Earlier this year we launched Everyone Wins: a campaign to give grassroots racing a boost to ensure that it returns from the impacts of the pandemic bigger, better and stronger than ever before. We’ve been focusing on each of the disciplines of cycling to showcase exactly what’s on offer across the UK, but now it’s time to go behind the scenes with real-life riders sharing what it’s like to race your bike

Meet Elle

Based close to Epping Forest in Essex, Elle is a fitness professional and blogger, leads women-only rides as a Breeze Champion and is training to be a Level 2 British Cycling coach. With huge amounts of experience across all things fitness, she is no stranger to a challenge and divides her time between running classes, riding bikes and spreading the word about some of the best new products to keep you fit.

Her proximity to the forest is no coincidence, with an aim this autumn and winter to get off-road and give cyclo-cross racing a try. With three separate leagues within touching distance, Elle is planning to ride a season of events and put her technical skills to the test, becoming a member of the super friendly cyclo-cross family.

Follow Elle: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Meet Billy

Billy is an all-rounder, riding and racing across most of the off-road disciplines. Though just 13, he has been interested in all things two wheels for ten years and shares this passion with his dad to travel across the UK and abroad to race events and go on some big bike trips.

Ticking off competition across BMX, downhill, four-cross and enduro this summer, Billy has been busy getting back into the swing of events – and picking up some impressive results along the way – including second place for his age group at the HSBC UK National 4X Championships at the beginning of August.

But first and foremost, Billy rides for the love of it. Whether hitting the trails with friends at the weekend, getting acrobatic with freestyle, combining a ride with a wild swim or lining up for his target race, it’s all about enjoying the variety of experiences the bike can provide in some truly stunning locations.

Follow Billy: Instagram |Twitter

Coming up

Keep an eye on our social accounts to follow Billy and Elle - and give them a follow yourself. We'll be highlighting elements of their training and getting along to races to show what the event experience is all about, hopefully giving anyone thinking about racing that extra motivation to get signed up and give it a go.