Introducing new ride leader, Meredith
Meredith encompasses a lot of what we stand for in the New Forest Off Road Club. She’s vulnerable when sharing previous experiences of riding bikes and not fitting the patriarchal norm. She talks bravely about the issues facing fat cyclists when buying clothing and it comes naturally to her to champion and mentor others.
“I’d love to help people feel confident riding on ministry of defence land” was one of the first things Meredith said to Nic on our birthday ride back in October 2021.
Meredith’s first NFORC ride was a 23, very muddy, miler round Salisbury Plain. 22 people learnt about flag signals, bonded over a pitstop and shared the experience of seeing the world heritage site, Stonehenge.
We never look for ride leaders to fit our culture, we look to people that will grow it. Enter Meredith.
What do you like about being a ride leader?
Mostly it’s about meeting amazing women and non-binary folks and getting to spend time outside with them. Secondly, as a fat/plus size cyclist I see so few people who look like me in the cycling media, for me being a ride leader is an opportunity to show everyone that no matter what your size or shape you belong on a bike and are worthy of taking up space.
What’s your favourite snack?
Banana bread covered in any kind of nut butter.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?
Pretty much any piece of Ministry of Defence land. Not only is there so much power in a group of women riding on that land but they’ve got some of the best gravel in the country and often quiet and in the middle of nowhere. Plus there is nothing like watching tanks roll past you to give a bit of excitement to a ride.
How does riding your bike make you feel?
Strong, empowered and FREE!
Meredith is an amazing public speaker. Here she is at our PAST event in November 2022 telling the story of the 5 things she learnt cycling from Munich to Venice.
Tell us about your bike.
It’s a green Ribble Gravel AL, purchased because it has ALL the mounting points for carrying bags filled with snacks.
What does the best group ride look like to you?
Good chats with great people, opportunities to learn something new and of course a pit stop.
What’s the best thing about a matriarchy?
A space where everyone is empowered and free to be themselves.
If your bike was a song or album, what song would it be? I
I’d love to say something cool like a Johnny Flynn album but the reality is it’s Good as Hell by Lizzo.
How did you hear about The New Forest Off Road Club?
Instagram, I was looking for women cycling groups to join and everything about NFORC and their values just jumped out at me.
What was your first ride like?
I cried after my first NFORC, full on ugly cried with joy when I got back to my car. I was just blown away by the compassionate, warm and uplifting space it was. As a fat cyclist who has had other road users yell mean and obscene things at me about my body whilst on a bike it blew me away that there was a space where I could be welcomed, accepted and supported and it moved me to tears.
What would you say to someone who has never joined a ride before but might want to?
Every fear or worry you have about joining will fade away within the first few miles riding, I promise. Pinky promise.
What can people expect from your rides?
Chatting, stopping and snacking. Some varied and sometimes techy terrain (love the opportunity to learn something new) with lots of nature and history facts. Not only would my rides be great for beginners and intermediate riders who want to gain confidence and experience but many of them will be on MoD land like Salisbury Plain so if you’re curious about the rules for riding on MoD land come along!
What does the NFORC mean to you?
The future. Not only do I think this is the future of cycling but also the model for building community.
Thanks for wanting to spend some of your free time helping people build community and confidence on two wheels Meredith, we’re buzzed to have ya. ✌️
