Although Trish Butchers has become one of the pillars of Bynea Cycling Club, especially for its female members, her cycling story only starts four years ago when she joined in on a Breeze Carmarthenshire ladies ride.
However, just a year later - having caught the cycling bug - Trish decided to become a ride leader level 1 and eventually went on to become a ride leader level 2. She also joined Bynea Cycling Club so that she could become a better cyclist, but she noticed something that annoyed her: often, she was the only female rider on club runs.
So her next step was to set up a ladies only ride and then a WhatsApp support group, where women could discuss their concerns or plan a ride together when they were free. It became a rapid success and Bynea now has 16 new female members who have joined the club since last year.
Trish said: “My aim was to have just a few extra ladies on their bikes but this has escalated and now they all support each other. In April this year we had all 16 ladies ride a 60-mile route. Some had only just joined but the smiling faces said it all.
“As I've progressed with my own cycling I've now decided to do a level 1 coaching course, this again will enable me to help others get stronger on circuit cycling, as this is something I enjoy doing. But without other people helping and volunteering I wouldn't have had these opportunities.
“The ladies OVO world tour is coming to Carmarthenshire on 15 June, so we are busy trying to promote our ladies rides on that day which we hope will encourage more women to join in.
“I love cycling as its takes me away from the hustle and bustle of daily work and life commitments. It gives me pleasure and fitness and I get to meet lots of different people from all walks of life along the way and eat and drink coffee and cake."
In April this year we had all 16 ladies ride a 60-mile route. Some had only just joined but the smiling faces said it all.
Trish Butchers
Trish received an incredible 14 nominations for this year’s 100 Women in Cycling, all of whom praised her sacrifice of time and energy to encourage the other female members of Bynea Cycling Club.
“I love Trish’s complete selflessness. She has given up her training time to give time to helping new ladies develop in cycling and introduce, support and encourage everyone, be it ladies or men. She is always the person who attends to the wounded and quite often missing out on her own riding due to this. She is a calm and beautiful individual,” said one.
Another said: “Trish encourages so many women to cycle and ensures their safety while sacrificing her own free time. I would not have continued cycling had it not been for her support and encouragement”
Another said: “She supports and encourages everyone she comes into contact with. She's one of the nicest person i have ever met. As a novice cyclists two years ago, she's given me the courage to enter my first TT (time trial) this year, and I can't thank her enough.”
And another said: “Quite simply she’s amazing. I first met Trish when I nervously turned up for a beginner bike ride and straight away she put me at ease. She stayed with me encouraging me all the way. Since then with her guidance and support I have recently completed a 40-mile bike ride. I would never have done that without her amazing support and encouragement She’s like that with everyone - she’s so caring and makes you believe in yourself.”
Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to cycle.
