Finding My Place in the Mud: How I Joined Women’s Cyclocross
Laura has been a stalwart of our CX crew for the last few years. Not just turning up to every race but always being there with her signature smile. We asked her to share more of her journey below, because while she talks about inspiring little girls, she’s also pretty inspiring to us not so little girls!
You’ll note she’s rocking her Haddington Cycle Club kit at the races, you don’t need to be a member of our club to join us at the races, we welcome all waifs and strays with open arms (or open gazebo doors). So if you’re new to the races, come say hi, you never know where it might lead!
Cyclocross was never something I pictured myself doing. I admired it from afar for years—the grit, the mud, the sheer determination of the riders hopping on and off their bikes like little frogs.
It looked thrilling, yes, but also intimidating.
For a long time, I assumed I would never do it - I was there to cheer my husband, son and all the kiddos on every lap.
But that mindset quietly began to shift thanks to a gentle, persistent chorus of encouragement.
A Family Effort
My husband and my son decided that I should no longer stand at the side lines with my cowbell but have a go of doing it myself. So they signed me up for Inch Park race. I got an email notification from British cycling to say that I had signed up and I am not going to lie I was super nervous.
ERC kindly put on a practice before where club mates and special guests help you navigate your way through the course before hand. Our National Campion Anna Flynn gave advice on how to prepare for Hurdles.
I was greeted by Hervélo's Sandy, “Welcome, cyclocross is so much fun” - the enthusiasm, the energy, the reassurance that I would be fine and the declaration that she would be so happy, if just one women from today would sign up for a race in the CX Calendar.
I smiled, I did the race, I felt so unfit but my little dude gave me a big high 5 at the end - seeing his excitement and pride that I had given it a shot - I signed up that night for Camperdown CX.
The encouragement and honing of skills From Hervélo
I went to the race and quickly found Sandy at the practice lap to announce she had indeed talked one woman into racing. My approach for this race was just to do each lap better than the last. Not going to lie this is still my approach.
I just loved the camaraderie amongst the ladies, even getting lapped and being told great racing, keep going.
My confidence grew and I entered more. The Hervelo gals adopted me and I was suddenly in all the photos at the end, eating my lunch and having chats as the other races went underway.
It’s a community that uplifts, nudges and inspires. No elitism. No pressure. Just women supporting women while learning to navigate mud, off‑camber corners, and the occasional obstacle that requires a deep breath and a leap of faith - I often just follow a junior rider.
Their enthusiasm was contagious and I find myself forwarding that on when I see someone at their first race.
This year I have attended the fantastic sessions the coaches put on, 4 sessions focussing on different skills - cornering, dismount, remount & hurdles, hills up and down and I learnt so many new skills and tips to use in the races.
In a full circle moment, I also got to chat to ladies who were interested and show them that you can just go out and have fun at them - all sorts of riders can be found at a race and all are welcome. I was delighted to greet these ladies at the recent Super Quaich series and they relayed how happy they were to see me and how much they had enjoyed the coaching sessions too.
Why It Matters
Women’s cyclocross isn’t just a race.
It’s a celebration of an individual resilience.
It's showing the next generation of girls that ladies race too.
You can find me smiling away going round and round and laughing at myself as I bum slide down tricky descents - fastest way wins right?
