Cycling Session presented by British Cycling and Restrap

Join us for an evening of inspiring tales from across the two wheeled world, hosted by bike messenger turned ultra-endurance cyclist Emily Chappell and local cyclist Ben Dowman.

The event is a joyous celebration of cycling and the freedom, opportunity and adventure it brings to people. We'll be featuring speakers and films across the many disciplines of cycling - from world champion road and track cyclists, to para cycling, cyclocross, tandem, ultra distance racing and more... there's something for everyone no matter how fast, far or often you ride.

We'd like to welcome British Cycling and Restrap as the presenting partners of the session, and are delighted to announce the following speakers...

Ed Clancy OBE - Ed is the most successful team pursuit cyclist in history, having won three successive Olympic gold medals with Team GB and 12 world championship medals, with eight incredible world records to his name. Scouted by British Cycling at 16-years-old, Ed won his first gold medal with the Great Britain team pursuit squad at the 2005 World Championships, aged 20. Since retiring in 2021, he's engaged in British Cycling's research and innovation, launched the Clancy Briggs Academy, and taken on roles as South Yorkshire's Active Travel Commissioner and chair of British Cycling's elite road racing task force.

Lizzie Deignan MBE - After winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead) captured the nations hearts and went on to establish herself as a dominant rider in the international women’s peloton, achieving a lifelong dream by winning the 2015 UCI World Championship Road Race. Lizzie has twice taken time out of the sport to have her two children, in 2018 and 2022, and returned to racing success each time. Amongst her successes, Lizzie counts winning the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes as one of the most amazing days in her sport, writing a page in cycling’s history books.

Para-cyclists Millie Cass and Elsie Hughes are part of British Cycling’s Limitless programme; an inclusive club programme provides cycling opportunities for disabled people, regardless of age, impairment and ability.

Millie Cass - Hailing from Sheffield, Millie joined British Cycling’s Talent programme in 2022. Having excelled in para-road and para-track world cups, Millie was given an unexpected call up to compete at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow. This was a remarkable opportunity to compete against the best in the world, and despite only having four weeks to prepare, Millie took bronze on the road in the time trial. Millie also achieved an impressive 5th place in the road race and excelled on the track, finishing in the top 12 across four events.

Elsie Hughes - At just 12 years old, Elsie is already conquering many cycling disciplines. A member of Shibden CC, Elsie has been cycling with her parents on the trails of Yorkshire since she was young. Four years ago, she had a bespoke cycling prosthetic arm made to improve comfort and performance whilst cycling. Elsie competes across the disciplines of road, cyclocross, MTB and track, and when she’s not busy cycling, she’s inspiring other riders with disabilities through the British Cycling Limitless Programme.

Laura Massey-Pugh and Stevie Massey - On 5th June 2022 husband and wife, Stevie and Laura set off from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on a round the world adventure on a bicycle made for two! 180 days later, and after battling monsoons, sickness, border closures and motorcycle collisions they arrived back where they started, in a blizzard, and set a new mixed tandem circumnavigation Guinness World Record.

Tayyab Dilmohamud - Tabs is an adventure seeking dad for whom cycling has formed an integral part of life for the last 3 years. He started off cycling on a humble singlespeed which has turned into a passion (some say obsession!) for bikepacking. A recipient of the Ultra Distance Scholarship, he sees this as an opportunity to prove to himself, his family and community that anything is possible as long as you are brave enough to take that first step, believe in yourself and are willing to ask for help.

This session will have an interval. 

Banner image © www.swpix.com