Rider Profile
Where’s Home?
South Lake District, Cumbria
Social Ride Location(s)?
In and around the South Lakes.
I like to vary social ride locations across the Central and South Lake District because there is so much fantastic mountain biking on offer. Having a bit of local knowledge can make a huge difference, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area or worried about getting lost. My aim is to share some of the trails and routes I've discovered over the years and help riders build the confidence to explore further afield. I hope my social rides provide a welcoming environment where riders can enjoy a great day out without the stress of navigation, route planning or wondering whether they're on the best trails.
Ride locations include Grizedale Forest and its extensive network of bridleways, as well as Loughrigg Fell, Iron Keld, Kentmere and the Langdale Valley. While every ride is slightly different, they all share the same focus on enjoying the outdoors, discovering new trails, riding at a social pace and, of course, stopping for coffee and cake along the way.
About You
Hi, I'm Lauren. I've been mountain biking for many years, and what I love most is exploring wild places. For me, it's about packing what I need for the day, heading out with a map, and seeing where a bridleway might lead. It doesn't have to be hard or technical, although I do enjoy the occasional challenging section of trail. I'm not the fastest rider and I'm certainly not the best jumper, but that's never been what mountain biking is about for me. I love discovering new places, stopping to take photos, and enjoying everything that being outdoors has to offer.
Over the years I've taken part in a variety of challenges, including bike orienteering (which is great fun), Traws Eryri (Trans Snowdonia), and enduro racing; I particularly enjoyed the Hope women's races because of how welcoming, supportive and fun they were. As a qualified Mountain Leader and experienced outdoor instructor, navigation and exploring new places have always been a big part of my life. I grew up in North Wales, but have lived in the Lake District for over ten years now, so I've been fortunate to have incredible mountains and natural trails right on my doorstep. Whatever the weather, my favourite thing to do is get outside and explore, whether that's on foot or by bike.
As a mum to two teenagers, a son and a daughter, I've seen first-hand the difference in participation opportunities for boys and girls in mountain biking. My son has never struggled to find people to ride with, whereas it's often been much harder for my daughter. She loves riding, so I ride with her regularly, but it's made me realise just how important female-focused riding groups are in helping women and girls feel welcome, build confidence and find a community within the sport.
Our family loves mountain biking and, in recent years, we've enjoyed exploring bike parks across Europe. This year we completed a tour that included Morzine, Lenzerheide, Saalbach and Sölden. Riding in bike parks has improved my skills and confidence significantly, and I can definitely see the value of trail centres and bike parks for progression. However, my heart will always belong to natural trails and the adventure of exploring somewhere new under my own steam. That's the side of mountain biking I most enjoy sharing with others.
Why SheRides?
I ride as a SheRides ambassador because I love the confidence, enjoyment and sense of community that mountain biking brings, and I want other women to experience that too through welcoming, supportive rides where they can make connections and enjoy riding together.
As a MTB Level 2 Leader and experienced outdoor instructor, I understand how intimidating it can be to get into adventurous sports like mountain biking, especially if you don’t know anyone, aren't sure where to ride, or how to get started. I believe it’s important for women to have a supportive network of like-minded riders who understand these concerns and can offer encouragement, advice and motivation. Having a space where women can chat about everything from bike maintenance and skills development to balancing riding with family life helps create the confidence and sense of belonging that keeps more women involved in the sport.
We can often feel apprehensive about venturing out onto the trails alone, worrying about getting lost, taking a wrong turn, or being injured with no one around to help. These concerns can become even greater as responsibilities grow, particularly for mums balancing family life and their own interests. I enjoy helping women overcome these barriers by providing a friendly, supportive environment where they can explore new routes, build confidence and discover that mountain biking doesn’t have to feel intimidating. As the parent of a teenage daughter, I’m also aware of how few girls participate in the sport, and I hope that by encouraging more women, especially mums, to get out and ride, they will feel confident enough to explore the trails with their daughters and inspire the next generation of female riders.
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