Why I am retiring

When I was 14, British cycling held a talent identity camp at my school. I was super into sport and signing up meant I could get out of a math’s lesson. The first round of testing was on the school’s sports field and I made it pass that. The second test was on a turbo trainer where they took more scientific measurements like power output. The third test was a mountain bike ride which I think was like a mental capability test to see if you’re up for the challenge. I got through all three rounds.

It meant I got invited on a week-long residential camp where they tried you out for different types of cycling. I made it onto the sprint squad for the Olympic development program. The only problem was I wasn’t very good at sprints. So, they moved me onto the program for endurance but because I’d focused on sprints for a year, I was rubbish. I got chucked off the program. I applied for the academy team and was told I wasn’t good enough. I tried the next year again and got the same result. Two years in a row British cycling told me I didn’t have it.

In the summer of 2010, I got glandular fever. When I recovered, I had 8 weeks until the national championships which was a track competition where people who weren’t on the British cycling system had a chance to beat those who were and force their way back in. It was my last chance to get back into the system. I was training three times a day, putting all my eggs into this basket. I medalled at all the events I entered in the championships. I got an email from Paul Manning who was the endurance squad coach for the team pursuit for London 2012. He asked if I wanted to come to Manchester to try out for the squad for the team pursuit. I was with 12 other girls who were all on the British team and I was the only outsider who wasn’t funded. I was driving four hours – there and back – every week, for a couple of sessions.

In the following weeks, I was selected for my first world championships. I won! From then on, I was on the program. I’m telling you this to be an encouragement. For anyone reading this and have aspirations, if you don’t make it onto a development program or academy, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to make it.

When I was first rejected, my parents said if you still want it, we’ll support you. My dad is a two-time winter Olympian in 84’ an 88’ in biathlon. My parents have always been supportive in a non-pushy way. They drove me every weekend up to South Wales velodrome so I could take part in a winter track league. I would not have been so successful in my career without them.

The highlights of my career are the obvious ones, the Olympic games in 2012, three world titles, Commonwealth Games bronze medal this year. Those are the pinnacle achievements in my career but there are some other moments that mean so much to me. 

They come from smaller events where I’ve had to come back from being told I wasn’t good enough, that I wasn’t going to make it. Coming back from a really bad accident is something I’ll cherish forever. In November 2014, I was riding in a training group. It was raining and there was a pothole covered in water. The person in front of me hit it and crashed. I went over the handlebars and the guy behind me rode into my back. He was over 100 kgs. I broke 10 ribs, punctured my lung, I was in intensive care. I was trying to stay calm but I thought, “I’m never going to ride a bike again.” But the day I came out of intensive care, I was on a gym bike in the hospital. There I was, with a tube coming out of my chest, determined to get back. I did 10 minutes. It was all I needed to give me a confidence boost.

Initially, I was so scared to ride on the road again but once I was out of the hospital and recovered, I trained hard.

The Tour of the Reservoir was my comeback race. It was a two-day stage race. It’s a smaller race in the UK compared to my other achievements but my story is one of continuously overcoming hardships as you’re likely finding out. Katie Archibald and I got away on the first stage. We stayed away until the end and I beat her in a sprint finish. A win in my first race back! The second day, I was third and got the overall win. I was coming back from injury and just wanted to get through the race but I’m so competitive, I just gave it my all. It was snowing! It was freezing! Conditions were horrendous! I didn’t care, to win that race was special, I’m proud of myself and that’s something I’ll always cherish from my riding career.  

The Commonwealth Games this year was another special moment. My sister and her boyfriend were travelling in Australia so came to watch. My parents arranged a trip to come over which was a once in a lifetime kind of trip for them. It was incredible to get a medal and share the moment with all of them. The previous Commonwealth Games, my uncle had just passed so I was in no headspace to do a good race. For me, it’s all about the journey and to share achievements with the people who were with you through it all is special.

I know my retirement announcement came as a shock to many.

I got to the point in my career where I’ve achieved everything I’ve dreamt of. I had to weigh up why I would carry on next year. Would that make me happier? One reason to continue is that it’s an income. It’s a job. Another reason is I’m an achiever so I would carry on to better myself. I gave all of that some thought and came to the conclusion that I achieved everything I set out with my heart. I needed to be brave and call it a day while I’m at the top of my game. 

I wanted to finish having great memories and a great relationship with the sport. I’ve seen so many people stay on the bike for too long and get to the point where they hate it. I thought about next year. Maybe I could win the Women’s Tour or the Tour of Yorkshire where I podiumed this year but ultimately, that would not make me any happier than getting the unexpected results that I got this year.

I’m ready for the next chapter of our lives. My husband Matt has been such a great support. The life of an athlete is an incredibly selfish one and now I’m ready to give back. To give back to him and the family, as well as the younger athletes I intend on working with. Unfortunately, I’ve started retirement with a stress fracture in my foot after going for a run. I’m currently in a medical boot, but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt throughout my career, this mountain will be conquered and the overcoming will continue.