Wheels of change at Hub Velo CC

As we continue to ride out of the global pandemic, there’s never been a better time to get on a bike. Data from British Cycling and Strava recorded a significant uplift in people across the UK jumping on their bikes during lockdown, especially women, which has only served to reinforce the positive social, health and environmental benefits that cycling offers.  

However, the sport we love faces serious challenges to raise its standards at both national and local level. Part of our mission at Hub Velo CC is to be the most inclusive and accessible cycling community in East London.

Two of our most inspiring voices and committee members, Werdah Hussain and Shuhena Islam, are helping to accelerate our ambitions. We sat down with both of them to understand their shared aspirations that go beyond our club to create greater access for minorities, and stronger female representation in our cycling networks.

Werdah: Why did you get into cycling? 

I was a regular at spin classes at the gym, but I was a bit bored of sweating in a dark room and wanted to see more green spaces and find the hills. I really wanted to meet more people and make some new friends, who also loved cycling.

Shuhena: What were your earliest memories of cycling? 

I learned to ride aged 20 with a Muslim women’s group in Victoria Park. I first tried a road bike in Dubai on the AlQudra track and loved it. 

Werdah: Can you tell us about your favourite memories on the bike?

There are so many. It’s hard to pinpoint. The descents are always better than the climbs. One that does stand out is doing a solo 300k to Stonehenge and back to celebrate my 30th birthday during lockdown. It was not only a celebration of turning 30 in a pandemic, but of how far my cycling had come.

Shuhena: What attracted you to Hub Velo?

I was familiar with Rapha and going to their mechanic workshops run by Louis. I said I wanted to ride with a slower, more welcoming group as 25kph was way too fast at the time. He suggested I join Hub Velo in 2018, and although I got dropped within five seconds on my first ride, Gary (Boyd) stayed with me and I have kept coming back ever since. 

Werdah: Can you describe your role on the committee?

I’m the BAME champion. My responsibility is both to promote diversity and inclusion at the club. Diversity meaning bringing more ethnic diversity to the club, and to the decisions made as a club & committee. Inclusion means ensuring that people across the club feel comfortable and welcomed on every ride and social.

Shuhena: What about your role?

I am the club’s women’s champion. Unofficially, I was already supporting our women in cycling agenda, but I also want to support the club’s female members. I thoroughly enjoyed leading the Women’s 100 ride and then the women’s Zwift rides during the winter. Hosting Juliana Buhring for International Women’s Day was a personal highlight. I’m hoping to resume Women’s only rides both on the road and in Watopia during the winter!

Photo by @andydonohoephoto

Shuhena: What are some of the barriers that are preventing more women and ethnic minorities from getting into cycling? 

There are many challenges - cultural, financial, lack of access, lack of confidence - as cycling is statistically a male dominated sport. We can’t expect women to feel empowered to ride overnight. We don’t see as many role models, as there are not a million female, ethnic influencers riding bikes in the same way there are in the makeup and fashion industries for example. Cycling isn’t usually a sport you can try at school either. I was always academically bright, but struggled with sport and PE. I only realised how much I loved road bikes aged 27. We really need to encourage younger kids to take it up so they don’t become disillusioned adults!

Werdah: How is Hub Velo making riding more accessible? What is the one thing clubs can do to encourage better representation amongst minorities?

New or prospective members are always welcome to our rides, and specific beginners rides have started. Clubs can make sure that they are welcoming, open spaces and ask their riders what they need and want.

There are tons of great things about joining a club. From meeting new people, to finding great routes, getting tips on how to improve your riding, not being worried about getting lost, and most importantly finding out where the best coffee & cake stops are. 

Werdah: You recently did the Rapha Women’s 100. What are these events about? And why would you recommend giving them a go?

Rapha describe it really well: The Women's 100 brings riders from around the globe together to cover 100 kilometers in a day. This year, the Women’s 100 celebrated all cyclists who push themselves to break new ground, whether that’s riding further than before or cycling to work for the first time. Everything starts with you, your goals and your measurements of success. Be proud of what you and the women around you can achieve. Become an everyday trailblazer.

I led a ride this year for the Women’s 100, which was great fun. I got to meet lots of new people, celebrate riding together and feel so strong as a collective. I’d highly recommend these types of rides because they really do feel like a party! 

Shuhena: You’re among the most active members of Hub Velo, and recently did London-to-Paris. Beyond riding with us on a Saturday, what other networks are you involved in? What opportunities are available? 

I honestly ride with anyone and everyone who asks. I make instagram friends, and like networking at my local cafe. I recently met the head of the Sikh Cycling Network and it was a real enlightening experience to meet a fellow rider, who distinctly carries their faith in their attire.  

For women I’d strongly advise Coach Watto’s training rides on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6.30am at Regent’s Park Inner Circle. It’s painful to wake up, but the chain gangs, the group riding skills, the coffee friends you’ll make are invaluable! 

I founded a Sisters’ Cycling club aimed at beginner riders and Muslim women. There are other groups like Women of Colour Collective, who I recently did a bikepacking trip with. Ridefest is another diversity group I have ridden with, who welcome any new black riders, but anyone is welcome to join. Velociposse is another club which supports women and non binary riders and I was part of them in 2019.

Personally I’d recommend people join mainstream clubs. I love riding with Hub Velo and don’t feel different because of how I look or dress. I did 210km, my longest ride, with 5 men in our club. I was never made to feel different, or that I was the only woman, I just wished I could keep up 😂 which is about capability not gender. 

Werdah: Why do we need to do more to champion diversity in cycling?

Road cycling has typically been seen as a white, male, straight, cisgender middle classed sport. This doesn’t represent Hackney, London or the world today. Celebrating and championing diversity within cycling will have a snowball effect - encouraging more people from more walks of life and backgrounds to join.

Photo by @andydonohoephoto

Shuhena: There’s a lot of resources and people to follow on social media. Who are your favourite accounts to follow?

I love some women’s accounts like @steezycollective and @newforestoffroadclub, which have a guide of recommendations of accounts to follow. To educate yourself more about mechanicals, @londonbikekitchen and @stayercycles are great. I follow Cycling Tips and Rouleur to engage with cycling racing and get my fix of news. For product reviews DC Rainmaker is great. Influencers like Francis Cade, and accounts like Legion are great places to see how cycling and diversity is changing. You can’t beat real life interactions though! 

Werdah:  If cycling wants to be more representative of the communities in which we live, what changes would you like to see?

I think the upfront cost of a bike is a big barrier to entry. If there could be an easy way to hire a bike and other necessary bits, that would allow more people to do some tasters before investing.

And your favourite routes…

Werdah: https://www.strava.com/routes/22800028 

Shuhena: https://www.strava.com/routes/2816060453235912728

Every Saturday, Hub Velo invites non-members to join our entry-level Latte ride where you can meet some of our new and long-term members, learn about the club and check out some of our favourite routes around Essex.

We also run special introductory group rides for potential new members too. Our next one is hosted by Werdah on November 6th leaving from Hub Velo Cafe at 9am.

If you’re interested to learn more, drop us a DM on our Instagram channel @HubVeloCC or email us at hello@hubvelo.cc and we’ll reply as quickly as we can.