Cycling stories: Women beyond the mainstream

For too long, advertising, social media, and mainstream history have told cycling’s story through a single (mostly male) lens, reflecting the patriarchal norms still embedded in our societies. But everyone experiences cycling differently, and there’s much to learn from the diverse challenges and unique joys people find with bikes.

Join us as we hear from 4 women whose identities have shaped their cycling journeys. From being a refugee, trans, or FGM/C survivor, to life as a non-cyclist, Muslim, Black, ex-pro, or over 50, these stories will inspire your own journey—both on and off the bike. 

You will come away with inspiring stories but also practical tips from women who have paved their own way. 

Meet the panelists:

• Cambria McGovern
  Biomedical Engineering Researcher, Framebuilder, and Ex-Racer.
  Cambria has been in cycling for over 20 years. She has worn many hats, including racer (professionally for a bit), coach, club official, and framebuilder. She also happens to be transgender, which has left her alienated from many of the cycling communities she used to call home.

• Hermine Aurore Longue Longue
  Cyclist, Student and Graduate from The Bike Project’s Pedal Power programme.
  Hermine is a graduate from The Bike Project's Pedal Power project which supports refugees and migrants to learn to ride or improve their bike confidence. When she isn't cycling she is an IT student and a strong part of the community at Islington Centre for migrants, volunteering there as a dance teacherr. She is also a proud mother and bike lover and uses her experiences to encourage other women to get on bikes – Hermine credits cycling for helping her find a meaningful community since moving to the UK.

• Donna McConnell (AKA The Iron Empress)
  Cyclist, Advocate, Ride Leader, and content creator.
  Donna McConnell is a triathlete who found her way to the London cycling community after deciding to take on an Ironman in 2021 at age 51. She found she had to overcome some barriers to build her confidence and find her place within a cycling community in which women of colour, older women and curvy women are a minority. She has taken part in sportives such as RideLondon 100, London to Paris, Ambitious 220 Manchester to London ride, ridden the North Coast 500, and completed multi day rides in Rwanda with Black Unity Bike Ride and Italy with One More City. Donna is a ride leader with London club Chain Gang Cyclists and Rapha Cycling Club. Having found the joy of road cycling at a late age she uses social media to encourage more women to get involved.
  

• Warda Mohammed
  Founder of Lasting Support Services and Community Ambassador for The Vavengers .
  Warda is a dedicated women’s and youth rights activist and the founder of Lasting Support Services, an organisation committed to improving safeguarding and support for vulnerable young people. She will address the barriers to fitness faced by young girls from minoritised backgrounds. 

The panel will be hosted by HHV Women’s Development Officer Megan Barclay (she/they).
Megan is a designer, social activist and adventure cyclist with over 10 years experience working with grassroots social justice organisations – from delivering frontline services to building communication strategies for complex social issues. Megan combines this expertise with Mountainbike and Track coaching qualifications in her role at HHV. She is happiest outdoors and supporting others to share their stories.

Doors and bar open at 6:45pm, the panel starts at 7.

Venue information:

• The Clubhouse is on the 1st floor, take the stairs on the outside of the building or there is an accessible lift just inside the door at the front of the building

• Drinks and light snacks will be available to buy

• We have accessible toilets, changing rooms and baby changing facilities. These are located on the bottom floor of the building which is only accessible by the side doors (not the stairs).

• Please leave quietly, we are located in a residential neighbourhood

Getting here: 

We recommend people walk, cycle or come by public transport. We are a short walk from Herne Hill, North Dulwich, and West Dulwich train stations. Buses 3 and 201 to Croxted Road/Turney Road, 37 to Half Moon Lane/Burbage Road. We have limited parking on site.

Please get in touch if you have any access needs we can do our best to accommodate, we look forward to having you.