It’s been non stop go-go-go around here over the past month or two, what with hiking the Camino Trail in Spain and heading off to Switzerland with Wattbike, launching a new company – Get To KNOW (in case you didn’t know!), buying a house and beginning the renovation process… I’ve barely had time to think! But, the icing on the cake is that I have just joined the LIV family as brand ambassador and athlete!! I have been chatting to the team for a long while now about how we might work together, for over 6 months in fact. Although aligning with one brand alone is, in many ways the ultimate dream, it’s also a big commitment and something that I only want to do if it feels as organic as possible. After a lot of back and forth, brainstorming and meeting the team and whatnot (they’re all bloody lovely, FYI!) they sent me a bike to trial, the Envie Advanced Pro 1 (it’s a beautiful BEAST and it’s on sale at the moment guys, just saying!) and the rest, as they say, is history. After spending a few hours tearing around the Hertfordshire countryside on her I felt totally 100% happy and excited to become an ambassador for the brand.
As mentioned above I also had the chance to take *her to Switzerland where I not only got the chance to explore the most stunning terrain but I also got a crash course on the inequality in professional cycling. I mean, I already know about the deep rooted gender bias in cycling, sport in general, in fact. But after spending some time on the ground at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and learning about how they hope to combat these inequalities (not effectively enough in my opinion!), I got even more fired up to try and be a part of that change, albeit a teeny tiny one.
So, my hope for this collaboration is that I manage to inspire as many of you as possible to get out on your bikes. It doesn’t have to be fast, it doesn’t have to be pretty slash instagrammable. Heck, you can break all the velominati rules if you like – apart from the ones pertaining to being a polite and considerate cyclist, of course! That aside, this is a judgment free zone! Just ask any of my mates and they will happily regale you with stories of my camelbak and other infringements of certain cycling style rules. However, I will say this, there’s nothing more satisfying that overtaking someone during a race who is in full aero position – dressed in all the gear – whilst you’re up on the hoods, wearing trainers, toe cages and a camelbak. The trifecta of cycling style no-nos. Not that I’m immature enough to take delight in such situations, nope, not me, I’m not competitive at all… *cough cough* Joking aside, it really doesn’t matter what you choose to wear, what does matter is that you’re out there actually doing the thing. In my role as ambassador, I will be here to work with the awesome team at LIV, to create and offer opportunities and support as well as to answer any questions you might have – even if you feel like said question is kinda stupid – I can *almost guarantee it’s not.
So excited to get this show on the road!
If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below, alternatively drop me an email at hello@breaktheloop.net. Can’t wait to see all you babes riding bikes!
*Name suggestions on the back of a postcard, please!?
*Ask me if I think helmets should be worn and you will see me eye roll so hard at you, that my eyeballs threaten to break. Helmets are to be worn, always.
