. There is no “perfect cyclist”.
Cyclists are mothers, daughters, grandmothers, professionals, carers, beginners, athletes, people managing health challenges and people rebuilding confidence after difficult times. Every single rider brings something valuable to the group.
And importantly, WOW exists alongside the support of our wider mixed cycling club. The encouragement from fellow riders, ride leaders, and club members helps create an environment where everyone can thrive together with mutual respect and shared enjoyment of the sport we love.
Cycling teaches resilience. It teaches patience. Sometimes it teaches us that progress is simply turning up on the difficult days. Women On Wheels reminds us that strength is not always loud. Sometimes it is quietly showing up, getting back on the bike, and trying again.
So, let’s celebrate WOW not just as a cycling group but as a community that empowers women, builds friendships, supports well-being and inspires people to believe in themselves.
Because, when women support women and when clubs actively create space for everyone to succeed, amazing things happen.
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Summer 2026