With British Cycling reporting a massive inbalance between its male and female members and clubs also struggling to attract women to their clubs, we visitied Marsh Tracks Cycling Centre in Rhyl, North Wales to see how they've managed to attract women to their sessions and in the process, signpost them to their local club.

The traffic free floodlit circuit at Marsh Tracks along with toilets, changing room and a classroom is the ideal location to host female only coaching sessions for beginner and intermediate riders. The coaching sessions were instigated by coaches from local club, VC Melyd who also coach at the sessions. They used social media and word of mouth to publicise the sessions and they've had 25-30 ladies turning up every week since they started back in July.

Our North Wales Cycling Development Officer, Ann Williams went along to one of their sessions to gain an insight into what goes on at these sessions and to chat to the ladies about their new found hobby...

Debbie Warring

''My husband rides a lot and is a member of a club. I would moan a lot at him as he would be out all weekend on his bike and when he came back from his rides, he’d either be cleaning his bike or on the internet looking at bike stuff.

A lady from the club asked if I wanted to go on rides with the club. I had no confidence and declined her offer as they would be riding on the roads and I hated riding on the roads, I would have much preferred riding on the cycle paths. I saw a group on Facebook promoting the coaching sessions and I was one of the first ladies to book on.

I attended the first session on my hybrid and felt I had to work much harder then the rest of the group who were on road bikes. Luckily Marsh Tracks have a fleet of road bikes to hire out so I borrowed one of those for the next session and absolutely loved it, so much so that by the following week I had gone out and bought myself my own road bike!

The sessions have increased my confidence and since starting, I have joined a club (VC Melyd), met lots of new friends and improved my fitness massively. I do a bit of scuba diving and I noticed this year that I was using significantly less air from the tank than the previous year which showed an increase in my fitness levels. I also used to hate hills but now that my fitness has improved, I have to beg my husband to take me hill rep training! The sessions have actually strengthened my marriage as we can now both go out cycling and look at bike stuff together! I used to complain to my workmates about the hours my husband spent on his bike, now they never hear me complain, they just think I’m mad as well!

In terms of my next goal, I will be going on a training camp with the club next year to Spain. If there are clubs out there looking at attracting new members, I’d recommend that they have different level rides to cater for all abilities. Our group is called the intermediate group as opposed to beginners and we enjoy riding whilst also having a chat and stopping at a café.''

Linda Carruthers

''Prior to the coaching sessions, I would commute a few times a week on the bike. I had a road bike sitting in the garage unused as I had no confidence in going out on it!

Since attending the sessions, my confidence and skills have improved vastly and I have since joined the local club, VC Melyd. I was a keen runner before and compared to a running club, the social side of cycling is fantastic; you can easily chat whilst cycling and stop at a café enroute!

I used to hate hills but now I love them! I completed the local sportive, Gran Fondo Bach which included a lap of the Great Orme at the end. I was chuffed that I was able to ride around the Orme without stopping. Since then I have completed an 80mile ride from my home and finished on Anglesey. We set off in the early hours of the morning and had a massive ice cream at the end to celebrate!

I had an accident a few weeks ago and broke my wrist. I still attend the coaching sessions even though I can’t take part as I enjoy watching and catching up with the ladies. I wished I had taken up cycling at an earlier age as I would have loved to have a go at racing. My goals for next year would be to complete the Gran Fondo Mawr and a challenge such as London to Paris or a coast to coast challenge.''

Sue Nash

''My son (Jack who races for Marsh Tracks Race Team) and my husband cycle a lot and even though I attended a couple of fitness classes every week, I thought I would never be able to keep up with the other ladies and would be nowhere good enough to try it out myself. Jack seemed to think the same as he laughed when I mentioned I was going to attend the coaching sessions. However when he turned up and saw me riding around, he was quite impressed!

I borrowed Jack’s winter bike, enjoyed the session and went out and bought myself my own bike. Jack was very helpful with selecting which products to buy and was very jealous of my new kit, especially the shoes as they were better than the ones he had!

I’ve really enjoyed the sessions, even the ones where it’s been poor weather as the ladies have still all turned up! The local club, which I’ve joined, had a mid week ride through the summer which I really enjoyed as it was roughly a 25 mile ride, I don’t want to go out and do long rides. The furthest I’ve ridden so far is 38 miles. Next year I’d like to complete 40-50 miles, but no more. My next goal will be to conquer my fear of hills!''

Kath Sparrow

''I cycled quite a bit before attending the coaching sessions at Marsh Tracks. I had heard of the Breeze network and I would travel over the border to attend rides over in the Wirral. Then I came across a female member of VC Melyd who asked if I wanted to join in with club rides on a Saturday morning, so I went along and loved it. I saw a group on Facebook advertising the coaching sessions at Marsh Tracks and thought I’d go along.

Prior to the coaching sessions, even though I could ride my bike, I was very nervous riding around other people and riding in traffic. The coaching sessions have improved my group riding skills which has then increased my confidence on the club rides.

I used to attend spinning classes but found them to be boring, full of sweaty people and it was all very unsocial as everyone would dash home at the end of the sessions. By taking part in the coaching sessions and joining the club, I have enjoyed meeting lots of other people and enjoy the social aspect of the sport very much.

Next year my target is to complete a 100km ride. My workmates think I’m mad when I tell them what I get up to and the miles that I do on the bike! My advice to clubs looking at increasing their female membership would be to have relaxed rides that cater for slower riders.''

Did you know....

If your club is looking to increase its female membership but is lacking resources, there is a £1500 Community Chest grant (on top of the regular £1500 pot) for clubs to spend on venue & coach hire, hall hire for turbo sessions, equipment, coach education and more. For more information, contact one of our Cycling Development Officers or take a look at our funding page.