NFORC Ride Leaders

These are the people that keep the NFORC wheels turning. The people who facilitate group rides, fix nights and memory makin’ on a monthly basis. This group of people have dedicated many, many volunteer hours, facilitating over 200 rides with over 500 people since October 2020.

Heroes all.

  • Jo She/her

    Jo is a power house. Through her involvement in the iconic Cowley Road Condors & NFORC, she brings people together, makes people feel comfortable and makes things happen.

    She’s a very experienced tourer, cycling through Africa and participating in the Trans Continental Race.

    Emily Chappell is a big Jo fan and describes her as ‘strong, capable and inspiring’. We couldn’t agree more.

  • Emma She/her

    Emma is all about finding adventure wherever she can — whether that’s a cheeky bike-to-the-beach after school or an epic bikepacking trip with her son Marlon.

    She first connected with NFORC in 2022 and has since become one of those people whose joy on a bike is totally infectious. Emma leads with a “more smiles than miles” philosophy, always adapting to what everyone needs on the day, packing snacks, and usually including a pub stop!

    Expect fun, inclusivity, and an easy-going ride where everyone feels welcome.

    Read more about Emma here.

  • Lauren She/ her

    Lauren met Charlotte, Founder of Sisters in the Wild on a bike ride. Charlotte was working at Back Roads at the time and she sowed the seed with Lauren that she would make a great guide.

    8 months later, Lauren packed up her panniers and started working for a tour company, dedicated to helping people adventure outside.

    Lauren has the warmth of a 1000 suns we’re stoked she’s back in the Forest.

  • Young woman wearing a helmet and smiling outdoors during a mountain biking trip with a group of cyclists in an open field with hills in the background.

    Grace Compton She/ her

    Grace is part of not one but two cycling communities. NFORC and Cycle like a Girl, a road cycling community-based in Bournemouth.

    Compassionate, kind and powerful Grace says yes to adventure and no to patriarchal bullshit.

  • A woman standing on a dirt trail with a red mountain bike in a park with green grass and trees in the background.

    Sue Barrett She/ her

    Sue is passionate about sharing her love of The New Forest as well as encouraging and supporting others to enjoy being active outdoors.

    Her love of cycling started in early childhood and has been a constant source of freedom, exploration and joy ever since. Now, in her sixties, Sue is wanting to contribute to the narrative around pro-ageing, by celebrating it positively with a ‘living adventurously’ mindset.

    In November 2025, Sue and her good friend Nic won the BMC Women in Adventure Film Competition for their film, 'Bothy’ which you can watch here.

    Follow Sue and her adventures on Instagram here .

  • A man with tattoos, wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and black shorts, standing next to a bicycle on a forest trail, smiling.

    Pat They/ them

    Pat is an illustrator, bike mechanic and animal rights activist. When not riding their bike, you’ll find them taking care of the chickens at the end of the garden or tinkering on a new bike build.

  • A young person standing with one foot on a bicycle and making a rock and roll hand gesture at a skate park.

    Martine Warburton She / her

    Martine loves riding bikes. Whether it’s on New Forest Trails, in the mountains or with her daughter Violet.

    Martine loves leading rides with supportive people up for a challenge, an adventure and a cake stop.

    Read more about Martine here.

  • A woman wearing a helmet and fleece jacket stands next to an electric bicycle outdoors during the daytime with trees and a landscape in the background.

    Nic Carass She/ her

    You’ll find Nic riding in jeans and fixing her punctures as she resists going tubeless.

    In September 2021, Nic accidentally rode over 10 Alpine passes as part of the first ever women’s Torino Nice rally.

    “She’d never climbed a mountain pass and went on to excel at the 700km route through the French and Italian Alps, all while wearing sneakers and a baseball cap. She’s passionate about lifting women up in every aspect of the bicycle world-- the riders in the forest and the women in the industry.” Said Lael Wilcox once, (Nic’s still not over it).

  • A smiling woman in outdoor gear standing with her bicycle on a grassy field under a cloudy sky.

    Leonie Webster She/ her

    Leonie is the NFORC’s biggest shredder. She once rode the South Downs way in 11 hours. That’s 100 miles and 4000 metres of climbing. Lucy’s home-cooked brownies, a pint and her dog Ned are all things that give Leonie as much joy as her bike.

  • A woman in cycling gear, wearing a helmet, standing in a forest clearing with a red mountain bike, eating a snack.

    Lucy Fawcett She / her

    Lucy is NFORC through and through. She centres community, leads with empathy and shows vulnerability all whilst shreddin’ on her Surly.

  • A woman in cycling gear, including a helmet and gloves, standing with a mountain bike in a forest with autumn-colored foliage, smiling and holding a water bottle.

    Leah Meadon She / her

    Leah is a true believer in N+1.

    When not leading NFORC rides, you’ll find her on the BMX track competing in Nationals or riding her road bike as fast as she possibly can.

  • A smiling woman wearing a helmet and sunglasses, outdoors in an urban setting, with blurred cars and buildings in the background.

    Lucy She / her

    Riding bikes brings so much joy to Lucy’s life. She is a member of New Forest Cycling Club, rides a tandem with her partner Phil and she loves bombing it down hill.

    Lucy’s rides are pacy and snack filled.

  • A young woman with glasses and long hair laughing outdoors, holding a can of soda.

    Ce Ce / she her

    You’ll always find Ce Ce cheerful, happy and with a smile on her face. She’ll make you feel welcome, she’ll be sure to say you’re doing a great job and there will always be cake at the end.

    Read more about Ce Ce here.

  • Amy She/ her

    Amy brings her passion for movement, wellbeing, and community to every ride she leads. A chiropractor and researcher based in the UK, she’s as comfortable talking about posture and alignment as she is navigating a muddy trail — always encouraging riders to move their bodies with confidence and joy.

    Whether she’s sharing a smile at the meetup point or offering simple tips to help you feel stronger in the saddle, Amy creates a supportive vibe that makes everyone feel welcome and ready for adventure.

Ride Leader Alumni

  • A person standing with a bicycle on a dirt trail in a forest during daytime.

    VEE She/ her

    Although no longer a ride leader, Vee is still Club Steward and Director of The New Forest Off Road Club.

    Vee upped sticks and moved from the Forest to Inverness. She’s up there honing her MTB skills and training for her next round the world adventure.

  • A woman wearing a bike helmet and gloves standing next to her mountain bike on a forest trail, smiling and making a double thumbs-up gesture.

    TAYA She / her

    Now back in Aus, Taya led rides for NFORC in the early days of the club.

    She brought a wealth of bikepacking and mechanical skills, alongside stories of riding some of the UK’s most epic routes.

    She leaves a legacy of sticking to our values, and leaving plenty of time for dinner on multi-day rides.

  • A woman standing outdoors with a mountain bike, smiling, wearing a gray knit hat, a dark sweatshirt, and tan shorts.

    EMILY She / her

    Despite no longer being a ride leader, Emily still can be found cycling and running in the forest, supporting her family and being an inspiration to us all.

  • A woman standing next to a mountain bike in a forest during the daytime.

    MEREDITH she/ her

    Meredith’s skills know no bounds. She knits, she’s a photographer, she’s an expert route planner, a fantastic communicator and a bold brave activist.

    Meredith moved from Wiltshire up to the Kingdom of Fife and so stopped leading rides for us. Our loss is Scotlands gain.

    You can read more about Meredith here.

  • Group of people standing with bicycles outdoors on a sunny day, some wearing helmets and sunglasses, surrounded by trees and shrubs.

    KATE she / her

    Kate fills every ride she leads with laughter and joy. “Riding my bike with the NFORC has changed my life.

    I’m a 45 year old, single mum* with two boys and being on my bike and going off on bike packing trips brings great freedom, excitement and adventure.”

    Kate moved away from Southsea and now lives in Lewis. She leads rides with the excellent Neighbourhood Gravel.

“Essentially, an incubator for excellent people, to discover their leadership potential, get qualified, and go and dismantle the patriarchy”

— Nic Carass, NFORC community member

 When looking for new ride leaders, we look for people that will grow our culture, not fit it.